The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 66

We spend a long time under that tree as Jackson tells me the long story about how he stayed up for three weeks in a row, only giving in because he was so incredibly bored by the end of it. About how he just wandered around at night all alone, doing chores and going for runs just to have something to do. About how he missed dreaming, and missed rest, because while he wasn’t precisely tired, in a bodily sort of way, he was exhausted mentally.

“We need sleep, I think, to turn off our minds,” he says at the end of it, thoughtful. “Life’s hard enough as it is we need time away from it all, I guess.”

“Yes, that makes sense,” I murmur passively, all my words blurring together as I sit with my chin still propped in my hand, just staring at him, mesmerized.

Because god, he’s gorgeous. Jackson – he’s so brutal at first sight, all harsh lines and scars and darkness. But the more time you spend with him and the more he opens up the more you see the grace in him. It’s almost, somehow, like he…tucks it away, hiding it. But when he lets it out?

His face just….lights up, like a flaming beacon in the night. And god, is he breathtaking.

“I mean, it makes sense, right?”

I startle out of my reverie and curse myself for letting myself get lost in “Hmm?” I say, straightening up.

my mate’s

gaze.

He laughs at me. “Sorry,” he says, running a hand through his messy hair, “I’ve been boring.”

“Jackson,” I say, my voice low with the understatement, “you’ve been the opposite of boring. I got…completely lost in what you were saying.”

He grins, desperately pleased at the compliment, and his mouth to say more –

opens

But I gasp, suddenly looking around. “Shit, what time is it!?”

my god,” he says, dropping my hand suddenly and springing to his feet. “Shit, Clark,

“Oh

we’re late

thrusting it against my chest when I finally stand

pushing the satchel back to him.

and Jackson beats me, obviously, even carrying both of our books. He grabs my hand and basically drags me through the

even know where this is!?”

me, like I’m stupid for not

there’s no time to dwell on it, especially as I consider that Jackson fulfilled his promise to Rafe that

he’s not doing it for Rafe’s sake.

it

panting by the time I get to the door. Jackson, predictably, is

good?” He asks, unstrapping my satchel from his shoulder and handing it to me.

the door, anxious to

Jackson murmurs, turning away.

me even more time but unable to stop myself. Jackson turns, staring at me. I shake my head, speaking

an ironic eyebrow, which makes me

want you there,” I say as I grin and grab the

and then nods once before turning

twist the handle, pressing into the room.

at me, clearly annoyed. “And what emergency has kept

I say, hurrying to my seat. “No emergencies. Just…lost track of time…. studying.”

tardiness will make itself known by a reduced grade on your next quiz, Clark” Neumann

agreeing to the terms,

morning with Jackson under

again in a heartbeat,

into a fresh uniform, and sitting on the couch with my arms crossed, glaring

snap the moment the

stop dead in their tracks.

staring at me, standing stock

alone!” I shout as Rafe closes the door and I get to my feet, grabbing the note I

snatches the note from my hand. I don’t answer, planting my hands on my hips and frowning at

1

is Daphne?” Rafe murmurs.