The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 113

But Luca – either he doesn’t notice the question in my eyes or he ignores it. Because he just shrugs and turns back to the room. “Come on,” he calls back to me, heading for his corner of the couch. “Let’s eat.”

I just stare as I watch him – because this was our moment. No one was going to notice if we had a private chat for a few seconds –

But Luca, he walked away like…like he doesn’t want to have that chat.

Or doesn’t know we need it? I groan a tiny little groan, putting my face in my hands for a second, trying to deal with my frustration even as I simultaneously try to wake up.

“Are you okay, Ari?” Rafe says as Luca falls gracefully onto the sofa, grabbing a book out of his bag as he stretches out his legs, taking up nearly the entire length. “We had a consultation about whether or not to wake you – a fairly loud consultation – and when you slept through it Jesse persuaded me to let you out of workout tonight and let you rest.”

“You’re a prince, Jesse,” I call to him, my words muffled against my palms.

“Duke,” he corrects, standing and heading for the dumbwaiter when the bell sounds again.

Seriously? How can it be time for dinner, when I just ate…

But when my stomach grumbles, I realize that I must have slept much, much more than I thought.

I get up, stretching myself before heading to my corner of the couch, but when I get there…Luca doesn’t move his feet.

“Luca,” I say, swatting the toe of his boot with my hand. “One, boots off the furniture.”

He smirks, but doesn’t look up at me.

“And two,” I continue, putting my hands on my hips. “Move! You’re in my spot.”

“Sorry, Shrimp,” he murmurs, turning his page, his eyes fastened to his text. “You’ll have to find a new space – we’re having a studious dinner tonight, and I need to lounge while I study. Otherwise the info doesn’t stick.” He taps his temple with his finger, letting me see precisely where he wants the info to go.

My jaw drops. “Luca!” I say, swatting him again. “This is my room! My furniture!”

“And you,” he says, looking up at me now with a little smirk on his lips, “have an entire nook to yourself, complete with bed and desk! I would suggest you make use of your surplus of study spots and leave me to the paltry couch!”

I just stare at him, realizing, quite suddenly that…

That Luca is icing me out.

That he doesn’t give a shit about studying – that he’s actively refusing to talk to me.

As Luca sees me put the pieces together, his smirk grows.

Oh my god, I say internally, glaring at him. You are so god damn petty.

He grins, shaking his head almost like he understood my words through my expression, dropping his head again to his book.

Punishment! I can almost hear him saying, every smug line in his body confirming it. You’re withholding secrets from me for weeks? Time for a taste of your own medicine.

I scoff, bitter, but storm away, climbing back into my bed and pulling my chemistry book into my lap, so angry that I could spit. I mean, seriously? He wants to play games now!?

Fine. Fine. If Luca wants to be petty, then two can play at this game. I seethe, attempting to concentrate on my textbook, blocking out all sound and distraction from the outside world. I scribble furiously in my notebook, not truly processing the information, but not caring because I’m so livid at my stupid mate that I can’t even –

A plate appears in front of me, wrapped knife and fork perched neatly on its side.

“Oh,” I say, and then I laugh at myself for being surprised. I mean, obviously I knew dinner was coming, I heard the dumbwaiter and saw Jesse get up to receive it. “Thanks,” I murmur, lifting my eyes to show my gratitude to whoever…

But I freeze immediately, completely shocked to see my mate holding the plate out to me.

But not Luca.

The other one.