The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Jackson grins.

"Are you ready for all of this?" Dominic asks, his eyebrows knitting together with worry.

Jackson's smile falls. “Ready for what?"

"For...this," Dominic says, waving around to the ridiculous closet and all that it implies. "Fatherhood to three kids. A life as a member of the Royal family, a national figure, a political entity unto yourself. The Princess's consort. As the father to Princes and Princesses. It is...not a simple life, Jackson."

Jackson clenches his jaw and looks down into his drink, truly considering it. Inwardly Dominic's powerful wolf shakes out his fur, quite pleased with his new son-in-law, pleased that he takes the time to consider the question instead of just blurting out whatever it is he thinks Dominic wants to hear.

"I'm ready for it," Jackson says quietly. "Or, if there are ways that I'm not...I know she'll help me. If this is what life with Ariel and these children is, then I'm ready for it."

"Good man," Dominic says, putting his drink down and opening his arms to Jackson. Jackson goes a bit still, not knowing what to do, which just makes Dominic laugh as he steps forward and wraps Jackson up in a hug.

Jackson's eyes fly wide as Dominic presses a kiss to the side of his head because...he's never, ever had a mark of affection like that from another man. From a father figure, at that.

stepping back and keeping a hand cupped around the back of Jackson's head. "We love you, kid. I love you. We're so pleased

once incredibly pleased at the words and simultaneously remarkably embarrassed at the

smiles, missing nothing, and pats Jacks on the back. "Come on, let's go back out there," he says on a sigh, guiding Jackson back towards the door. "Ella's probably

murmurs, still a little

I know it," Dominic says on a

from her. "I don't want more pineapple

end of a fork. Isnarl and push her

pulling another off the stem and winding back his arm. Rafe and Marigold laugh, Goldie reaching for the grapes in Jesse's hands, wanting

door opens again, turning our worried eyes

jumping off the couch, dashing towards her father. Jackson's face breaks into a smile as he bends down and scoops the little

to see you're in one piece, Jacks," Rafe says, leaning back against

warm and loving and proud and happy. My face breaks

waited

says, waving

over her