The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0683

"Hey," Luca says, giving me a small smile and wrapping an arm around my shoulder as we, too, start towards the castle. "That was insane, as usual."

"Luca," I say quietly, looking up at him, brushing off the niceties. "What's wrong?"

His face tenses and he looks away from me. "Nothing's wrong."

I stop in my tracks, not letting him do this. "Luca."

He sighs and looks back at me. "What do you want me to say, Ariel?"

"I want you to say the truth, Luca," I reply, staring up at him. "You don't like this. I can tell that you don't like this. And you can't just...hold it in and be silent about it. You're part of this and you're my mate - I need to know where you stand." Luca huffs a little, looking down at me. "I do like it -"

I take a deep breath, looking up into his face, shaking my head. Because he's lying and we both know it.

He groans, turning away from me for a moment, putting his hands on his hips and hanging his head. I give him the time, letting him put his thoughts together.

the ones who's been talking about magic all semester, experimenting with it. I've been actively excluded from that group for months and then I'm summoned by your mom and all of a sudden you ask me to hold your

I'm aware of what Tony pointed out earlier - that Luca here is feeling very real emotions, and he's allowed to be freaked out by the magic. But he is again making

recognition of the incredible things that I did yesterday and today. It's just...all about what

want my mom to send that therapist to the school as fast as she can. Because I am way, way out of my depth regarding how to talk to him and not

that

quietly. “But I'll do whatever can in the future to ensure that you're included. And m sorry ift didn't fight for you to included

this. I'll try to

better in the future."

and he takes my hands and pulls me close. "It's

throat tight. Because I honestly feel like I'm kicking him when he's down, and I'm not

up at me in surprise. "What? Do you...do

want to,"

were feeling last night instead of just sending me a note. And I think you could be more excited for me at this

says, gasping a little. "I'm allowed to take