The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 184

I oblige, taking a quick sip from the canteen as Jackson holds one map in each hand looking them over. He gives a swift nod, handing one back to me.

“Thanks, by the way,” I say, taking my attention from the path for a moment as I hand his canteen back to him. “For…rescuing me. Again.”

Jackson doesn’t say anything, just shoots me a little look and nods like it was the obvious thing to do. But guilt wells in me, because I know that even though his mate and I are one in the same, that he wasn’t actually trying to save the me he knows, Ari Clark – he was trying to save some anonymous girl.

And a little jealousy suddenly wells in me…

But I scowl and brush away.

Because honestly, am I wasting time in this Examination being jealous of myself!? My wolf huffs at me, giving my soul a nip, telling me to pay attention. So I do, pushing myself forward along the ridge as fast as I can, which is slower than I’d like it to be. The terrain has changed now, moving from smooth forest to rocky terrain that slows my steps, even as night falls.

After about two hours, Jackson sighs, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Stop,” he says, and I turn to see him shaking his head as he looks up at the sky. “We need a plan.”

I stop, turning to him as he again pulls out his map, taking advantage of the last gasps of light to review it. I come to his side, standing on my tiptoes so that I can see it as well.

“The bridge is a trap,” I murmur, frustrated.

“It wouldn’t be,” he replies, his voice chagrined, “if we were faster.”

“Jacks,” I sigh, suddenly pissed and a little sick at the idea of him barreling through a gauntlet of cadets at the bridge. “You’re not invulnerable, you’re just big. Stop being so cavalier.”

Jackson takes a second to study me with a frown, I think surprised that someone is worried about him. But then he just shrugs. “It doesn’t change anything,” he says. “We still have to get you across.”

I bite my lip, staring up at my mate’s perfect face, suddenly horribly guilty at all he’s giving up by dragging my tiny little self along in his wake. “Jacks,” I say softly. “Just…go on without me. Leave me behind.”

Slowly, Jackson turns to stare at me like I’ve said the craziest thing he’s ever heard.