The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy
Chapter 0500

"Oh, put me down," I sigh, defeated, going limp and smacking at Jackson's back as Jesse and Rafe likewise step aside, checking in on each other, speaking softly. "I'm shamed enough by my lack of athleticism, you don't have to rub it in."

"You did very good today," Jacks lies, setting me back down on my feet and slipping his hands into his pockets, I think to avoid the urge to touch me more, to pull me in tight against him like I very much want him to. My wolf howls sharply at being so denied and I sigh, grinning at my mate. But then I glance at my brother, deep in conversation with my cousin, and step closer to Jackson. "So, what was that about?"

"Rafe was in a mood," Jacks says casually, glancing over at him. "We talked it out."

"Well?" I press, stepping even closer and peering up at him eagerly. "What did he say?"

"Um, he said it's a bro secret," Jacks says, his face breaking into a brilliant grin. "And that I don't have to tell you everything. And that he and I are allowed to have privacy, because we're friends, without you butting in." I scoff, aghast, even as - secretly, inwardly - I'm thrilled to see the pair of them growing closer. But still - the great sin of denying me gossip deserves immediate punishment. I pitch forward, giving Jacks a hearty shove that, as usual, doesn't make him budge at all. "Jacks! That's so unfair! I tell you everything!"

"Which is your choice, Clark," Jacks says, smirking at me as he works hard to keep his hands in his pockets, knowing that public displays of affection are forbidden. Even though I can tell that it's killing him a little bit right now.

"You'll pay for this." I growl, leaning forward with my hands on my hips, glaring up into his face.

"Can't wait," he counters, leaning forward until our faces are quite close. Much closer than they should be. My breath hitches a little in my chest.

"If you two are done being...weird," Jesse calls over to us, and we both turn towards him with guilty smiles. "Then shall we go to class? We're running late, since two of the four of us decided to go on an emotional journey."

Rafe laughs but smacks Jesse on the shoulder, heading inside. I grin, glad to see my brother in a better mood - because we all knew something was up this morning. I turn my smile on Jackson as we follow the pair of them into the castle, glad that he was there for my brother, glad that he apparently helped.

"What do you have going on today?" Jacks asks, returning my smile.

But unfortunately, it's precisely the wrong question to ask. My smile drops immediately into a scowl as we enter the elevator after Rafe and Jesse. "Marksmanship," I say with a sigh. "I'm crazy nervous about it."

"Why?" Jacks asks, frowning at me and wrapping a warm arm around my shoulders after the doors shut and we have a moment of relative privacy. "You're a great shot and the Captain likes you - he bet on you. You made him a bunch of money."

"My inheritance," Jesse sighs, mockingly mournful. I grin at him, but then look back to Jacks.

"I just...want to be good at it," I say with a sigh. "And now that I'm the only student, I feel a great deal of pressure. I know I'm being irrational, I'm just...nervous."

"You'll be great," Jacks says, giving me a squeeze and a kiss on my hair just before the doors open on his floor. "Stay confident! You'll shoot better if you're confident!"

Then he gives me a final grin before turning and walking away down the hall, waving over his shoulder as he goes.

"Look at him, learning to wave goodbye when he leaves," Jesse murmurs as the elevator doors slide shut. "Becoming so cultured."

"Yeah, he's doing good," Rafe says fondly, his eyes still on the doors.

And I step close to my brother, happy and pleased that he's found a real friend in my mate.

When I get to the gym where we usually hold the sniping-track classes, the Captain is waiting for me. But to my surprise, he immediately hefts a bag with a thick fabric strap up onto his shoulder when he sees me, lifting his chin towards the door. "Back out," he says, a tiny smile deepening one corner of his mouth. "We've got a new spot for you, Clark."