The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 200

A couple of really good kisses, my wolf counters, her eyes half shut and her tongue lolling from her mouth. I swat her little rump, correcting her, because Luca is one hell of a kisser too.

So…what is different?

Has Luca just done all the hard work and Jackson’s here to reap the benefits? A little guilt twists in me at the idea.

Or, my wolf suggests, lifting her head a little, curious, maybe you just have…a more sexual connection with this mate. They don’t have to be the same. Luca brings his own particular set of appealing characteristics to the table.

But as I consider that…well, that doesn’t quite fit either, does it? Because it’s not like Jackson’s just some piece of meat with no personality, and it’s not like Luca doesn’t get me going.

They’re just…different.

I sigh, taking another bite of my apple, studying it, confused but…well, letting myself be confused, I guess.

Nobody I know has ever done this whole two-mate thing before, at least not that I know of. This is new territory for everyone involved, and I suppose I’m bound to feel this way.

Confusion wipes away, though, the moment Jackson walks quietly back onto our little plateau, apparently having gotten control of myself.

Unfortunately, my confusion is replaced by an immediate and undeniable sense of lust. God, has he seen himself? Does he know how insanely hot he is when he just…walks? The way his shoulders shift, the grace with which he moves -

“Ari,” Jackson moans, stopping a few feet from me and dragging his hand down the length of his face. “You have…you have got to stop doing that.”

I burst out laughing, suddenly terribly embarrassed, because I just sent every one of those emotions right down the bond, didn’t I?

“Okay, okay,” I say, turning suddenly so that my back is to him now. “Here, this is better, I can’t see you anymore –“

He laughs, coming to sit next to me again. “We have to be able to look at each other –“

“No, we don’t!” I squeak, turning away again as he tries to peer at my face, leaning my shoulders back against him and facing the stone wall at the back of the tiny plateau. “I’ll just…stare at these rocks. And pretend that you’re…very, very ugly.”

“Impossible,” I say, but I lower my head to his chest, wanting to please him and, honestly, feeling a little weak and tired after the insane day I’ve had, however short.

“Oh, very possible,” he replies, his voice soft and easy as he strokes his hand over my hair again and again, comforting and steady. “If you want, I’ll recount the hundreds of ancient battles they made us memorize for warrior track – that should put you out –“

I groan, shuddering at the prospect, which makes him huff a little laugh.

“Fine,” he sighs, continuing to pet me, his hand drifting over my shoulders, too, when it reaches the ends of my hair. “Let’s just sit here and…be quiet.”

“You’ll wake me?” I whisper, feeling my eyes drift shut despite myself. “The moment the sun comes up?”

“I will,” he promises. “The moment there’s light to see by, Ari, I’ll wake you. We have a lot to do tomorrow. We need an early start.”

And so I shut my eyes, letting myself rest a little, trusting my mate to keep me warm and safe through the short hours left in the night.