The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0948

When Jesse, Mark, and I arrive back in the living room, I give my father a steady nod of acknowledgement before I move immediately for Jacks.

He reaches for me with one arm, the other stretched out next to Marigold, holding a handful of beads up for her and Seraphina as they sit on the couch, stringing necklaces for each other. I spare a happy little glance at the two of them before tucking myself in close on Jackson's side, wrapping an arm around his waist and looking up into his face.

"Hi," I whisper. “Jacks, I'm so sorry I left like that -"

"It's fine, Ariel," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my hair and pulling me in close against him. A great swell of warmth and love grows in my chest, passed down the bond from Jackson. "You were upset, you needed a minute. It's always fine. Where did you go?"

"To the yurt," I say, looking up at him, still a bit guilty. "I think Midnight is my therapist now."

He laughs, warm and lovely and rumbling. "She's going to charge you an arm and a leg."

"Yes, once Midnight learns about the concept of money, I think we're all screwed," I say on a sigh. "How was it down here?"

easy on me

grateful. You can tell people what you want." I frown a bit,

do not, love," Jackson says with a soft smile, stroking his hand over my hair. “Like we said last night, I need.....a bit

I whisper, nodding, determined to give him all the

his hands deep in his pockets. I look up to see

a little sigh, patting first Jackson's arm and then Marigold's head as I stand up. The little girl gives me a happy smile before turning her head back to her task, clearly delighted

and I go and stand with him there, crossing my arms across my chest. He opens his mouth on a deep inhale, but I beat him

I say, hunching my shoulders a bit. Dad pauses and

-

enrolled in Alpha Academy even if we do bring Marigold along. But..." I glance over at him. "I failed to ask what he wants. And I wish I had taken the time to express myself better. More... patiently." I grimace as I end kind of lamely, looking up at my dad,

and running a hand over my hair. "Apology accepted, Ariel. And I apologize, too, for giving a blanket 'no' without thinking on it. I haven't made any decisions yet,

I

up twenty years ago simply because they're

been done is a flawed way to

a thin line for a moment before I pitch forward, wrapping my arms around my dad and giving him a big hug. He laughs in surprise before putting his arms around me in turn, tucking me close to his chest. I close my eyes briefly