The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"Oh, I think he should be worried," I say, soft and cheerful. A corner of Jackson's mouth turns up but he concentrates on his work, ensuring that the mark is perfectly clean before dabbing some antiseptic cream on it and wrapping it in fresh white cloth.

When he's finished, Jackson ties a little bow around the bandage and then surprises me by taking my hand in his, ducking his head, and then pressing first one quick kiss to my bandaged wrist and then another to the bare skin above it.

I blink at him as he raises his eyes to mine. "What was that for?"

He frowns a little. "I need an excuse to kiss you now?"

I tilt my head. "I just...never imagined you'd have the impulse to kiss the space on my body where another man has marked me. Even if it is under gauze."

Jacks slips his hand up to my elbow before giving me a little tug towards him, catching me and pulling me into his lap when I tilt forward. I smile, nuzzling my face against his bare chest, quite happy to be there.

"I've told you before, Ariel," he says very softly, the words resonating against my cheek as they echo in his chest. "I love every part of you, marked or not. And I've been thinking about it a lot - I'm...incredibly jealous of both Luca and Gabriel for having some claim on you. Some part of me, selfish or biological, wants you all to myself. And I don't know if I'm sorry about that."

I tilt my head up, peering curiously at the sharp contours of his beautiful face.noveldrama

He shrugs, like whether or not guilt in this situation barely matters. "But either way, Ari - these marks are...part of your story, part of your power. Beyond not wanting you to ever be ashamed of them, or think that I don't like them, I want you to know that I accept them. I'm proud of them - proud of you. So incredibly proud of you - every piece. Every piece. I'm very sorry if I made you feel otherwise - I was selfish and.....unthinking. You'll have to forgive me."

My eyes fill with tears as I just stare up at him, completely blown away. Because how can he be so good? This man whose early life subjected him to such neglect and deprivation - how has he grown to be the most forgiving, accepting, wonderful person? With the most open heart?

Jackson lifts a hand to brush warm over my hair, making me smile. "How can I begrudge these marks when they gave you the power to

end a war? I couldn't bear to be set

greedy. You are my mate," he says, his voice dipping low with both possession and love. "But you are still Moon Valley's Princess. And I love and admire and respect how seriously you take that role. Seriously, Ariel, you can't know how much."

"But you ended the war," I say, my voice all creaky with emotion, a few tears finding their way out of the corner of my eyes. "You're the one who killed the King

He smirks. "That was the easy part. Just a little flash of fangs. You're the hero of this entire story, Princess. Twenty years of war and then you're on the scene for what, a month? And it's done."

I shake my head, denying it, knowing it's more complicated than that. Still, I reach my arms up, wrapping them around his neck, wanting to be held tighter closer. "I couldn't have done it without you. Not an inch. You're not taking enough credit."

"Yes, I am," he murmurs, wrapping me up and holding me close. "You did it, but I'm taking full credit for the assist. Be sure to emphasize this to your dad, please, when we get home, so that he accepts me as your mate. He was probably mad when left - I was disobedient, which I know is not his favorite characteristics Your mom and I kind of...arranged it without his knowing."

I burst into a little laugh, my body shaking against his, and I pull my head back a little to smile into my mate's face. "Oh, I think he'll forgive you, Jacks."

“Just talk me up anyway, okay?" Jackson replies, smiling back - that rich, joyous smile. He takes a slow, deep breath, again running his hand over my hair. "Come on. Let's get you to bed."

My wolf howls with joy and I wiggle excitedly against him, making him laugh again as he gets to his feet and carries me back to the ATV and all of our supplies so that we can set up camp.

After all, I will certainly need to get some sleep tonight, exhausted as I am.

Yes, sleep is certainly a priority, I think, stifling a yawn and leaning against my mate's chest.

Yes, a little tent, and a nice warm blanket, and some sleep...eventually.