The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy



"No, Jackson," I say, pulling away a second. "What?"

"Nothing," he whispers, his face suddenly a little said. "I was...going to ask you for a promise you couldn't keep. So. I won't ask it."

I tighten my hands in his shirt, desperate to know what it is that he wants, desperate to give it to him -noveldrama

But how seriously he looks at me right now? I exhale slowly and let it pass. Let him have his secret.

"Please," I whisper, a little desperate to move on from this, tugging him closer to me. "Please kiss me, Jacks."

He leans forward then, pressing his mouth to mine, kissing me long and slow. And as he does, I'm well aware that whatever he asked me for in this moment I'd give to him - no matter how much, or how unfair. And in the distance of the dreamscape, somewhere, my wolf howls -

Because she, too, knows that it's the truth.

Jackson and I kiss for a long time after that, serious and intent, slow - none of our usual eager joking, or laughter, or experiments. Instead, he just holds me close and we pass a great deal of emotion across our bond - devotion and sincerity and assurance.

Because honestly, I think the situation between Rafe and Daphne freaked us both out - reminded us that...relationships can end.

And that both he and Luca have asked me to end one of my relationships.

So, at some point...it's going to have to happen, for me at least. And even though he tries to hide it away, I can feel that Jackson is hoping with quite real desperation that it's not him who has to collapse into his bed like Rafe did tonight.

That...that he's worried that losing me might actually kill him.

“Don't think that,” I say, my lower lip shaking a little as I break our kiss, holding on to him quite tight like he might fly away.

"I'm sorry," he murmurs, dropping his head, I think a bit ashamed that I sensed that worry.

"It's - don't be sorry, Jacks," I murmur, stroking my hands through his hair. "Just - you don't need to think about it, okay? It's..."

I hold myself before I say "it's not

going to happen," even though that's truly what I'm thinking and feeling Because if I say that say that out

—

loud to him, and mean it - promise it - doesn't that mean that I've chosen him? That I'm leaving Luca?

And I am absolutely not at all ready to do that.

Jackson turns his head away from me, in turn sensing more than I want him to, and I sigh, falling back a bit on the soft grass on which we're laying.

"Can we...just change the subject, Jacks?" I say quietly, rubbing a hand up and down his arm. "It's been a lot tonight - a lot of emotion. We can face it again when we feel...clearer."

He nods, I think hoping that I'm right, and then he exhales and turns towards me, doing his very best to move on as I suggest.

"What do you want to talk about

instead?" he says, a little smile

coming to his mouth, running a hand

l.ne

down the length of my body - apparently not done touching me, even if we have taken a break from the kissing.

-

"Hmm," I say, breaking into a grin when I immediately stumble onto a topic one that surprises even me Jacks, sensing my cheer, leans inte it, likewise wanting the distraction. "I can think of something," I say, quite low and teasing, wiggling my hips a little as his hand slips down over them.

"Oh yeah?" he murmurs, coming closer so his body leans over mine in that way I particularly like. "Think of what?"

“Come here," I whisper, crooking a finger towards him.

Jacks lowers his head and I take his face in my hands - his gorgeous face, so precious to me - and tilt his head to the side, bringing my lips quite close to his ear.

"Jacks," I whisper, breathy and light. "Can you..."

He growls, low in his throat, ready to say yes to whatever I ask.

I grin, unable to help myself. "Can you teach me to read battle schematics? Like you did with Luca tonight?"

I feel Jackson's utter surprise as he bolts up straight, staring at me like I'm crazy. "What!?"

And I can't help it - I burst out laughing, rocking back and forth with it while Jacks holds me in his arms.