The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0749

I tilt my head to the side at this, curious about that thought process. Where on earth had that come from? Tony as my mate? Honestly, the idea is...ridiculous to me, even though Luca was jealous of him too, so some kind of romantic connectoin was clearly on his mind as well. But Jackson catches himself mid- harangue and clears his throat, drawing in a deep breath.

"Clearly," I murmur, "you gave this some thought."

"I mean, I didn't like the idea of sharing you," Jackson murmurs, slowly shaking his head as he holds my gaze. "But if that was your destiny?" Another shrug as he looks away into space, like he hated it but he was willing to bear it.

For me.

And suddenly my heart sinks as I realize just how precisely good he is. That Jackson - he'd take a half happiness, as long as it meant having me in his life.

I groan and crawl to him, unable to stand being apart anymore and pressing myself to his side. Jackson wraps his arm around me and pulls me close, taking a deep sniff of my hair.

"I'm very sorry," I whisper, shaking my head. "I don't think the Goddess's gift was very fair to you, was it?" "Any deal that comes with you attached, Ariel," Jackson murmurs, "is the lion's share of the riches. And I'm not just some poor orphan saying that - just some kid who's never been loved taking whatever the world would give him. I'd say the same even if I were the Prince of Atalaxia, with all the world's riches at my feet. You are worth it all, Ariel Sinclair."

I sigh, thinking that it can't possibly be true, but grateful instead to be so overwhelmingly loved.

I hoped that the three of

it as he holds me close for a few moments, turning over the details of what the Goddess said, the consequences of

do you think?" he asks, his deep voice rumbling and low and contemplative. The back of his fingers barely graze the bandage still over the mark on my neck. "Do you think this is enough, that you've got his mark now? Or...do you think the Goddess is going to give you a replacement

of terrified at the idea. "I think we have to get Cora to call her up again and ask. I'm not

He nods, grumbling something.

face him again, my own hand

raises an

that your

let you leave

inch of you was fully healed,

bit. "But...I haven't looked at

you think you're

you?" I ask,

a little.

head a bit, my eyes narrowed at his confidence. "You aren't going to