The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 322

Chapter 0322

"What's wrong with Jacks?" I ask, a little frantic, turning to look her in the face.

"See?" mom says, sitting up with a grin and pointing her finger at me, poking me in the chest. "The fact that you keep assuming something is wrong with him tells me that you know something is up too."

"That's not a ridiculous assumption to make when someone says they want to talk about someone, mom," I say, glaring at her a little and slumping back against the pillows, taking the last sip of my coffee and putting the cup on my bedstand.

"I know, but you did it at breakfast when he wasn't there, too. He's a big, powerful Alpha, Ariel - why do you assume he can't take care of himself?"

I sigh, pressing my hands together and screwing my mouth to the side as I consider my mom, who is so pretty, and considerate, and kind. But I know that she's asking for a reason, and I don't know how much Jackson told her, or how much he'd want me to reveal. "Well, Jackson's kind of..." I hesitate, not knowing what to say.

"He's precious, isn't he?" Mom says with a little smile, staring at me with a whole heap of love in her eyes.

"So, you see it too?" I ask, leaning forward a bit. She nods. "He's so...you're right, mom, he's so powerful, but he's so delicate too -like he totally doesn't understand this world, and he doesn't know how to move around in it, and he's so hungry for someone to love him - but I don't even think he knows that. I just feel...very protective of him."

"Oh, baby," mom sighs, beaming at me and reaching out to pat my cheek. "I'm so glad you see it too."

"How could I miss it?" I say, a little awed.

"Well," she says, with a shrug. "I think...pretty much everyone else in his life has missed it. He's so... rugged. I think people just assume that what's inside matches the outside." She pauses a minute, considering. "He told me a little bit about where he comes from. It...it doesn't sound good."

"What did he tell you?" I ask, fascinated and curious, glad she knows so that we can talk about it.