The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 770

Then I look up at Jacks, incredibly anxious about how he’s going to react to the news.

“It’s okay,” he says, quite soft, looking down at me like we’re the only two people standing in this clearing. He lifts his hand to my face, softly stroking my cheek with his thumb. “Doesn’t change anything for me. I’m still not letting that jackass anywhere near you – but if you still have part of a bond?” he shrugs. “At least we know some weird other mate isn’t going to come and mess up our lives. Yeah?”

“Yeah,” I say, giving him a tremulous smile, nodding.

“It’s fine, tiny,” he murmurs, dipping his head to press a kiss to my forehead. “It’s precisely fine. Don’t worry about me.”

I close my eyes for a moment, turning my head and pressing my cheek to his chest, again wondering how I got so lucky as to have this calm, patient man as my mate. He holds me tighter, letting me feel his support.

“Ariel,” Rafe says after a moment, quiet, making me open my eyes and focus on him. “How does it feel, the magic now? It looked…different.”

“Yeah,” I sigh, standing up straighter and pulling away from Jackson for a moment. “It…feels different than when Luca was standing right here with me. It’s…unsteady. Harder. Do you…” I bite my lip, looking towards my mom. “Do you think he can feel it, mom? I don’t…I don’t want to be taking the magic from Luca, not if he were unwilling to give it.”

“He gave you the mark willingly, baby,” mom says, stepping forward and cupping my neck with her palm, looking me sadly in the eyes. “I think he gave you the magic along with it, even if he didn’t mean to. I think it’s okay. I don’t think it’s a violation.”

I exhale and turn away from Jackson, reaching again for his hand.

“Let ‘er rip, tiny,” Jacks murmurs, pressing a kiss to my hair, ever-supportive and lovely as he always is. “Let’s see what you can do.”

With a last glance toward mom and Cora, my heart breaking for these two women whose children were kidnapped today and who are still finding the strength to help me, to help their nation, I turn back towards the fire. And, determined to do whatever I can to help, I exhale and begin to experiment with the fire and the wind, seeing how high and steadily I can raise it.