The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0238

“Because!” Jackson bursts out, tossing out his hands. “It’s Luca fucking Grant, Jesse! Even I had heard of him, and I haven’t heard of anyone! And he’s…he’s good with women! And he can talk to her, and make her laugh! And he’s like…good looking, or whatever! How the hell am I supposed to compete with that!?”

Jesse stares at Jackson for a long moment before a slow grin starts on his face.

Jackson scowls, hating him a little bit. “What?” he snaps. “What are you smiling about? Are you laughing at me? Seriously!?”

“I’m not laughing at you, Jacks,” Jesse says, shaking his head but continuing to smile. “It’s just you have no idea what you have going on, do you? This bridge you grew up under, did

–

it not have a mirror?”

Jackson just stares at Jesse for a long moment before he cocks his head. Because…was that a… compliment? Hidden beneath all of those insults?

“Listen,” Jesse says, reaching an arm around Jackson’s shoulders and pulling him close like he’s sharing a deep secret, “I’m going to speak plainly, so pay attention – because this doesn’t happen often. But Jackson – women like you.”

women like me – I don’t know

any women –

to like you as much as they like Luca, or more.

remembering that they did laugh a lot that night during the Examination, remembering how good it felt to make her laugh. Jesse’s grin deepens. “Luca Grant doesn’t have anything you don’t,” Jesse continues. “Okay? So…stop acting like it’s a done deal. I had to stop Ariel from chasing you out of that room tonight and leaving Luca Grant behind. That is…not insignificant, Jacks. And it’s the only thing

slowly to look back into Jesse’s face, shocked at

who always seems so flippant, so easy.

this

precisely the right thing to say?

here for you, man,” Jesse says, tightening his arm and giving Jackson’s shoulders a squeeze. “I’ll even give you a

about why Jesse is being so damn nice to him

punching Jackson on his arm in playful

more and shaking his head. “Why do you like

Jesse groans, laughing more and dropping his arm from Jackson’s shoulders. Jacks…you seriously need some therapy. I like you because you’re a good guy, and you’re interesting, and you’re…well, you’re so weird that you make me laugh even when you don’t mean to. And also because you’re obsessed with my cousin, who I also like. And because we have the same stupid hobbies of running around and punching things. Why

you don’t just….like me because I’m Ariel’s mate?” Jackson’s voice is so hesitant that it breaks Jesse’s

hide his impulse to wrap Jackson in a bear hug. “Because now I have to

Jesse’s shock, het starts to stride away, a new confidence in the