The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 934

“Hey,” I growl, pointing my finger between Rafe and Jesse, starting to get pissed. “I am here for Jackson – I have been very kind throughout all of this huge, insane surprise tonight –“

“That boy has been there for you, Ariel,” Rafe interrupts, still very, very serious. “And you dragged him through some pretty devastating mud over the past couple of months –“

I squeak in protest, turning to stare at my brother with my mouth open. “I so did not!”

“Two other mates?” Rafe says, arching an eyebrow at me.

“Both of whose marks you got before Jackson’s?” Jesse adds, forcing me to spin to glare at him in turn.

“None of which was my fault!?” I counter, glaring hard.

“We’re not blaming you,” Rafe says, and I turn back to him. “I’m just saying – if you’re not completely there for Jackson – without hesitation, without question – I’m going to judge you for it. Hard. That guy has been at your side through a great deal of stress. He deserves the best in turn from his mate.”

My mouth suddenly turns down in a worried frown. “Do you…are you saying this because you seriously think I’m not going to do that? That I need to be told how much Jackson loves me and how good he is to me? That I’d just be good to him in turn because of forced reciprocation!?”

“No, Ari,” Jesse says, scootching closer and putting a warm hand on my shoulder. I turn to him now, that desperate frown still curving my lips. “We’re just saying – if you were considering taking your time to work through your own emotions on this – don’t. He’s going to need your full and unconditional support right from the start.”

“Well, he’s got that,” I whisper, staring at Jesse.

“Good,” he says, nodding deeply to me.

My brother and my cousin both sigh and simultaneously sit back in their chairs. But I am not yet so relaxed. “Where is this all coming from!?” I whisper.