The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy



After mom, Cora, and Tony leave, I send an experimental shout down my bond to Luca telling him to come up for dinner. I mean, we're too far apart right now for us to pass emotions, but Jackson heard my wolf all the way from his room before - can Luca do the same?

As I begin to clear the plates from the table and send them down in the dumbwaiter, wondering if I'll have to just go downstairs myself and grab Luca and Ben, I'm startled a bit out of my thoughts when Jackson places a gentle hand on my back. I jump a bit, nearly dropping the plates in my hand, as I snap my head up to look at him.

Jackson grins down at me. “You have to get better at paying attention to your surroundings if you're going to be an effective spy,” he murmurs, though there's no real critique in his words. I grin, stepping closer to him as he starts to take the plates from my hands, wanting to help.

"How do you know that looking distracted wasn't just part of my cover? That I wanted you to think I was distracted so I could lure you in?" "Because," he says dryly, smirking at me as we walk towards the dumbwaiter together. "I could feel your worry down the bond."

I scowl as he pulls open the tiny elevator's door and we begin to stack the dirty plates inside. "Yeah well," I sigh. "A real target wouldn't be able to feel my emotions."

"Good," Jackson growls as we finish stacking plates. "I'm selfish about those - I like keeping that all to myself." I grin as Jackson pushes the dumbwaiter door shut and presses the button for the little bell that's next to the door before putting a hand on my hip, pulling me towards him as he sits down on Rafe's bed and looks seriously into my face, settling me so that I'm standing between his knees. "Seriously, Ariel? What's wrong?" I bite my lip and shrug. "It was...just a scary morning, wasn't it?"

Jackson shakes his head, raising a hand so that his thumb brushes over my cheek. “I know it's more than that,” he whispers. And I close my eyes, a whoosh of air coming from between my lips as I let myself remember it, let myself...notice it.

This new thing that's awake in me now, a darkness that curls and smirks just...just like he did. I lean a little closer to Jackson, wanting him near, and his hands are instantly there, folding neatly around my

waist, holding me steady.

"I want to tell you," I whisper, nodding. "But...I want to tell mom as well. Is that okay? If I told you both together, tomorrow?"noveldrama

"Of course," he answers, moving his hands around my back and letting me fall against him, wrapping me up in a tight hug that does wonders for my fears.

I sigh, tucking my head close against him, my forehead resting against his neck as I take a deep breath of his scent. Jackson who is just...so good to me. And so safe. The darkness is still there, but in Jackson's arms it seems to matter less.

"Of course, Ariel," Jackson murmurs, running his hand softly up and down my back. "Whatever you want, love." I nod my head against him, taking one deep breath after another.

But a minute or two later, I raise my head when I hear the door creak open.

"Um," Ben calls out, peeking into the room. "Don't you guys feel like you should start...locking this? Or something?"

I grin, standing up straighter, peering towards the door with a bit of delight as I see Luca come into the room after him.

"Oh, well, if the door couldn't hold

back Jackson and Luca," Jesse answers, dry, looking up from his spot at the center of the room where he and Rafe are breaking up what's left of the old door, "then what's the point of a lock?" Ben and Luca laugh as they come in and immediately help my brother and cousin stack the pieces of the door up by the fire, where I can use them as firewood.

"How'd you two know when it was time to come up?" Rafe asks, peering interestedly at Luca and Ben as Jackson and I make our way over, greeting our friends.