The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0937

"Thank you," he replies, dismissing my point. And I smile, opening the bond again, passing a constant stream of love and reassurance down the bond to my mate. Because it's not that I'm not freaked out, or scared, or shaken by all of this -

It's just that Jesse and Rafe are right. Jackson needs me right now, and so does Marigold.

And if I can just put the rest of the worries out of my mind and concentrate on helping them for right now...then the rest we can figure out as it comes.

I sigh and concentrate on my bond, and my mate, and this brand new little girl. And Jackson and I just sit quietly for a long time, sharing emotions and watching Marigold sleep until we, too, join her in that state.

My eyelids slowly begin to lift in the morning as I wake up, blearly and confused, trying to figure out...why I'm so close to the ground...even though Jackson is sprawled out beneath me as usual...

But I flinch, just slightly, when I see two very blue little eyes peering at me.

"Ariel," a little voice whispers.

My face breaks into a smile. "Hi," I whisper back, reaching out a hand and drifting my palm softly over the little girl's pretty dark hair. "Good morning."

She smiles at me too.

the edge of my shirt, running his hand up the length of my spine. I can feel, down the bond, precisely where

not the best idea

an eye open. "What're

he sees Marigold, having apparently forgotten all about her. I burst out laughing as Jackson clasps me to his chest, sitting half up. And,

up a moment later as he smiles first at his girl and then at me. Marigold laughs harder and falls back into her blankets, making me grin. "God damn it, I...was not expecting that," Jackson murmurs, stroking a hand over my hair and pressing a kiss to my cheek and

around his neck. "You're

in consideration, looking between Marigold and me. "We're going to need to get her her own bed...at some

kiss to his mouth, sending all of my cheerful happy morning emotions right down along the bond. He laughs

offering my hand.

at me, going still. And then she bares

want breakfast?" I glance between her and Jackson,

and rubbing a hand over his hair.

and staring at him. "You can get all that down the

shrugs and looks up at me.

Children's bonds with their parents change as their language develops, as their needs change. But I do remember being very small and passing thoughts and feelings to my parents so... No, I guess it's

at me, his own feelings slightly guilty

for my hand and I take it, giving him a squeeze. Guilt sweeps through me immediately, because who am I to begrudge Jackson a