The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 155

Are we okay? I ask quietly mind-to-mind, and Luca’s face instantly softens.

Ariel, of course we’re okay, he replies, shaking his head slightly as he slips his hand into mine beneath the table. I’m not mad at you – I just don’t trust that guy. But you and me? We’re fine.

I smile then, pleased to hear it.

But inwardly my wolf paces and I do my best to tuck the anxiety away, because I don’t want Luca to feel it.

You need to tell him, she says to me, nudging my soul with her nose. Not fair – he thinks he’s your only mate. He needs to know.

I feel like howling alongside her as I realize that she’s right.

But honestly, how do you break that to someone? I drop my eyes to the table, but look up again when Luca squeezes my hand. He raises an eyebrow at me and I put a smile on my face, nodding and turning back to the food as Rafe calls my name.

“Hmm?” I say, turning towards him.

“Are you going to be late?” he asks, turning his head at me.

“For what?” I ask, completely distracted.

“Alvarez’s office hours,” he replies, looking at me like I’m a bit of an idiot for letting it slip my mind.

“Oh!” I say, jumping a bit. “Oh my god,” I glance up at the clock on the wall, “I am going to be late – shit –“ I scurry to my feet, and Luca stands too, dropping my hand so Rafe doesn’t see.

“I’ll walk you,” he says, dead casual, like he was getting up anyway.

“No, that’s okay,” Rafe stands up, all duty, “I’ll –“

“Seriously,” Luca says, lifting his chin towards the full plate of food and cup of coffee in front of my brother. “Finish up, it’s fine. I’m done.” He waves his hands towards his clean plate. “Plus, I’m going to get to the gym, hit the bag a few times.” He lifts his fists then, taking up his boxer’s stance.

Rafe grins, pleased. “That’s a good idea. You’ve got a nation to represent.”

“Damn straight,” Luca says, giving my brother his best celebrity grin before nodding me towards the door. And then the two of us walk out of the Hall together. We chat idly, I think both of us knowing that this is not the time to have a conversation about Jackson McClintock – thank god - and so Luca just tells me about his workout plans.

I mean, not much of what Luca says about that workout makes sense to me, but I’m used to boys telling me enthusiastically about their athletics, so I nod along. When we get to Alvez’s office door, Luca glances around and then puts a hand on my shoulder, letting it slide slowly down my arm until our fingertips barely brush.

“See you at dinner?” he murmurs.

“Workout good,” I reply, smiling up into his perfect face. Luca grins back and then starts down the hall just as Alvez’s door opens.

I turn in surprise to look up into my professor’s handsome face. “Ah, Sinclair,” he says, and I go stiff to hear him use my actual last name, even though there’s no one around to hear. “So nice of you to heed my summons and join me for a little…chat.”

But the way his mouth spreads into a wide grin?

I’m very, very aware that this is going to be much more than a chat.

Sighing inwardly and doing my best to be polite to this man who is holding my secrets over my head like a sack of bricks, I put on my best Princess smile and step into Alvez’s office.

He closes the door behind us.