The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 158

Alvez glares at my mate, who leans his heavily muscled body so, so casually against the wall by the window. And I realize, quite suddenly, that Alvez is playing a very, very tricky game here. Because while he is the professor, and does have power over Jackson…

I mean, he can’t exactly make Jackson do anything, can he?

If it were me barging into an office and refusing to leave, Alvez or really any Alpha in the castle could just sling me over their shoulder and hurl me out of the room.

But Jackson?

He’s so physically powerful that the only person who even really has a chance of tossing him bodily out of this office would be Rafe, and then they might have to call in my dad for backup.

And Alvez is clearly very aware of this fact as he leans against the open doorway across the room, glaring daggers at my mate, who is so obviously here because he knows what was going on in this room. Or, at least if not precisely, that Alvez didn’t call me here to help me with my homework.

Jackson doesn’t know what Alvez has over me, but he clearly did not like me being behind closed doors with this man, and I’m deeply grateful for his help.

“Ask your questions, McClintock,” Alvez snaps, arms crossed. “And then go. You’re interrupting Cadet Clark’s time here.”

“Oh, I don’t mind,” I say quickly, sitting up straight and smiling between Alvez and Jackson. “Our magic calls to each other after all, right? Maybe he can help.” I turn my smile singularly on Jackson now, and I don’t miss the fact that the corners of his mouth twitch, just subtly. “Professor Alvez, after all, was just asking after your magical progress, Jackson.”

“Oh really,” Jackson says, slowly turning his head to stare at Alvez now. “After I assured you yesterday, for an entire hour, that I hadn’t made any progress at all. I’m surprised you had more questions, sir.”

Alvez’s eyes narrow as he looks between us. “I considered that your partner perhaps had observed changes that you had not.”

“Shame,” Jackson says, his shoulders tensing as he glares at our professor, “to be wasting Cadet Clark’s time in office hours talking about me, especially considering that his own powers are so much more developed.”

“Are they, McClintock?” Alvez asks, his voice low and subtle now as he moves away from the door, starts to prowl towards Jackson a bit, their eyes locked. “Are you sure?”

I go rigid as I realize the import between Alvez’s words – that he suspects the truth, that Jackson’s keeping his abilities hidden.

But Jackson stays perfectly still, saying nothing and giving nothing away.

I watch, fascinated, as my professor squares off against my mate, as the two stare at each other for a long, tense moment.

And then I clear my throat, reminding them that I’m here.

Alvez flicks his eyes to me before returning them to Jackson. “Ask your questions, McClintock,” Alvez orders. “And then go.”

Jackson takes a long, leisurely breath, leaning back against the wall, clearly making himself comfortable. “I forget them now, all of a sudden, professor,” he murmurs, looking up towards the ceiling. “You’ll have to forgive me – big guys like me, sometimes we’re more brawn than brain. Takes a second to remember the details.”

“I’m very aware of your performance on the intelligence examination, McClintock,” Alvez sighs, crossing his arms, clearly seeing through Jackson’s performance, as he’s meant to. “Don’t insult my own intelligence by trying to pretend you’re too stupid to remember.”

“Must just be sleepy, then,” Jackson says, faking a yawn, his eyes flicking back to me. “Give me a minute, I’m sure it will come back.”

Alvez sighs, moving away from Jackson and flopping back into his chair, glaring up at me like I planned this. I just shrug at him, hoping to communicate – quite honestly – that I had nothing to do with it. Even if I am a bit thrilled at the result.