The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy



"I honestly think Rafe would want you there," Luca says, giving Daphne a lazy shrug. "He's upset, but he's a good guy - I'm sure he still wants to be friends."

Is that true? I ask Luca down our bond, kind of surprised. I mean, I've never known Rafe to hang out with his ex's before - but then again, I'm not sure I knew he was dating anyone.

Oh, no, he's still in love with her, Luca says, flashing his eyes to me and fighting a smile. But he told me he's going to try and get her back - why not give him the opportunity?

My eyes go a bit wide at this, but I quickly look back at Daphne, not wanting her to know we were talking about her mind-to-mind.noveldrama

The little quirk at the corner of her lips lets me know I've failed in that a bit, but I give her my best princess grin in turn. "Come on, Daph," I say, squeezing her hand. "I'll talk to him about it and if he says it would make him uncomfortable then I'll send a note saying don't come. But please think about it?"

Daphne bites her lip but then exhales a long breath and nods. "Okay," she says, smiling hesitantly. "If Rafe would be okay with it...I have to admit, I'd love to come. I miss you guys!"

"And we miss you too!" I say, laughing and moving across the bed to sit at my friend's side, slipping an arm around her waist. “Now that the issue of your attendance is settled, on to bigger and more important things. Luca was telling me that he developed a new line for picking up women. He wants to try it on you."

Daphne bursts out laughing and turns to Luca, expectant. Luca, always game, immediately reaches for her hand and gives her a smoldering look. "Daphne, little bird," he says, pitching his voice low. "All of your emotions are brilliant, but —“

But he doesn't get any further than that, because the two of us are laughing too hard for him to continue. Luca joins in, scolding us and shouting that we have to let him try again. But even if he doesn't get very far, I have to admit - my soul feels lighter than it did two hours ago.

I beam at Luca, who is so lovely, who I know has a great deal to do with the unburdening of my soul. He beams back at me, sending a flash of love down the bond, before turning back to our friend and continuing on our project to cheer her up.

An hour or so later, Luca walks me back to my room. "I'll leave you here," he murmurs, using the hand pressed to my lower back to pull me tight against him, looking down into my eyes. "I want to get a good night's sleep so I can kick your ass tomorrow in the Game."

I grin up at him, shaking my head. "Not a chance, Grant. Gonna snipe you off the field - right off your feet, first thing. You don't even have a shot."

Luca laughs but then closes the

distance between us, kissing me hard and swift like he's been waiting all night to do it – and which,

honestly he probably has. A soft et

squeak echoes in my chest as wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him back for all that I'm worth. We stay that way for probably much longer than we should, until Luca lets out a shaky exhale and pulls away.

"You sleep tight, gorgeous," he murmurs, his fingers tracing over my face.

"You too," I whisper. But when he

ne

moves to step away I grab his arm, pulling him back. "Luca," I say, half on impulse and half desperate at the memory of the Goddess's threat that if don't get his mark within three months that I'll lose him. "Can time

we can we spend more

together? Like this? Just me and you? I...I really had fun, even if we spent it with Daphne, and we should..." I shrug, letting him fill in the blanks.

But Luca bursts into a brilliant smile, cupping my face in his hands. "I would love that, Ariel," he says, beaming down at me. "I know it's hard to find the time but...we should do that. And nothing would make me happier."

"Good," I whisper, standing on my toes and giving him another brisk kiss.

"Love you," he murmurs, kissing my forehead and then starting out down the hall, glancing over his shoulder at me as he goes.

I stand by the door, leaning against

the wall, watching until I can't see him any more, biting my lip.

—

Because I mean, I adore Luca - and he's so important to me. But

el.

Jackson really has been taking up the majority of my time and emotion lately. It's not necessarily that I feel guilty about that I just...

I don't know. Do I need to even out the time I'm spending with both of my mates?

My wolf nips at me inwardly, giving me a little growl and urging me inside the room. I sigh and nod to her as I reach for the door, pushing it open, because she's right – I am tired, and hungry, and have other things to worry about right now.