The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 966

“You’re going to love it –“ I say, grinning at Marigold, who sits up, as intrigued as her dad. “It’s called Mystery Hunk saves –“

“Give me that –“ Jackson snarls, snatching for it. But I burst out laughing, pressing it closer to Marigold instead.

“It’s her present, Jacks, you can’t take away her present –“

“Dad!” Marigold bursts out, desperately pleased, pointing at the image of her father on the front of the magazine.

“Oh my god, Marigold,” Jackson groans, leaning far over and reaching for it. But when his fingers curl around it Marigold gasps, clutching it to her.

“My mystery hunk!” Marigold protests, her eyes going big and round with worry.

“Yeah, Jacks!” I say, cackling a bit with glee, grinning at my mate. “It’s her book!”

Jackson sighs and releases the magazine, letting her have it. “I’m taking that back the moment you learn how to read, Marigold.”

She brushes that point aside, smiling down at the magazine. “Mystery hunk.”

“Yes, that’s daddy!” I say, laughing, a little delighted. “What a great story!”

“You’ll pay for this,” Jackson sighs, turning his eyes to me.

My grin widens as I crawl closer to him, snuggling up and letting him pull me into his lap. “I’d better,” I murmur, passing him a sultry little pulse down the bond. He laughs at that, low and deep, pulling me close to his chest.

“You good?” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my cheek just below my ear.

“I’m amazing,” I whisper, turning my face and pressing a kiss to his mouth in turn – much more chaste than I’d like it to be, for Marigold’s sake.

Jackson carries me through the living room and we give a little wave to the boys who are gathered there, but I murmur him to keep going, wanting privacy tonight. Following my directions, Jackson carries me to one of the dining rooms very close to the family apartments. This dining room is my favorite because it’s so tiny and cozy – really only suitable for two or three people. Mom and dad use it for their date nights, or for one-on-one meals with each of us kids.

I use an intercom to call a request for some simple food down to the kitchens and then settle in close to my mate, filling him in on everything that happened in the courtyard. Jackson listens quietly but intently, nodding along, only snarling softly to vent his anger about Luca’s behavior. But as I tell him everything that happened over the next twenty or so minutes until the food is delivered, keeping absolutely nothing back.

And as we begin to eat the simple but full charcuterie board, I can’t keep my smile from growing. Because even though I can feel that Jackson is unhappy about Luca’s audacity in coming here, trying to start things with me again, he never, not once, directs a single ounce of anger, or distrust, or hesitation towards me.

Instead, my sweetheart mate only listens and trusts, knowing with his whole self that I’d never betray him. Not even for a moment does Jackson begrudging me my right to speak alone to anyone on earth – even Luca or Gabriel - because Jackson trusts in me, believes in us.

And if anything, my love for him only grows richer and deeper in this moment. My Jackson – he’s all warmth and support. I steel my heart again in my determination to do everything I can in this world to deserve him.

“Luca Grant,” Jackson murmurs, reaching across the table for a slice of apple and cheese as he shakes his head with a bit of bafflement. “He should bottle and sell his confidence. He’d make a fortune.”