The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0925

Jackson nearly trips over his own feet when he feels it.

"Are you all right?" Ella asks, pausing in her steps to turn and look up at Jackson, frowning slightly.

He just goes still, ignoring Ella, staring at the little girl because...

Was that...a question? He felt? Down...down the bond?

The little girl shrinks away from him, her mouth pulling into a thin line, and he groans a little - realizing that he's frightening her, just staring at her with the ferocity and intensity of a lion. Jackson immediately turns to the bond, very carefully passing assurance and calm down it, hoping that it's...right. That it's okay. That she can feel it and it's... normal to do that.

The little girl goes still for a second and then perks up, smiling at her father.

Smiling.

Jackson groans aloud, his heart breaking at the sight of his little girl smiling at him for the first time. He reaches out a hand and strokes it over her dark hair,

marveling at the silky softness of it.

little girl. His. Absolutely

And she smiles.

for Marigold as she reaches for him, and suddenly she's up in his arms, clasped

a happy sigh. "That's better. That's nice,

eyes a little to peek at

beams at him, her hands clasped beneath

get Marigold something to eat. Because he can feel it now, down the bond, the gnawing hunger that

sends a mental image of cheese down the bond and feels her respond with eager happiness.

to keep up. When they reach the kitchen Rafe smiles at the three of them and pushes

his job - that the big industrial kitchen is empty

as he stands at the stove with an apron

she looks over at Marigold, who stares

be enough, Markie," Ella says, laughing and going to a closet, pulling out a booster seat for Marigold. "You

come together almost simply then, the entire group falling into the familiar routines of mealtime. Jackson settles Marigold onto the chair and ensures that she's comfortable as

wondering quietly about onel

what

Mark that he might want to check