The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 192

My mate, bless him, blushes just a little but then clears his throat, I think wondering where to begin.

I raise my hands to his cheeks, cupping his face between my palms. “Jackson, are you all right? I – I’m so, so sorry.”

“I’m okay,” he says, nodding, his voice choked. “I’m sorry I stormed out of here – I was…really freaked out.”

“Are you still freaked out?” I whisper.

“Oh, for sure,” he says, his eyes widening as he lifts them to mine. And I can’t help it, I burst into laughter. He takes a second and then he laughs too, but his arms wind around me, holding me tighter and I think…well, I think everything’s going to be okay. “Ari, this is absolutely insane – I mean…I was…” he scowls, hanging his head for a second, “I was completely convinced you were a boy.”

He lifts his head and narrows his eyes at me for a second, sniffing the air, as if he still kind of suspects that I am.

I burst out laughing, giving him another shove. “I’m a girl, I promise, see?” And then I raise my hands to my head, making quick work of my braid, letting my hair fall down around my shoulders.

Jackson groans again, taking a second to dip his head close to my hair, taking a deep breath of my scent before he slowly raises his eyes to meet mine again, though his are half-lidded now. “Boys can have long hair too,” he murmurs, sounding a little drunk.

“Do you require further proof, sir?” I ask, sitting up straight, half scandalized and half…well. Tempted.

“No,” he murmurs, ducking his head against me again and pulling me back against his chest, making me smile ridiculously with joy. “No, just…stay here, please. Right here. Don’t ever leave.”

“Have to leave at some point,” I murmur, running my fingers through his dark hair, which is silkier than I thought it would be. “Kind of…a big day tomorrow.”

“I know,” he groans. He lifts his head again, blinking at me, lifting a hand to tuck my hair behind my ear. “Stupid sun. Now would be a great time to blow it up or melt it, you know,” he says, making me laugh again. “Make sure tomorrow never comes and we can just…stay right here.”

“Really?” I whisper, still smiling at him. “You want to spend the rest of our lives sitting in the dirt under this rocky overhang?”

“Me too, Jacks,” I whisper, pressing my hand warm to his cheek, my stomach filled with butterflies – because, honestly, it’s not a lie. “I’ve been waiting for you too.”

He kisses me then – slow, and rich, and deep.

And if that were my magical gift, to blow up the sun and prevent tomorrow coming, or stopping time right now and live in this moment forever?

Honestly, I’d probably do it.

Because this – and Jacks…

It’s just…perfect.