The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0510

around. And that's...difficult for me."

"All right. I just...have very little time alone with you now, Ariel," Luca says, straightening up and slipping his hands into his pockets as he, apparently, adjusts himself to the knowledge that his time-share deal with Jackson is apparently dead. "At least, time without him "It's difficult for me too," I say quietly, my eyes going a little wide when I see the sadness on his face, hating it. "But...I mean, at school I have very little time for...anything. It's not that I don't want to spend time alone with you, Luca, I just...don't know when that would be." "Well, do you think we could meet in the dream state more?" he says quietly, taking a hand from his pocket and casting it out in front of him, seeking some medium ground. "We haven't done that in a while and -"

"No," I say instantly, knowing that it's impossible, shaking my head.

Luca's eyes go wide as he stares at me, completely shocked by my answer.

And inside, I know that in terms of giving my mates equal time with me, I'm being completely unfair.

But honestly, the idea of laying physically in bed with Jackson while I meet with Luca in the dream forest, where there's another bed? And do... the things that we do there?

immediately, a little sick

little bit. "So," he sputters out - not so much angry now as feeling incredibly sad, and jealous, and a little betrayed, "Jackson

a little in my eagerness to say something to

- harder this time

you what he wanted, after all, even

slowly close my mouth as I realize that she's...completely right. And while I hated when Luca did that to me...there has to come a time when I tell Luca, honestly, what I really want

I'm really sorry if this is hard to hear," I say, pressing both of my hands to my chest as my voice cracks with the terrible emotion

step towards him, "you and I had so much time in the dream state alone - for months, before Jackson even knew I was

shaking his head from side to side, his own voice tight as he stares at me, willing me to see how this is totally different. I wasn't splitting time then. And I'm

hanging my head a little and taking a deep breath, working hard to stay steady in my convictions. "I'm sorry, Luca," I say quietly. "This

a fierce little yip in my soul,

a hand to cover his eyes. He stays that way for a long moment, shutting down the flow of emotions down our bond, clearly adjusting to this new reality and finding a way to deal with