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?"

far too easy on me because he loves me. "There was

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

hand over my

him all the

over, his hands deep in his pockets. I look up to see him looking at me quiet seriously, a

arm and then Marigold's head as I stand up. The little girl gives me a

and I go and stand with him there, crossing my arms across my chest. He opens

sorry, dad," I say, hunching my shoulders a bit. Dad pauses

-

at him. "I failed to ask what he wants. And I wish I had taken the time to express

apologize, too, for giving a blanket 'no' without thinking on it. I haven't made any decisions yet, and I need to consider all angles, but...you were right in your

I

years ago

a flawed way to manage a school, let alone a

before putting his arms