The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

I nod, getting it now, unlacing my fingers from behind his neck and starting to run them again through his hair, liking Jackson more now than I have before, which is...saying something. He's right, though he doesn't have some of the more annoying and disgusting habits of our culture's masculinity. He just never learned them.

"I don't want you to think that I'm dismissing this," Jackson murmurs, lifting a hand to softly stroke my cheek. "I respect that you're a public figure - and I'm proud of you for that. I think you take it seriously, and I...I like that. So, if this hurts you, and you're mad about it, then I'm mad about it. But...if you're worried that I'm wounded by this?"

Jackson just shrugs, like bullshit like this can't even touch him.

And I grin, and pull him closer, and press a simple kiss to his mouth.

"You're amazing, Jacks," I say, shaking my head in awe a little. "You're so lovely."

"Do you want me to be madder about this?" he asks, genuine and earnest. "Because I can be angrier, if that's what you want." And then he forces his face into more rigid lines, growling again, and I laugh as I feel the rumble of it in his chest. "This stupid...magazine!" he grumbles, taking it from my hands and tossing it to the floor, clearly trying to figure out how to perform an appropriate level of rage for my sake. "I'll...beat up that reporter! I'll...punch Luca!"

I burst into laughter now, taking his cheeks between my hands and shaking my head, urging him to stop.

too and then shrugs. "Actually, I won't punch Luca," he murmurs, smiling down at me. "Because...I mean, I really want him to win tonight, and I'm really strong and would seriously mess him up So. If you want me to punch him, I'll have to save

murmur, sighing happily, absolutely adoring my big tough Alpha. "But thank you for

looks away from me, I think hoping I

and brings his mouth to mine, kissing me swiftly and burying a hand in my hair, absolutely sweeping me away. We both

and I turn to see him standing stoop-shouldered in the doorway, a pastry in each hand. "Rafe, my best friend is kissing my cousin! And it's gross." "Oh, shut up, Jesse," Rafe says, shoving him into the room and closing the door behind them. "It's not like I haven't had to watch you make out with people like, a million times." "Yes, but this

no, that's Jackson

open in pretend shock as he presses a hand to his heart, making me laugh. Yes, we came to new terms on a cliff outside the Academy the night

over slightly, sitting next to him in the window seat instead of in his lap. "What's going on Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt

anyway?"

broad grin, moving forward and handing Jackson and I each

door. "Car's waiting outside to take us