The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 865

Gabriel laughs, low and pretty, and takes my wrist in his warm hand, tracing his fingers lovingly over my skin. A shiver passes through me and lovely sparks bloom in the air all around us, making us smile.

“Big demand to make of a King,” Gabriel murmurs, looking down at the soft flesh of my inner arm. “With nothing to offer in return.”

I laugh a little. “I already cleared you of Darkness today,” I say quietly. “What else do you want?”

“A kiss,” he answers, turning his pretty blue eyes back to me. My breath catches and my wolf yips excitedly in my soul, urging me forward.

Traitor, I growl at her, laughing inwardly.

He’s our mate too, she says, trotting around with her tail held high. Do it! Kiss him!

I smile at Gabriel. “One kiss. After the mark.” I nod decidedly at my arm.

He laughs again, throaty and sensual, and I have to admit…he is very sexy, when he’s not all consumed by darkness.

Do it, do it, my wolf chants. I give her a little smack on the rump, other ignoring her.

“She drives a hard bargain, my mate,” Gabriel murmurs, lowering his mouth to my arm. Gently, almost reverent, he presses a soft kiss there. And then he extends his fangs, and closes his eyes, and sinks them into my flesh, giving me his mark.

I groan, my head falling back on my neck – because it hurts like fucking hell – but it also – god, I can feel it, the bond ringing rich and true in our souls, the magic that floods over to me, his gift as much as my grandmother’s. I pant a little, my eyes pressed tight against the intensity of it, and as I try to balance the new fullness of my soul with the flash of pain that consumes my entire arm.

When it’s done, Gabriel lifts his face from my wrist and slips a hand behind my neck.

“The other half of the bargain now,” he murmurs and pulls me close, pressing his mouth to mine.

Gabriel groans, reaching for me, his wolf howling horribly in pain as my wolf continues to destroy our bond. But even as pain races through me, even as I’m wracked with it, I hold on…

Hold on to just…one little piece, just like Luca did, at the end of his bond with me. One tiny piece to unite us forever. Because I can’t – I can’t bear to let him go completely. He is mine, after all, as complicated as he is, as horrible as he’s been.

Gabriel – my Atalaxian Prince, my mate. He’s mine.

He groans again, slumping against me as my wolf finishes, panting and in pain.

“I’m sorry,” I murmur, stroking a hand over his hair. “I have to go.”

A heavy, demanding knock comes at the door just as Jackson appears at my side to loom over us, angry and worried.