The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 303

I’m quiet for a moment, thinking of the ways that Bruce’s assessment of his nephew – who is so much more of a son to him – line up with my own experiences with my mate. It’s true that Luca is emotional, though I’m not sure I’d have thought of him that way before now.

Luca’s willful, and bossy, and controlling – and he can be a little petty when things go his way, like when he didn’t talk to me after he found out, in the dream state, that I’m a girl. But I guess I never attributed all of that to Luca being hot-blooded, as it were. Of being someone who feels things so strongly that he has trouble controlling his intense reactions to them.

I turn my head for a moment, a little lost in my thoughts, because…well, because I think I’ve been thinking lately that Jackson is the more emotional of my two mates, deep down.

But secretly, is it Luca? Does he have an entire well of emotion that he likes to keep veiled under a thousand confident smiles and jokes?

God, how did I miss that?

“I hope we can rely on you,” Bruce says quietly, again drawing my attention back to him. “To…help Luca.”

“Of course you can,” I say instantly, meaning it utterly as I link my hands earnestly behind my back.

I go quite still because…I did not know that Luca did that.

Bruce nods, seeing my understanding now. “Luca’s made money, and he’s been successful, but his career has an end-date. He’s young and he’s strong now, but he’s not going to be forever. There’s always someone younger and stronger coming up the ranks. So Luca needs to win the prize fights while he can, and invest the money wisely so that he can continue to support the women who raised him, and continue to give back to his community. Which is why I don’t like him throwing a party for you the night before the biggest fight of his life.”

I step back a little, feeling like I’ve been slapped. Because I didn’t ask for this party but…