The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 49

But my doubts are soon proven wrong as I hastily eat my sandwich and rest my head back on the pillow again, totally beat. I curl up in my blankets, at least content in the knowledge that I don’t have to get up early, because candidates aren’t even expected back until dinner time.

Still, my last thoughts are – inevitably – about Luca, wishing he’d stayed, wishing we’d had chance to talk more – even for a few minutes – or for a few more hours…

My dreams tonight are unusually vivid, and I feel more conscious in them than I usually do. I blink, looking around at the hazy birch forest, which is somehow bright even though it’s edged with fog. I turn my head, considering the pretty white trees with their leaves turning golden for autumn, pleased and surprised. And then I run my hands down over my favorite white nightgown from home – relishing the soft feel of it beneath my palms. Smiling, I next run my fingers through the long length of my hair, which I never get to do anymore because it’s always tucked up under that little cap –

“Hello?” a voice calls, and I go very still.

Who the – who the hell is that?

And suddenly, as I peer through the forest, I instantly recognize Luca, even though he’s standing far away. I groan a little, because of course I can’t stop thinking about him even when I’m asleep – hell, I fell asleep thinking about him, wanting to spend more time…

“Seriously, where the hell am I?” Luca mutters, his voice carrying through the trees.

And suddenly my eyes go wide because….

Because…

My mind flashes back to what my mom and Aunt Cora have told me before –

About meeting their mates in the dream state –

Which they can only do once they’ve met, and invited them there –

I gasp, slapping my hands over my mouth as I realize that…

“Who’s there?” Luca calls, turning towards my gasp.

Frantic I dart away, hiding behind a tree. “Fuck, fuck!” I hiss, peeking out and seeing him walking closer.

My breath comes in fast pants as I panic – because he can’t see me here – he can’t see me like this – even if he does figure out that this is just a dream, he’ll have seen me in a dress with long hair! And he’s not stupid – he’ll remember it in real life and put the pieces together!

I clench my fists at my side, forcing myself to think –

I press my eyes shut, willing the dream to end.

No, my wolf says, her voice echoing out loud now – because she’s in my head and so am I now.

“Let me out!” I hiss, looking around for her.

No! she says, more cheerfully this time. Play with him! We need this!

Cursing, I listen carefully and panic when I hear Luca’s footsteps moving closer

“Hello?” he calls again. “Seriously, is there someone there?”

My heart starts to seriously pound when suddenly I realize that…that this is my dream, right?

And if it’s my dream…I have control.

I look down at myself, willing my nightgown to change…and suddenly, it’s gone, replaced by my grey candidate uniform. I gasp and reach up, realizing that my hair has been tucked into my cap as it always is.

And, slowly, I start to smile.

That’s my girl, my wolf says, huffing a wolfy little laugh. Now go!

And, smiling, cursing myself for being an idiot and taking needless risks…I step out from behind the tree.

“Hey,” I say, and Luca turns to stare at me.