The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0967

"If he could," I sigh, pulling a grape off a stem and popping it into my mouth. "His uncle probably would have already done it." I pause a moment, looking my mate up and down. "So, you're okay with all of that? The whole conversation?"

Jackson shrugs. "Rafe said Luca came around and was all contrite when we were in Atalaxia. I don't like that he was hiding out in the courtyard like a coward. I didn't like the sight of you standing alone with him after he hurt you -"

"But "I protest, sitting straight.

Jackson puts up a hand, smirking at me, silently begging me to let him finish. I grin and sit back. "But," he says, putting steady emphasis on the word. "You're a powerful goddess. You can handle yourself. So, yes, Ariel, I'm good with it. As long as you are."

"Yeah, I am too,” I say quietly, beaming at him.

Jackson leans forward, capturing my hand, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. "The conversation was inevitable. And he'll try it again. You just let me know if I ever need to come in and smack him. You know I'd only be pleased to so."

I grin at Jacks and nod, stretching my hands above my head and yawning.

We spend a little more time just like that - quietly talking together, turning over the events of the past few days, adjusting to our new roles. Eventually we find ourselves curled up in the little loveseat in the corner of the room, sitting quietly, passing emotions passively back and forth down the bond as we sort through our thoughts.

I sip my second glass of wine, my mouth turning slightly down in a frown, my eyes distant as I get a bit lost in my thinking.

is it?" Jackson murmurs, pressing a

I say, jumping a little, turning

tightening his arms around me, pulling me more completely into his lap so that we're

even if I haven't figured out quite how to phrase it, I may as well ask. I finish my glass of

Luca suggested that I wouldn't, or shouldn't, want to raise Marigold with you because she's not the result of a goddess-blessed bond. It gave me...a very bad feeling in my

me carefully. "Why didn't you

slumping. "Because it was mean. Because it implied that Marigold is...lesser.

quirks an eyebrow. "We'll

face bursts into a grin. "You think

and

thought I have given to the question of whether or not you and

screech, even as

with me. "It's not

I just

tel

heaven's sake, I just, found out how kids are made like eight months ago, after I already

say, a bit of