The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0323

And my heart sinks, thinking of the reality of that. Thinking that my sweet Jacks - he's really got no one in his life to hold him and coddle him and be his safety net. Well, almost no one.

"He's got us," I whisper, looking into my mom's eyes, which I know are precisely the same shade as mine. "Which...I mean, it isn't nothing, mom. We're formidable."

"It's true," she says, a slow grin coming over her face. "Pint sided, but formidable."

We both laugh again, and she strokes my cheek. "I love you so much baby," she whispers, "I just...I care a great deal about that boy already."

"Why?" I ask, a little curious.

trouble," she murmurs, and I immediately put the pieces

to her over the bed and wrapping my arms around her, putting my head down on her chest as she tugs me close. "You're so nice. Thank you for taking care of him. And I promise, I'll

you. I know it's complicated, with Luca too.

job so far?" I ask, kind

think it gets simpler for the three of you. I

dreading it. And inwardly, I solidify my promise to be on Jackson's side, even when things get hard. Because mom's right - in some cases, I'm the only

"Speaking of the future," she murmurs, putting a little green bottle into my hand. "This should set you

at it. And then my eyes go wide when I realize

bedside table too. The day I figured out that it's a contraceptive tonic - a mild and specific variety of wolfsbane, combined with ginger and wild carrot - I had blushed for days at the idea that mom still needed it. But when mom had finally confronted me on why I was being so weird around her, we'd had a really good chat about sex,

it,” mom says, thoughtful. "I mean, obviously, the choice is up to you. But there's nothing wrong or bad or shameful about sex, Ariel, even if...well, if your mate situation makes

be hard to pretend I'm a boy at Alpha Academy with a big pregnant belly to give me away. Sᴇaʀᴄh