The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

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.

I moan a little at this too, tasting my blood on his lips, my wolf howling for want of him. Because it's true I do - I want him. I want to explore things with my most challenging mate, the only one who has ever truly stood up to me. I want to stay, and to help him get better to help this entire land and all of it's people. noveldrama

I want him. I want him badly.

But...not nearly as much as I want Jacks.

I run my hands through his hair once, cupping the back of his head in my palm,

and move my lips one last time against his before I pull away.

"Gabriel," I whisper, smiling softly at him, regretting it but knowing what needs to be done.

He just looks back at me, his eyes half-lidded and stunned.

"Gabriel, I reject you," I whisper, meaning it with every inch of my heart.

My wolf howls as she stands at the edge of the bridge between our souls, howling mournfully before she lowers her teeth to the edge of the bond and begins to tear it away.

Gabriel groans, reaching for me, his wolf howling horribly in pain as my

wolf continues to destroy our band. But even as pain races through me, even as I'm wracked with it, Chold 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 iş, 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.