The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0748

Jackson and I each take a moment to clean up, brushing our teeth and splashing water on our faces, before we return to the nook - the place where we feel most secure. But I push the curtain back, letting the pre-dawn light stream in. Because that feels right, feels better.

"So," Jackson murmurs, wrapping his long arms loosely around his knees as he leans back against the pillows. "Where do you want to start?"

I bite my lip, wondering at it, but also...distracted. Distracted by the sheer physical presence of my mate, sitting there across from me in our bed, all gorgeous and understanding and willing to hear every bit of what I have to say. Almost despite my resolve to be stoic and serious, my eyes move away from his face and down his form, taking in the beautiful way that his body has been crafted, honed, over years of punching stuff and running and whatever else it is these warrior-types do. My wolf shifts from paw to paw, giving me a nudge, telling me to go to him to touch him -

But -

I hesitate, knowing where that got me last time. With Luca. Giving in to impulse and attraction is...not always the best choice.

When I raise my eyes again to Jackson's face, I see that his jaw is tight, his teeth clenched as he senses the direction of my thoughts. To that day, with Luca. And all the things that lead to being marked, if not the marking and the rejection itself.

you want it?" Jackson asks, his voice tight. I can almost

wanted to sleep

tell him everything. I soften, where I can, the information that he doesn't necessarily need - about how attracted I was to Luca, and precisely how much it hurt when his wolf attacked and he rejected me. These things, I sense, he doesn't need the details of. But beyond that I tell him everything, wanting things to be an

when I finish, Jackson tells

the Captain and tell Rafe he was desperately needed, and then seeing me there in the hall. en seeing His own pain and confusion has me weeping as silently as I can, not wanting to stop him from the story but unable to hold it back. But my mouth falls open when Jackson gives me the details about Luca - about chasing him down, and their fight, and then letting him go even though he left the Castle intending to

Jacks," I say, pressing my hands to my chest and shaking my head at him. "I'm so sorry. I - I've been so bad and unfair,

just frowns at me. "You've done what you had to do, Ariel. Your grandmother gave you two mates. Who the hell am I to do anything but try to deal

- I told you both

of you before I made my choice -

a shit place to put you in in the first place," Jacks murmurs, his head hanging a little. "We both...Ariel, as the weeks passed it was becoming increasingly obvious that a choice was going to be е impossible.