The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"I think so," I say, giving a little shrug. "That's what she called it when mom and Cora talked to her, after all. A 'gift.' She said all of her grandchildren would be likewise gifted. Do you know where yours comes

from?"

Slowly he shakes his head. "No idea."

"Well, maybe it's also a gift," I say, considering it as I stare up into his blue eyes, his dark head framed against the night sky. "After all, she clearly knows about you, if she picked you out as my mate." "That's so weird," he whispers, his eyes going a little distant, "to think that the Goddess...knows about me. I've always felt so...anonymous and inconsequential my whole life. I never in a million years would have thought the Goddess had an eye on me."

"Of course she does," I say, lifting a hand to idly stroke his chest. "You're like...really good looking, Jacks. And she's a woman after all."

"Don't be creepy," he murmurs, his eyes focusing on me as he smirks. "That's your grandmother."

shaking my head at him. "I don't like you thinking of yourself as inconsequential, Jacks,"

head to peer around, though we can't see the city around us from this part of the roof. "Though...being around these trees helps." I nod, understanding. Mom was very careful in selecting the placement of our little roof garden - it feels very secluded up here - like our own little bit of nature. And I'm well aware that Jacks feels more comfortable in natural spaces than surrounded

here tonight. There's a whole Palace's worth of rooms to hang out in, after all. And I picked the roof. "Do you hate it? The city?" I ask quietly, genuinely wanting to know. Because, I mean, for better

he murmurs,

sitting up a little and peering at him. "It was worse for like...the fifteen minutes you waited for me

he says, shaking his head and laughing a little.

I squeak, starting back a little and then smacking him on the

I know - I can feel it down the bond. "Did you think I went straight

say, fascinated now and dying

smirking and shaking his head. "I would have been...a disaster, if I'd have done that, and the men who sent me to the Academy knew that. I would have been so shocked at the way people act and talk, so...out of the loop of the culture. They sent me to live in the

hands flat on my sweetheart's chest. "I hate to break it to you, Jacks," I say softly, "but you...still kind of stood out. As a complete and total