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.”

I can almost feel him rolling his eyes at my insistence on a greeting. “How are you? Are

stop him with a hand on his chest. “Just stay still with me for a moment, Jacks,” I whisper, wanting nothing more than

but also like everything, in this moment, is…completely

I raise my chin to look up at

“I’m not at school because

stare at him. He tightens his arms, making me lay

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

night with me in the hospital is not worth getting

out of

not getting kicked out,” he says, his voice completely unworried. “I’m just getting

a demerit?” I ask, fascinated, worried.

peers at me for a second. “Ari, I’m like…very good at this military stuff. They’re not going to kick me out and lose everything I can offer just because I slept in the wrong facility one night. I haven’t

I murmur, giving him a little smack on his chest that makes him laugh. “You have to follow the rules, Jacks you don’t get a free pass just because you’re big and nobody

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