The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 541

We make it through our run in record time, I think each of us feeling Jackson’s nearly limitless energy flowing through us and grateful for it.

“Seriously,” Jesse says, beaming at Jacks. “You should bottle this stuff. Sell it on the black market. Make millions.”

“I don’t need millions,” Jackson murmurs distractedly in reply, his hand on his hips, looking out over the hills in the distance outside the castle. “Also, don’t you two get hooked,” he says, turning back to aim a little glare at Jesse and Rafe. “I have a lot of energy built up in reserves but it would take work to supply four people every day. So. Only in emergencies.”

“What, and Ariel gets energy on tap whenever she demands it?” Rafe asks with a smirk, gesturing towards me.

“Yes!” I say, pumping my fists into the air even as I pant, my body still recovering from the long run. I’m still not really able to keep up with them, even if I am getting better. “Mate privileges!”

“No,” Jackson corrects, giving me a glare, even if he can’t help smiling as he does. “Just…a little bit in the morning. To help you with your crazy schedule.”

“We’ll see,” I say, patting his arm in an ameliorating way and giving Jesse and Rafe a wink, letting them know I’m in charge.

“All right, enough of this,” Rafe says, pressing the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger and looking so much like dad when he’s trying to concentrate that I break into a wide grin. “So, we’re agreed? Jesse goes to the computer lab to get a laptop and a router, I go to the Captain’s office to request an emergency video call with mom, Jackson goes to get Luca before he can leave for breakfast so he can tell mom the plan for the gym before we have the magic chat, and Ari…”

“Cleans up the room and makes it so our mothers don’t know we live like wanton slobs and my boyfriend kind of moved in!” I say this cheerfully, my hands perched jauntily on my waist.

“Voice down, Ari,” Rafe murmurs, glancing around, even though we’re all alone. “We’re still at least pretending to operate under a veil of secrecy.”

“Maybe Jesse’s shadows can do that,” I say cheerfully, beaming at him. “Could you make like…a shadow dome?” I lift my hands above my head and spread them wide in a circle. “Though which people couldn’t see or hear?” Jesse tilts his head to the side, I think intrigued by the concept.

“All right, let’s go,” Rafe sighs, all business, dismissing the questions about Jesse’s magical potential. I laugh and together the four of us head into the Castle before breaking into different directions.