The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy
Chapter 0474

When I open my eyes, I am indeed still wrapped up in Jackson's arms.

But we're not in my little private nook at the academy - we're sitting on a cliff's edge, looking out over a moonlit sea. "It's cool here," Jackson murmurs, looking appreciatively out over the scenery. "We've only ever come here as our wolves before." "Oh noooo," I groan, pounding my fists once against his chest. "We fell asleep! Jacks! I'm so sorry!"

"Why?" he asks, peering down at me and laughing. "What's the big deal?"

"The big deal," I say, frowning up at him, "is that we didn't get any time together. It's crap, Jacks - I want to see you, to...be around you. And not just when we're unconscious or running or at breakfast."

"Well, this is pretty good, isn't it?" he asks, smiling at me, the cool breeze ruffling his hair.

I sigh, looking around. "Yeah, it's pretty great," I say with a sigh. "But I want you in person too."

"Okay," he says with a little sigh. "But how do we manage that?"

"Jacks," I say, realizing the answer as soon as he asks the question. "I want you to come to study time. And to dinner. I...want you to be a part of the group. It sucked without you there," I say, completely honest, letting him feel it. "I missed you the whole time." He raises his brows at me, hesitant. "But, Luca..."

"Luca doesn't get the whole evening just because you get 'nights,"" I say, shaking my head. "You're part of the group. And you don't have to come all the time if you feel like you can't study there. But, Jacks..." I shake my head. "He can't forbid you. I want you to come. This is...this is your family."

Jackson grits his teeth against the sheer emotion that floods him when I say that, wanting to pay attention to the conversation at hand even though he's a little swept away by the idea that he has a family now - and that we acknowledge him as such. And I know, instantly, that he gives in. "All right, Ariel. I'll come."

"Good," I say, snuggling warm against him. "And I'll deal with Luca this time. We'll just have to...figure it out."

"Okay," Jackson says on a simple sigh, pressing a kiss to my hair, accepting it and - I think - deep down happy and relieved. Because he wanted to be at dinner too - I could feel his wolf wanting to be near mine, even if he wasn't quite so vocal about it. And it means the world to him to have me insist that he belongs as well.

"So," I say, cuddling up at my mate's side, happy and content and peaceful as I look around at the beautiful dark cliffside around me, marveling in its beauty. "What do you want to do? Should we like...shift and go for a run?"

"Nah," Jackson says, dead casual, the wind riffling through his hair as he likewise takes in the scenery. "Let's just make out."

I burst instantly into laughter, tucking myself closer against him, and Jackson grins and looks down at me.

"What?" he asks, and I beam at the sight of his beautiful smile. "What's so funny about that?"

"Nothing!" I say, wrapping my fists into the fabric of his shirt and pulling him a bit closer. "I'm game! I just thought that you were Mr. Let's-Take-it-Slow."

"This is taking it slow," he growls, turning slightly so that he bends me backwards towards the ground, angling his body above mine. "Trust me, Ariel, if we were doing the things that run through my mind most of the time, I would not be earning that title."

As he speaks his voice deepens, hitting that low register that makes my eyes drift half shut, makes my blood race through my veins. "Things like what?" I murmur, wrapping one leg around the back of his, pulling him further on top of me.

"Indecent things," he murmurs, dropping his head to trail his nose along the length of my neck, following it up with a line of serious, intent kisses - each slow and rich, like he's tasting my skin, learning it. Shivers run through me and a little hitched noise escapes from my throat.

Jackson bares his teeth when he hears it, pressing them lightly against my skin.

I shudder, hard.

He lifts his head, looking into my face, and I whine pathetically. "Why did you stop?"

"Because," he murmurs. "I want to look at you."

I stare back at him, at my perfect, brutal mate. At the harsh lines of his face, the softness of his mouth, the stunning blue clarity of his eyes. And as I stare I realize that...I'm never going to get enough of the sight of him - of the strange mismatch of features that blend together to create someone so complex, so stunning. So...fucking perfect.

"You're very beautiful," I whisper, my hand drifting up to touch him almost reverently, tracing my fingers across his lips.

A soft smirk takes his mouth. "Yeah, well. Wait till you see me naked."

I burst out laughing, my head tilting backwards even as it rests against the pillow of his arm. "Listen, I've been trying!" I say, my whole body shaking with laughter that's echoed in his own. "You're the one holding out on me!"