The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 131

“I suppose,” I murmur, turning my head. “Though didn’t you get bored, when everyone else was asleep? And like, get sick of the taste of food?”

“Yes!” he says, his eyes going wide as he laughs. “That’s exactly what happened – and nobody gets that. Like, after eighteen blackberry pies…you never want a slice of pie ever again.”

I laugh, squeezing his hand and nodding at him. “It’s really incredible, Jackson,” I sigh, so happy that he told me, so honored that he trusted me enough to keep his secret. “It’s one hell of a power. I wish I could borrow it, would probably keep me up through these long nights of studying.”

“Well,” he says, looking down at our clasped hands. “Maybe you can…”

“What?” I ask, also looking down.

“Clearly, there’s some sort of connection between our…magic,” he murmurs.

Inwardly, I correct him. Us, I think. There’s something between us. But I clench my jaw to keep from blurting it out.

“I think…well, I think that you were able to melt the marble because of whatever connects our magic,” he says, and I nod, agreeing. “So…maybe I can pass mine to you or something. Who knows.”

“How do we experiment with that?”

Jackson shrugs. “Next time you’re tired, come find me. See if I can pass some energy to you. I’ve got plenty of it – it’s annoying, honestly.”

I grin, pleased to see him talking more casually now, like one would to a real friend.

Or a MATE, my wolf corrects in my mind, trotting anxiously back and forth. She’s pissed, I know, because she wants me to tell him my secrets, to be as open with him as he’s been with me.

Soon, I murmur to her, stroking a hand over her fur. Not yet.

She huffs but lets me be.

“Why is it annoying to have so much energy?” I ask.

“Constantly have to monitor it,” he murmurs, looking into my face now, studying me, I think, in the same ways that I’ve studied him. “It all comes down to what I eat. If I eat too much, it manifests in either sleeplessness or weight gain. If I eat too little, I lose muscle.” He sighs, shaking his head. “It’s annoying, counting calories.”

“Jackson,” I say, dry, raising an eyebrow. “I’ve seen you eat breakfast – that mountain of pancakes?”

He laughs, seeing the direction of this.

I roll my eyes now, “you’re not counting calories.”

Jackson grins at me with a shrug. “Fine, it’s not a precise science. But I’ve had enough sleepless nights to know not to push it.”

“Well, fine,” I sigh, putting my chin in my hand and resting my elbow on my knee while I gaze at him. “If you want to pass me energy when it comes time to study for exams, I am not going to say no.”

“Good,” he murmurs, smiling a little. “At least this gift will benefit someone besides me, for once.”

I think, then, on the selflessness of that statement – of his clear desire to connect with someone, to be a help. And then, interestingly, how much it relates to what he said about wanting to help the people of his community…

But also, how he doesn’t miss them.

Honestly, what has been his history?

I know better than to press now, though. I have a feeling that Jackson is probably finished confessing for today.

“So,” I say, grinning up at him. “What’s the longest you’ve stayed up?”

Jackson laughs then, tilting his head back and pressing his eyes shut, clearly remembering something either hilarious or terrible. “Ari, honestly, you don’t want to know.” I smile as my eyes go immediately to the long length of his throat, the soft skin at the base of his neck. I have to bite my lip then, resisting the urge to bend forward and press my lips there.

Do it, my wolf hisses.

I just sigh and mentally press a hand to her fur. Someday, I promise.

“No, tell me!” I insist, tucking my emotions away and forcing myself to be, instead, the friend he so clearly needs. “I want to know.”

And, to my delight, Jackson turns to me and begins.