The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 64

I’m absolutely buzzing with energy as Jackson and I emerge through the castle door and out into the sunshine. I keep stealing glances up at him, which he either doesn’t notice or pretends not to, his defined features set in their usual harsh lines. I, however, cannot keep the smile from my face.

We walk in silence for a little bit, me struggling to keep up with Jackson’s long stride. I laugh, after a moment, when he starts to outstrip me.

“What?” he asks, glancing down and a little backwards towards me. “What’s funny?”

“Would you slow down a little?” I ask, grinning up at him. “You’ve got longer legs than I do.”

He does slow then, allowing me to catch up as he glances down at his legs as if needing to see them for proof of their length. He frowns at me as we continue along the path. “Aren’t you used to it, though? Your cousins are as big as me they must walk as fast as I do.”

–

I turn my head to the side, considering this. “I guess they…walk slower when they’re with me,” I say, folding my hands behind my back as I contemplate it. Because I’ve never, ever had to ask them to slow down, even though Jackson is right. A little rush of warmth runs. through me as I realize that they must do it naturally, always using a pace that I can keep up with when they’re around me. They’ve probably been doing it since we were kids.

Rafe and Jesse they really are the best.

–

Jackson just nods, continuing to walk forward.

“So,” I say, breaking our companionable silence. “Where do you want to go do some magic

stuff?”

“Oh, I don’t care,” he says, waving a dismissive hand. “Wherever you want.”

“Really?” I ask, looking up at him again staring freely, if I’m admitting it to myself. “Then…why did you want to come outside?”

He just shrugs. “I guess I just like it out here,” he says quietly. “Not used to being all cooped up indoors all the time.”

Chapter 64

say, smiling at him. “What, were you raised in the woods, then? Spent

he murmurs. He holds my gaze for a long moment – so long that butterflies develop in my stomach and I have

over there?” I ask, pointing towards a big black oak tree a short distance away, going stunningly orange

just as much as anything else. We make our quiet way over to the tree and I sit down amongst the roots, patting the ground next to me. Jackson hesitates for a second and then lowers himself to the ground, curling his legs up beneath him, a little awkward. I grin,

very Princess–y, is it? But still, I

my hand out

“What do you want to try

against my small one. A shiver passes through me as the pulse radiates out from us, fluttering the leaves of the trees above us and stirring the grass around. But

“You don’t care?”

looking down at me. “Do whatever

that I can practice magic?” I ask, a little baffled.

especially if my…” he holds up the hands between us, apparently at a bit of a loss. for how to describe

my own head now. And then I hesitate, wondering if

ask.

towards me, seeing the question in my

want to tell anyone what you can do,

was before. “Because it’s not anyone’s business but mine,” he

can be…useful? To the nation, or whatever? I mean, isn’t that why we’re all

why

really wondering if I am. But then… “Well,” I say, looking off into the distance a little bit. “Yeah, I suppose that’s why I am

quietly,

to help people as much as we can. I am here at the Academy for

nods, letting me know he understands. But otherwise, Jackson

that not the same for you?” I ask, really wanting to know.

being honest, I care more

trying to figure him out. “Is that are they not

“Smaller group,” Jackson

his eyes going a bit distant as he thinks about

nation, if that makes sense.”