The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 44

I roll my eyes at him, exasperated. “I don’t know what your problem is with me, Wright, but it would be great if you could get over it until we’re through this. I’m not fucking with you – the bark can be used to make a container for the water. So – will you just go find it?”

Alan stares at me for a long moment but then turns and heads into the woods, his hands fists at his sides. Luca winks at me and gives me a little salute before heading in the opposite direction. I take a glance over at Graham and Perry, who are busy tying the fishing wire to long sticks. Pleased to see them busy, I get started with the fire.

After arranging the flat rocks in a circle, I create a small pile of dry brush in the center. Then, kneeling quite close to the pile of brush, I use the machete to scape some magnesium on the back of the flint. Leaning close, I strike the flint with the metal edge of the blade, sending sparks onto the pile.

The magnesium lights in a flash and when one of the sparks catches, I’m ready for it. I lean forward, blowing gently on the flame to give it oxygen. I dangle some dry brush above the baby flame so it has something to consume. It stutters for a moment, but the flame greedily takes the bait, starting to flare. I grin, pleased, and sit back on my heels, starting to add some small sticks.

“Wow,” a voice says, and I blink, looking up at the Lieutenant, who nods at me. “That was…that was crazy fast.”

“Thanks,” I say, giving a pleased little nod. Fire – it’s never really been hard for me. I’ve always even been faster than Rafe and Jesse with this part. The lieutenant nods again, making a notation on his clipboard, and I grin, realizing that I’m getting credit for making the fire.

By the time Luca come back with two handfuls of berries, the fire is burning cheerfully and I’ve started adding small logs that I’ve hacked up with the machete. “Holy shit,” he says, his eyebrows going up. “Did you – did you do that?”

“No,” I say, looking at him with blank sarcasm. “When you were gone the Lieutenant tossed me a lighter.”

“That is…seriously impressive, Shrimp,” Luca says and I grin, stupidly pleased at his compliment as I stand up and reach out my hands.

“Show me what you’ve got, pretty boy,” I say, teasing. Luca laughs as he drops his haul into my hands. I sigh as I quickly sort through the selection. “No luck,” I murmur, tossing the berries into the fire. “None of those are edible.”

“How do you know that?” he says, looking mournfully after his bounty.

“Why do you keep asking me these things? I already told you – I went camping.”

“With like, the King?” Luca asks, wrinkling his nose a little in disbelief.

“Yes,” I say, grinning at him a little. “Except, we don’t call him the King. We just call him…Uncle Dom.” Or, dad. Uncle Dom is just what Jesse and his siblings calls him.

“That’s so weird,” Luca breathes, shaking his head at me, making me grin.

“I found the fat tree,” Alan says ruefully, coming into the clearing and renewing his glare.

“Show me” I say, giving him a thumbs up. Scowling – seriously, does this guy ever cheer up? – Alan leads Luca and I into the woods. I grab the machete on our way. It doesn’t take long to get to the tree Alan selected and I nod – it will work.

“Okay,” I sigh, lifting the giant knife, “this is going to take a while. I need you two to go back and feed the fire while I work. Just…keep giving it more wood, make it burn really high and really hot. And when it gets really hot and there start to be coals beneath the live flames, start putting those round stones into the embers.”

“Why?” Alan asks, his voice snotty, and I turn to glare at him.

“Because little elves told me to, Alan,” I say, totally dry. “Does it matter? Just do it.”

Luca bursts out laughing and Alan glares at me, but Luca pats Alan on the back and leads him away. I shake my head, starting to cut and peel back a large swatch of the birch bark.

“It’s gonna be a long night,” I murmur to myself as I work.

Yes! My wolf says, trotting back and forth inside of me. Let’s stay all night – we can sit with Luca under the stars! We can share a blanket by the fire – cuddle up! We can –

“Oh my god,” I sigh, doing my best to ignore her.

But honestly? I’d be lying if I said that I don’t share some of her impulses.

Because the opportunity to hang out with Luca alone, at night, under the stars? Well. I’m not going to get very many opportunities to do that with Rafe glowering over my shoulder.

So…do I take advantage of this opportunity?

Or just let it pass?

And if I did decide to take advantage of it…

What would that look like, precisely? I bite my lip, my stomach fluttering as I consider it.