The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0376

"That's it," I say, finishing up. And Luca turns back to me, glaring a little, seeking more than that- wanting an apology, for me to say that I regret it, that I did him wrong.

But I lift my chin, just slightly, and don't say anything else. Because I don't regret it - and I didn't do anything wrong. I am sorry that I hurt his feelings, and that it came out looking like I betrayed him.

But.

I don't regret it, and I'm not lying. My wolf's intentions aside - because those are her own business - I didn't do anything to betray Luca. Not a damn thing.

Luca studies me for a long moment, still clearly angry and feeling betrayed. Then he takes a single step towards me, looking at me hard. "Did you fuck him last night?"

My mouth drops open as I stare at him, appalled.

The room bursts into noise as Jesse shouts "whoa!" and Rafe storms forward, snapping out Luca's name. Jackson growls, low and resonant, but he tucks himself against his bedroom wall, his arms crossed, his head down, clearly working very hard to not engage and to let me handle it.

Luca, but Luca doesn't look at either of them. He just keeps his eyes fixed

say, crossing my arms and lifting my chin. "I

at me, hard, reminding me that I very much wanted to - and that I would have - and that I wouldn't have the opportunity to

it? It's better to have waited, instead of having this be the fallout. If I had lost my virginity this morning and

and he drops his arms, and drops his head, and stumbles

of Luca's anger was a front - how much of it was a desperate fear that he'd lost me, that Jackson had marked me, claimed me, and that

that... that nothing has

whispers, his voice trembling. "...I can't do

his head against me, even as

hands to his head, cupping it in my palms and holding him close." If I have to worry about this constantly? About being by your side

at me now, and the heartbreak in

my head at him, feeling absolutely terrible. I never, ever want

But...

how do I balance