The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 570

The Goddess beams at my question. “You really like this one, don’t you?” She nods her head to the side to indicate Jackson, still frozen next to me.

I raise my chin, my teeth clenched, not bothering to answer. Because I’m sure she can see it, read it in every line of me – that Jackson is the most precious thing in my life right now. And that if she takes him from me and gives him to another mate?

There’s going to be hell to pay.

I mean, I have no idea how I would wreak vengeance on a Goddess but…I would figure it out.

The Goddess laughs, light and tinkly, and again comes close, wrapping me up in her arms. “No, my flame,” she says, enveloping me in her grace, allowing it to flood and comfort me. “You are his only mate – I am not so generous with my gifts as you might think me. I don’t know what sparked his magic – probably puberty, or something like that. All of your mates are only mated to you. They are my gift! Enjoy them.”

When she pulls away I wipe briskly at my face with my wrist, wiping away the fast tears of relief that sprung to my eyes.

“Okay,” I say, nodding and sniffing, looking down at my feet. “Th…thank you.”

“Oh, I do like you, little girl,” the Goddess says with a graceful sigh, drawing my eyes back to her face. “You are living up to your promise. Now. Get those marks.” She points a willowy finger at me and gives me – of all things – a cheeky wink.

But there’s no time to consider my shock as time snaps back into place, everyone jumping a bit and looking around in confusion. I grimace a little, seeing what everyone else sees - that the Goddess is in a different place than she was what they perceive as half a second ago and that I’m suddenly standing with my chair knocked over.

“Ariel,” Jackson gasps, reaching for me, a hand going around my wrist. “What – are you –“

“I’m fine!” I say, my voice still a little choked as I fold my hand into his and give it a squeeze before turning towards my chair, picking it up and settling a little awkwardly into it, trapped as I am under six wondering stares. “Um. No need to…look at me…everything is normal. Nothing happened just…lost my chair for a second.”

Everyone continues to stare at me, no one believing my blatant lie.

“So, are we done here?” the Goddess asks, smiling beatifically around at everyone.