The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0223

When I wake up the next morning or, at least, I think it’s morning – it’s not like this weird mountainous hospital room has windows – I smile, because I smell Jackson.

But then I frown, rubbing at my eyes, because…

I mean, I took a shower. His scent wouldn’t be all over me anymore, so why…

But then, when I follow my nose and peer over the side of my bed, I burst into a smile because I have my answer.

Jackson’s laying there, on a way–too–small mattress of all things, dead asleep. I grin, looking at him, wondering how the hell he got here and why he’s not back at the Academy yet, but…

Well, also, I just look at him. Because he’s so damn handsome, even with his mouth hanging open and his arm splayed out to the side, and so incredibly precious to me, even though we’ve only been bonded for less than two days.

Before I can stop myself, I crawl out of bed and drop down onto his mattress, curling up at his side with my head on his chest. Jackson jumps the moment I touch him, but he instantly calms when he realizes what happened. “Don’t scare me like that,” he murmurs, instantly wrapping his arms around me and pulling me tight.

I laugh. “Good morning to you too.”

his eyes at my insistence

starts to sit up, like he’s going to go get me some food immediately, but I laugh and stop him with a

also like everything, in this moment, is…completely fine. Which, honestly, is precisely

long minutes of just holding each other, our breathing slowly coming to match, our heartbeats synching up, I raise my chin to look up at him. “Jacks,” I whisper, curious. ”

“I’m not at school because I

squeak, sitting up to stare at him. He tightens his arms, making

says, as if it’s simple. “I wouldn’t leave without you. The professors got pissed, but what

I breathe, staring at him. “One night with

of school

completely unworried. “I’m just getting at

I

military stuff. They’re not going to kick me out and lose everything I can offer just because I slept in

that makes him laugh. “You have to follow the rules, Jacks you don’t get a free pass just because

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