The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0237

Jackson nods, and to Jesse’s surprise, lets him walk by his side.

They walk for a long time. Jackson is surprised, after a while, at how quiet and stoic Jesse is. Jesse doesn’t sigh or moan that he’s bored, like Jackson thought he would. He doesn’t complain, or fuss, or anything. He just walks quietly at Jackson’s side as they circle the castle, losing themselves in the woods and then along the cliffs that border the northern edge, that overlook the candidate barracks below.

When Jackson pauses at the edge of the cliff, looking far, far north, peering into the dark, Jesse clears his throat.

Jackson scowls, looking over at him. “I thought you said we could not talk?”

“Listen, I tried,” Jesse says, bursting into a grin. “You called my bluff on this one, Jacks. That is the longest I’ve ever been quiet in my entire life.”

“And wasn’t it nice?”

“It was horrible,” Jesse groans, tilting his head back. And Jackson can’t help but smile, because Ariel does that too when she’s being dramatic.

It’s a lot less cute when Jesse does it…but he smiles anyway.

“So,” Jesse says, looking north in the same way Jackson does, into the dark. “I’ve been thinking about it, Jacks, and I gotta say…I’m kind of disappointed in you.”

to want to help him. Jesse doesn’t flinch, just continues looking north. “I

of his palms lightly

is so good about being mated to my

that’s what was so great about it! She’s smart, and she’s funny, and she’s nice – and she’s beautiful – and she…she gets me! She’s pretty much the only person in the entire world who gets me. And she’s brave, and I like being around her, even though I hate everyone

and pointing a finger at

if you didn’t recognize how

can’t…not let

dismissive hand, “I can do anything, I’m a Duke. But that’s not important. What is important is that you recognize how great it

your mate you’re the luckiest bastard to ever walk to earth,

–

her to you. Now.” Jesse nods, moving on like they’re figuring out a math problem. “What’s so

for the trick in Jesse’s

for it, he knows what the answer is. He stays quiet, not wanting to

ran through your daily quota of words with your

just scowls

and clapping a hand again on Jackson’s shoulder. “Jacks, what sucks about it is that you have to share her. With Luca, of all damn