The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Jackson just stares at me, shocked and unblinking - and for a split second I realize how rare it actually is for people to look him in the eye and defy him.

But his surprise is not long lived, replaced immediately by anger.

"Ariel, you will fall in line -"

"No way!" I throw back, baring my teeth at him. "Jackson, you're being overprotective! I've got a big gun, I'm up here all alone, I've got radio to contact you and binoculars so I'll know miles away if anyone is coming —"

"I am not leaving you alone in a battle trail again, Ariel," Jackson snarls, leaning even closer and wrapping his hand around my arm. "Never again."

My mouth goes a bit dry as I stare at Jackson, realizing what all of this is about.

"Jacks," I whisper, reaching up and pressing his cheeks between my hands, staring into his gorgeous blue eyes. "That's - that's not going to happen again -"

"The psychopath that hurt you the first time is out there right now coming for us with weapons!"

"Paintball guns! Dulled knives!"

rip you apart with just his bare hands, Ariel," Jackson's hand tightens on my

offended, dropping my hands from his face and glaring up at him again. "I've been working really hard

long, slow breath, closing his eyes and working hard to find his words. "Wright is nearly as good as Rafe and me - he has been since we were Candidates. And I know you have come so far in your training - but it is

and tugging him closer, making him open his eyes and look into mine. "Jacks, I get that you want to protect me but it's important that

think not even wanting to give me

on this battlefield - are wasted just sitting up here next

he snaps. "Keeping you safe is never a

keeping me safe," I whisper, "I would agree. But

that the argument doesn't work. That he's not

back hard on my

sit in silence for a long few minutes, my mind turning,

not happy that I haven't just given in to his plan

you to go back down the cliff

"I'm not going -"