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.

He dips a hand low on my back and flips up the edge of my shirt, running his hand up the length of my spine. I can feel, down the bond, precisely where his intentions are leading with this

Probably not the best

cracking an eye open. "What're

about her. I burst out laughing as Jackson clasps me to his chest, sitting half up. And, to my delight, Marigold laughs

humor catching 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

arms around his neck.

hums in consideration, looking between Marigold and me. "We're going

winding my arms around Jackson's neck, pressing my own quick kiss to his mouth, sending all of my cheerful happy morning emotions right down along the bond. He laughs and gives me a tight squeeze before crawl off him and stand up,

Marigold!” I say, grinning at the girl and offering my hand. "What

still. And then she bares her teeth

"You...don't want breakfast?"

it's the bath..." Jacks murmurss, yawning and rubbing a hand over his hair. "She's

staring at him. "You

up at

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 not," I say quietly, putting my hands on my hips. "I'm just...not used to you having

his own feelings slightly guilty and worried as

hand and I take it, giving him a squeeze. Guilt sweeps through me immediately, because who am I to begrudge Jackson a bond with his daughter? After all, it changes nothing about my bond with