The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 211

“Yup, dad’s somewhere – I’m shocked he hasn’t come running yet,” mom says, dropping Jackson’s hand and fluttering her hand at him. “Rafe’s right – shower for you, and then Ariel is next. Because if your dad meets your mate covered in your blood and your scent – he’s going to flip.”

Jackson, as freaked out as he should be, presses a quick kiss to my head and then stands up. “I’ll be right back,” he says to me, looking down at me with worry. And I grin at him, touched a little – but what does he think, that I’m worried he’s going to run away or something?

“I know,” I murmur, reaching for his hand giving it a little squeeze. “Don’t worry. I’ll be okay.”

Jackson hesitates, I think fighting the instincts that tell him to stay absolutely by my side at all times, but then he sighs when Rafe wraps a hand around his arm and starts to pull him away.

Mom and I both watch as the two head for the second door in the chamber, which I guess leads somewhere else – communal bathrooms? Who knows.

And then, when my mate and my brother disappear and the door swings shut behind them, my mom turns to me with a grin.

“Well,” she murmurs, her eyes flicking over me impishly, “you’ve been busy, haven’t you, daughter?”

And I just moan and put my head in my hands, sinking back against the pillows.

Mom just laughs, shoving me gently aside and coming to snuggle up against the pillows next to me. “Oh, don’t pretend that you’re all tired now –“

“I am tired!”

“Not too tired to gossipthe women in this family are never too tired to gossip. Come on, baby! I want to hear everything! I’m dying over here – we haven’t had any news of you in months –“

“Okay, okay,” I grumble, secretly pleased as my mom wraps an arm around me and pulls me close. Because she is right – I am dying to talk to her, and the ladies in this family – we really can talk. And so I launch into my story, laying my heart out plain for her.

I squawk in surprise, sitting up straight and staring at her. “Did you just call my mate hot!?”

Mom bursts out laughing, shaking her head. “I mean, he is, Ariel –“

“That’s so gross!” I gasp, swatting her arm. “You’re my mother –“

“Your mother who has eyes,” she continues, laughing hysterically, “besides, I mean, it’s not as if the two of us don’t have a similar type.”

“WHAT!?” I shout, appalled.

“Oh come, on, Ariel,” mom says, rolling her eyes as she tries to get the words out around her vivid laughter. “Are you seriously trying to tell me that you haven’t noticed the similarities between your mate and your dad? I mean, talk about daddy issues –“