The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0572

behind her so that mom, me, and Jacks are quite suddenly alone.

Jesse gives me a little glare, clearly wanting to be in on the mini conference, but I just grin at him and flick my fingers towards the door, telling him to go away. Cora laughs and gathers up my brother and my cousin, escorting them out of the room and shutting the door Jackson sighs, letting me slip down to the floor, even though I can tell he doesn't want to.

Mom keeps her eyes on the door until it snicks shut and then whips her head back to the two of us. "Did Rafe and Daphne break up? What's going on there?"

"Mom, I called this private conference to talk about me," I say, pressing my fingers delicately to my heart. "Not your precious meatball."

"But he is a precious little meatball!" mom says, gathering her fists tight below her chin and looking at me with shining eyes. "Just a sad, precious little heartbroken meatball!"

I laugh, shaking my head at her but heaving a little sigh. And then as mom slips into Rafe's desk chair and I take my seat again, Jackson pulling his chair over to sit between us, I quickly fill my mom in on Rafe's romantic drama. And even though I can tell she has a thousand questions, I smile my gratitude when mom tucks them all away and leans towards me.

up with you, baby? Are you all right?" She leans forward, putting a warm hand on my knee, her eyes bright and loving and defensive, like she's ready

lip starts to tremble at the concern in her voice, the way she so clearly offers to take my troubles from me and solve all my

you stay, mom?" I croak, suddenly wanting her near very, very much. So, so much has changed so fast and I just...want my mom. "Just for like, one

sees how upset I am, but I'm still looking at mom even as he reaches out a hand and places it warm on

her heart breaking as she slowly shakes

up straighter, squaring my shoulders, hating that answer but knowing that she'd only deny me this if she

have to go home," mom

between her hands. "To...to Markie, and June. And your dad," she shakes her head. "They need me and..." she bites her lip,

head for a

my mom says, petting me softly, my hair and my cheeks. "You've got Jackson, who is much better at protecting than me and just as nice." I glance over at my mate to see him flushing a

it's not

a sudden desperation, remembering that new dark thing that curls within me. And then, dropping my head, I start to cry again when I realize that I had a chance to ask the Goddess about it - and, like