The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0745

I fall to my knees at his side, my shoulders shaking. "What the hell were you doing outside?" My question is tremulous, a whisper.

"Um," he says, glancing backwards at Jesse and Rafe. "I was just...being close. Because it was hard to be far. And Jesse said I should let you take charge? And wait until you asked for me, in case you...didn't want to see me?"

Jesse groans. "That's not what I said!"

"Why are you listening to Jesse?" I ask, shaking my head as tears well in my eyes. "He's the worst at emotions.

"Hey!"

"I don't know, Ariel," Jackson murmurs, sitting up and reaching for me the moment he sees me starting to cry. "You're right - that was dumb - I'm so sorry -"

I groan in relief the moment Jackson wraps me up in his arms, pulling me into his lap and cradling me against his chest, pressing as much of my body to him as he can manage. He murmurs again and again

his apologies, and I whisper back for him to stop - that he doesn't need to- that I need to -

And then I just cry, and Jackson just holds me, and his wolf moves fast across the bond to mine. She shies at first, wary after Luca's wolf's attack, but Jackson's wolf skids to a stop and lets out an

waiting for her to come to him. And when she does, finally pressing herself warm to his

Jackson and

you...have a minute..." Jesse murmurs, stepping

room.

up at him to see him looking worriedly

gaze. "It's fine, Rafe," I say, my voice croaking. "Thank you. It's fine

door shuts behind us. I turn in Jackson's lap, taking

I whisper, shaking my head at

didn't

correctly - just so...so so filled with grief, and yet so deeply happy to be here with him, to feel

rigid, wondering if my scent has changed. I mean, my mom said that it hadn't - not that she

think about it - and Luca - he was very bad to me, but he...he wasn't totally wrong - I

QUMS

flashes of memory that come along with it that any attempt to excuse Luca's rejection of me, the fact that he stormed

my head, shaking all over. "I - I can't talk about that right now

wraps me up closer in his

wrapping my arms around his neck. "I know the last three days were really really hard for you.

he asks, pulling back confused.