The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 187

“What!” I shriek, scrambling to my knees and knocking the fruit and bread out of my lap.

“Shh!” Jackson hisses, turning back towards me and holding out a hand, looking at me like I’m crazy. “Don’t be an idiot, Ari! If we’re waiting for dawn to move into the ravine, others are too! And they will come for us! Just…be quiet, all right!?”

“Jackson!” I whisper, full of rage, ignoring his words and getting to my feet, striding towards him, “you are not leaving me here!”

He huffs a little laugh, clearly implying that I couldn’t stop him if I tried. “Yeah, Ari, I am.”

“You are not!” I put my hands on his chest and shove, angry.

“I’ll be back!” he says, not budging an inch. “I promise, all right? I’m not abandoning you – I’ll be back at dawn, I’ll help you. I just…”

And I go still as I see his head turn again, back the way we came, back to where…

Well, back to where he imagines she is.

His mate, alone.

His mate, frightened in the wilderness, needing his help.

And then even though I assured him that she’s safe, that there’s nothing wrong, he can’t leave it.

“Jackson,” I beg, wrapping my fists in his shirt and staring up at him. “Please, please don’t do this.”

But I dismiss the thought, instantly. Because my mate – he won’t hurt me. His body, his biology won’t let him hurt me.

Except…well, except if he doesn’t know who I am.

I push it all away, stepping into his space now, unable to help it. “I know that she’s safe the way I’ve always known, Jacks,” I reply, my voice low with my own anger in response to his. “Have I ever betrayed you? Have you ever not been able to trust me? Have –“

“I probably shouldn’t have been trusting you this entire time!” Jackson suddenly exclaims, throwing up his hands in the air. “I don’t know why I do! I mean, is this your magical gift, Clark!? Making me act like a god damn idiot!? Making me constantly, consistently turn away from my mate and just believe you that one day you’re going to tell me what the fuck is going on!?”

“You trust me because you know I’m trustworthy!” I snap, putting my hands on my hips. “What was all of that about friendship earlier!? About not abandoning me because I’m the only one who’s been nice to you?”

“And what is that about, Clark?” Jackson says, his voice a little more dangerous now as he steps closer to me, moving so close that his chest bounces against mine, making me fall back a step. I regain my footing fast, scowling at him, suddenly livid that he’d bully me like that – use his larger form to intimidate him.