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

him. “What, were you raised in the woods,

gaze for a long moment –

a big black oak tree a

roots, patting the ground next to me. Jackson hesitates for a second and then lowers himself

Princess–y, is it? But still, I hide

my hand out to him, palm

my lips. “What do you want to try

Ari, I don’t care,” he says, laughing as he takes my hand, his broad palm warm against my small one. A shiver passes through me as

“You don’t care?”

and looking down at

that I can practice magic?” I

know what I can do. You can experiment. though, especially if my…” he holds up the hands between us, apparently at a bit of a loss. for how to describe the thing that happens when

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

ask.

seeing the question in my eyes

what you

before. “Because it’s

if it can be…useful? To the nation, or whatever? I mean,

why you’re here?”

am. But then… “Well,” I say, looking off into the distance a

sits quietly,

connection to the royal family, right? We’re all incredibly privileged, of course, but I hope that we use our privileges to help people as much as we can. I am here at the Academy for me, but I do hope that in the end what I do and learn here really can help our

he understands. But otherwise, Jackson stays

the same for you?” I ask,

“If I’m being honest, I care more about helping my

stare at him, trying to figure him out. “Is that are

“Smaller group,” Jackson

his eyes going a bit distant as he

“A community within the nation, if that