Ch. 61..65: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 61-65

Chapter 61

“McClintock?” Alvez says, smiling at Jackson. “Anything to report? I am particularly interested in the results of this pairing.”

“Why?” Rafe says, the word abrupt. All of our faces turn to brother, Tony leaning around Jackson to get a good look.

Alvez just raises his eyebrows.

“Why?” Rafe asks again, slinging an arm over the back of his chair. “What’s so special about the pairing between Clark and McClintock?”

“Because,” Alvez replies, even. “I have the sense that their magical affinities complement each other.”

Jackson goes rigid in his seat next to me, but I just turn my head, curious. What is this man up to.

“I know it seemed, perhaps, by chance how I paired you up in the last class and for your homework sessions, but the orb gives more than sense that you can do magic. It also gives a sense of what that magic might be.”

“What the hell,” Jesse says, frowning at our professor. “Why didn’t you tell us this last time? Wouldn’t it have been useful to know that whoever we were paired up with for homework was our best match? And, also, that you already know what we can do?”

“I don’t know what you can do,” Alvez corrects, his voice still calm and even though the rest of us are a little ruffled by the news. “I simply have a sense,” he says, gesturing back to the diagrams on the board, “of where your affinities might lay.”

“No, I’m with Sinclair,” Tony says, shaking his head at Alvez. “You should have told us this, if you already know. You expected a lot of honesty from us last class while withholding information.”

“I understand your point, and your objection,” Alvez says smoothly, nodding and looking around at each of us in turn. “But I do find that the results are better when students go into the first pairing with less information and more freedom to experiment. Everything here is

deliberate, planned. I would ask you to please trust me both as a person, and as your professor.”

I narrow my eyes a little at this man, though, my wolf’s hackles raising. Because honestly, I’m not sure I do trust him. Tony is right he asks for a lot while holding his own cards quite close to his chest.

And considering the leverage he’s holding over me…

“So?” Alvez says, turning his attention back to me, raising an eyebrow and perhaps reminding me of that leverage with the little smirk on his handsome mouth. I sigh, tom suddenly between my obligation to this man and my promise to my mate.

But, I think I can find a line to walk between the two.

“We had a result, yes,” I say, trying to channel Jackson’s energy and keep my voice as stony and expressionless as possible. “I melted the marble into a puddle of glass.”

Tony gasps in excitement, but Jesse and Rafe – for whom this no longer a novelty – simply turn to listen.

“You melted the marble?” Alvez says, emphasizing the first word with interest.

“Yes,” I say, not looking at Jackson as I nod solemnly. “I could feel the magic coming from me. Jackson and I tried to do things to the marble together, but when it didn’t work, we both tried individual experiments. I didn’t tell him that I was trying to melt it, I just did it by myself. And it worked.”

Jackson stays silent and stoic at my side.

“Very interesting,” Alvez says, smiling and looking between us. “And, it confirms the placement of your affinity along the lines reported by the orb, Clark. There is indeed an aspect of heat to your magical gift.”

He stands then as Jesse and Rafe stare at me, baffled but also a little delighted to see this information come forward. Alvez stands then and moves towards the chalkboard, beginning to explain the complicated diagram which he has drawn out. He informs us that there are six main categories of magic light, dark, earth, sun, body, and spirit – and they blend and combine in unique ways.

The next hour passes in a blur, so fascinated am I by the lesson. Apparently, my magic is primarily sun magic, if it has something to do with heat. But what I can truly do with it has great deal to do with how much of the other magical categories my magic engages.

“Wait so,” Jesse interrupts, his voice dazed with his own interest as Alvez lays out the details for us. “Why, then, were you excited to see Clark lined up with McClintock? What are his powers?”

Jackson goes slumps in his chair beside me and I sit up straight. “There was nothing –“

But Alvez interrupts. “McClintock is Body and Sun,” he murmurs, still studying the diagram. “I figured the Sun connection between the two of them would produce an interesting result. The whole system is a great metaphor though, it isn’t as precisely scientific and factual as I’d like it to be.”

I look over at Jackson as Alvez’s back is turned and he looks back at me, his face expressionless. But he gives me a steady nod, letting me know that we’re okay – that I haven’t done anything that he feels has betrayed him. I nod back, letting him know that I

won’t.

“Wait, so, what am I?” Jesse asks, all eagerness.

“You, Jesse Sinclair,” Alvez says, pointing to two spots on the diagram, “are heavy on darkness with a touch of spirit.”

“Awesome,” Jesse murmurs, leaning back into his chair. “I don’t know what that means, but it’s definitely more badass than the rest of you.”

I laugh, leaning over to glare at him, but he just grins at me.

“And you, Rafe,” Alvez says, pointing to new spots on the board. “Display a strong affinity for light and body, which is an unusual combination. Cadet Davis, perhaps unsurprisingly,”

says, turning to Tony, “is most promising in the categories of earth and darkness, which explains why he has a connection with water – cool and deep.”

he

“Wait,” I say, frowning as Tony nods, unsurprised. “Why does everyone else get two? You only said sun for me.”

“Because,” Alvez says, leaning forward on his desk and studying me further. “The orb only

reported that affinity for you, Clark. Which is rare. A strong connection to one category – we’ll have to see what the result of this is.”

I scowl, slumping back in my seat, a little disappointed. Jesse is right – just being sun does not compare, at all, to darkness and spirit.

The rest of the class goes quicky, with four of us peppering Alvez with questions while he explains as best as he can. By the end of class I think we’re all as confused as we are excited, though I don’t miss

at all that Jackson simply sits quietly. He doesn’t seem…mad, precisely. He just sits still, like he’s passing the time. Like he’s here because he’s obliged to be, but that doesn’t mean he has to participate.

–

–

“For homework,” Alvez says, startling me out of my contemplation of my mate for a moment as our time runs short. “I’d like you each to return to your pairings and try again. mounted with this new knowledge. Clark and McClintock,” he says, “see if this time you can experiment with making McClintock’s power manifest. And Clark, I’d like to see you in my office early next week for some…private consultation regarding your singular affinity. See if we can make heads or tails of it.”

Rafe goes rigid next to me at the idea. I admit, I do too. Inwardly, my wolf leaps to her feet, baring her teeth. But I just nod to Alvez because… I mean, what other choice do I have?

Chapter 62

Alvez smirks at me and lets me know that he’ll send word about time and place, and then we’re released.

Jackson nods to me, grabbing his bag. “I’ll send word too,” he says, standing up from his desk and looking towards the door.

“Wait,” I say, reaching towards him, wanting him to stop and talk for a minute. Not because I have anything to really say, I realize. Just because… I want to talk to him. “Won’t you just come to dinner, like you did before?”

“You’re already a packed house for dinner,” Jackson says, smirking at me. “Maybe we can… go outside for once. Try to talk to those birds.”

And I smile up at him, my spirit twisting a little with excitement. Because even though it was kind of a disaster the last time I met Jackson alone outside, this time? Well. I think I’d kind of like it.

But before I can express any of that, he’s already gone – striding for the door with no hint of a farewell. I laugh, watching him go.

“Sullen,” Rafe says, coming to my side with his books in his arms, frowning after Jackson.

“Nah, just…not prone to formality,” I sigh, nodding. Because I get it – and now I’m suddenly desperately intrigued to know more about him. What kind of world did Jackson grow up in where he never learned, or was encouraged to eschew, the polite lines of society?

And why did my grandmother the Goddess match him up with me, someone who learned social graces from the cradle as part of my role as the nation’s Princess?

“Come on,” Rafe sighs, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and tugging me with him. “Like I said before – mooning happens in the room, in private.”

“Oh, leave me be,” I mutter, smacking him on the chest, my mind still on my mate as we walk from the room, our cousin at our side.

The rest of the week goes remarkably fast, probably because I’m either being hauled on a

workout or have my nose stuck in a book for the rest of it. Even our dinners, while congenial and full of laughs, usually end with a book in each of our laps, studying. It’s grueling work, but each of us know the stakes of it – and we’re all determined to pass our courses as well as the Examination.

“I don’t know what the Examination is,” Ben replies to me one night when I sit next to him on the floor for dinner. He passively cats a roll as he reads through some dense political theory. “No one does.”

“What?” I say, looking up towards Rafe and Jesse in their usual chairs. Luca, stretched out on the couch, looks up too. “Even you two don’t know what’s coming up in the Examination?”

–

Slowly, Rafe shakes his head. “Dad and Uncle Roger were determined not to tell us. And the cadets who have gone through it – both passed and failed are sworn to a great deal of secrecy, even legally. It’s pretty much the only secret truly kept about the Academy. The only thing we know is that it comes just before the holidays, it’s physical as well as mental, and it’s very difficult.”

“So,” I say, turning my head to the side as I lean back on my palms, my plate of food forgotten on the coffee table in front of me. “Is it like…another obstacle course?”

“Probably harder than that,” Luca replies, “and longer. What candidates have figured out and posted online is that it takes at least forty–eight hours.”

“What?” I breathe, fascinated and intimidated.

“It’s not really worth the effort to speculate and worry about it,” Rafe says, returning his attention back to his book. “You’re doing well, Ari, and we’re prepping you. Have faith in the process.”

“Easy for you to say,” I mutter, glaring at my gigantic, powerful brother. “Some of us actually have imaginations which speculate beyond our will.”

“Some of us,” Rafe replies,

control that.”

Is eyes up to me, a little twist to his lips, “learn to

“Oh, you never had an imagination anyway,” I sigh, letting my shoulders slump. It’s true, though – I spent my childhood half in daydreams, imagining a thousand other worlds and

identities that I played with all throughout the day. Rafe just wanted sports.

“Your curse,” he murmurs. “Not mine.”

I shrug, conceding the point, and attempt to turn my attention back to my Chemistry text as silence retakes the room, the only sound the merry crackle of the fire. Despite my interest in the material, though, my eyes drift to Luca, who lounges with his shoulders against the arm of the sofa, one leg stretched out long while the other is bent at the knee, his text propped against his thigh.

Damn it, but he’s pretty.

And stubborn.

I sigh a little, staring at him, wanting very much to crawl up onto the couch and lay myself out along his side, resting my head on his chest. I want to feel, again, his body against mine. I want to feel his breath rising in his chest, the warm scent of him in my nostrils. I want his arms around me.

But still, he won’t meet me in the dream state. And he seems quite a bit more content than me to just… wait for an opportunity to arise for us to talk in private when I can’t just end the conversation like hanging up a phone.

–

Luca’s right that was unfair, I had too much control in the dream state.

But this? This isn’t fair either.

No – I’m very aware that my mate and I are locked, a bit, in a stalemate, and one of us is going to crack. I am very willing for that to be me, but Luca doesn’t know that there are other reasons for my secrecy.

I mean, if he was my only mate? I’d drop it all right now – just demand, openly in this room, that Luca be let in on the secret and everyone simply accept the fact that he’s an important part of my life. But considering that Rafe knows that Jackson is my mate? And Jesse does not? And that I kind of want to keep it that way for now, so that I can keep some semblance of control over my insane life?

I sigh through my nose, shutting my eyes, wishing desperately that I could just…concentrate on school. I wish that my handsome mate wasn’t lounging on my couch two feet from me,

all languid and irresistible, smelling amazing and

A little nudge prods at my soul and my wolf instantly perks up. My eyes fly open, meeting Laica’s, which are already on me. He raises an eyebrow at me, clearly asking if I’m okay.

I narrow my eyes at him, hoping that he gets the clear message that I would be better if he’d just talk to me. Maybe in the dream state, if he would stop being so stubborn about it.

But he just smirks, and gives me a devastating wink, and drops his attention back to his book.

I sigh again, out loud now, making Ben look up and over at me as I snap my book shut and stand, heading for my nook.

“You okay?” Jesse asks, real concern in his eyes as he looks at me.

“Yes,” I mutter, glaring around at all of them. “Just…tired. And sick of boys.” I snap my curtain shut behind me, flopping onto my bed as Ben’s laugh echoes in the room. And I’m well aware that what I just said could be interpreted as…dangerous, if I’m still trying to keep my secret from Luca.

But…am I anymore?

God, I just don’t know.

I let myself fall into a little daze, cozy and warm and blissfully alone in my nook, studying the night away until I fall asleep.

–

I go into the dream state again, as I have done every night. But as with every other night this week, Luca does not appear. I sigh, wondering how he managed it I mean, it would make sense that he is not obliged to enter, that I can’t just drag him here against his well. Is it that simple, that he’s not here simply because he chooses not to be?

It’s okay, my wolf tells me, suddenly appearing at my side, shaking out her rose–gold fur and pressing her warm body against mine, sweet and comfortable. He’s our mate – we will figure it all out. Don’t worry.

“Do you think he didn’t like it?” I whisper to her, half afraid. “That… I mean, what if I’m bad at kissing?”

But my wolf just laughs, a rich, wolfish sound. Don’t worry about that, she murmurs. He liked it, okay? Our love is rich and good and warm. He is a fool if he stays away much longer. He’s only hurting himself.

And I nod, letting myself believe her as I wrap my arms around her neck and bury my face in her pretty rose–gold fur. She gives my shoulder a lick and rests herself against me, and I drift back into my dreams.

The rest of my nighttime rovings are not nearly so stressful. I am my wolf this time. Instead of having her manifest next to me, I embody her, my paws swift as I run along a dark cliffside, the waves of some cold sea crashing against the rocks below. The moon above is bright and I lift my snout, yipping for joy, letting the cool air flood my lungs as I run and run for the love of it.

–

—

The cliff is endless, of course, as is only possible in dreams, and it never ceases in its stunning beauty. Sometimes, behind me. or maybe next to me I can feel another wolf running. I get glimpses of his huge form, his dark and heavy fur – but I don’t pay my companion much mind. Instead, I get the sense that we’re both happy to simply run.

When I wake the next morning – my Alpha alarm apparently starting to kick in, because I’ve woken before both Jesse and the sun I’m more refreshed than I have been in days. I hop eagerly out of bed,

ready to start my day.

Chapter 63

“Wait,” I say at breakfast, half a piece of bacon already on its way to my mouth, “what do you mean we don’t have class tomorrow?”

“It’s Friday, shrimp cousin,” Jesse says, smirking at me. “Are you aware of these things they call weekends?”

“Don’t be cute, Jesse,” I snap, glaring at him, which only deepens his smirk. “I just didn’t know the Academy acknowledged them. I mean, it didn’t when we were candidates out in the barracks.”

“Probably to prevent brawls,” Rafe says, pouring himself another cup of coffee as Ben, between us, nods in agreement. “Can you imagine those barracks if they didn’t keep us busy every day?”

“I think we should have a party tonight,” Luca says, raising an eyebrow and looking around at us. “Get our hands on some contraband liquor? Really let loose?”

“Get ourselves kicked out, you mean?” Rafe says, immediately putting the dampener on Luca’s idea. “I will go shot for shot with you during winter break, Grant, but I am staying sober here. Too much at risk.”

“Does this mean I’m invited to the palace for the holidays?” Luca says, his brows raising in interest.

“Of course you are,” Jesse answers, instant. “You too, Ben. Bring your families, if you like, there are a thousand rooms in the palace.”

“Nice of you to invite them to our house,” Rafe says, glowering at our cousin, but then he turns his attention back to Luca and Ben. “But yes, of course you’re invited. We’ll show you a good time, and our parents would love to meet you.”

“Okay, so, sake bombs at Midwinter,” Luca says, “but nothing tonight?”

Rafe solemnly shakes his head, decided.

“Boring,” Luca says with a sigh.

“I’ll drink with you,” Ben says, shrugging and looking over at Luca. “Your room, if the Sinclairs are too straight–laced to participate?”

I burst into a grin, looking between Ben and Luca. Ben he’s always a surprise, isn’t he?

“Seriously?” Luca says, smiling at him. “Sweet, I’ll set it

1. up. See you tonight.”

“This is not a good idea,” Rafe says, sitting up to his full height and looking between them, worried.

“Oh, they’ll be fine,” Jesse says, sighing and sitting back in his chair. “I’m jealous, but I’m with Rafe on this one. Sitting out.”

“Shrimp?” Luca says, cocking an eyebrow at me.

I lean forward, eager, wondering really how much of a risk it would be –

“Shrimp,” Rafe says, darting an arm out even over Ben and pushing me again against my seatback, “is staying in, and not participating in contraband.”

I scowl, glancing at my brother, who glares heartily back to me. “Shrimp makes his own decisions,” I say, mostly to be contrary. I mean, I don’t have any real intent to go drinking in Luca’s room, even if my wolf perks up at the idea.

Rafe just rolls his eyes at me.

Even as I smirk at my brother, wondering how long I can torture him with this, I’m interrupted when a waiter comes over with a little folded note on a tray.

“For Cadet Clark,” he murmurs, holding it out to me. I murmur my thanks and take the note, peering down at my name neatly written on the front as all the boys at the table lean. forward eagerly. I look up and around at them, well aware that nothing like this has happened to any of us before.

Jealously, I clutch the note to my chest. “Away, you jackals,” I say, scowling at them all. “My note!”

“What is it?” Rafe asks, reaching for it, but I swat at his hand and Ben takes my side, shoving Rafe playfully back as I quickly unfold the paper before Rafe can grab for it again. Luca

makes a snatch too, but I gasp and pull away, quickly scanning the contents of the note and grinning when I see that it’s from Daphne, inviting me to come down to her room tonight to hang out for an hour or two.

I grin, crumpling the note and shoving it into my pocket. “Sorry, boys,” I say, standing up with a happy sigh and stretching my arms languidly above my head. “Looks like my entire evening just got booked up anyway. I won’t be available for contraband or for hanging out in our boring room.”

Jesse grins at me, intrigued, but Rafe jumps to his feet, demanding to know what the hell is going on and making a mad grab for my pocket. I just laugh and grab my book satchel, making a mad dash for the doors to the Hall, loving that for once I have a secret that he doesn’t.

I mean, I’ll tell him, of course, I think to myself as I streak across the room, hearing Rafe jump to his feet behind me. There’s no way he’s going to let me wander off into the palace tonight all by myself. But I sure as hell am going to enjoy torturing him with the information for as long as I can.

I’m still laughing as I get through the doors of the Hall, but my laughter is cut short as I slam into a big piece of granite –

My breath is all swept from my chest as my butt hits the floor, my hand going instantly to my nose. I gasp, my eyes smarting as I wonder whether or not I’m bleeding-

“Oh my god,” a voice says, “what the hell are you doing!?”

My eyes instantly snap up because obviously, obviously it’s not a piece of granite in the hall.

It’s just my damn gigantic mate.

Jackson crouches in front of me, his eyes frantically scanning my face.

“Is it bleeding?” I ask, taking my hand away from my face. I mean, there’s no blood on my hand, but I can’t really feel anything but rampant pain in my face right now.

“No,” Jackson murmurs, studying me closely, taking my chin between his thumb and his. finger to turn my face back and forth, studying it. “You’re an idiot for running through the halls like that, but there doesn’t seem to be any real damage.”

“It would have been fine if you weren’t just lurking in the doorway,” I sigh, putting my hands on the ground to push myself up.

–

“What the “Rafe’s voice booms behind me, instantly livid. “What the hell did you do to him!?”

Jackson’s eyes go wide as he stands up in a flash, putting his hands up in front of him. “Clark did this to himself,” he insists. “I am not responsible for any of this.”

“He’s right,” I sigh, pushing to my feet and nodding to my brother. “I ran into him I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

“You didn’t see….Ari, how did you miss him!?” Rafe sputters, gesturing to my mate, who is as big as my brother, if not even half an inch taller.

“I don’t know,” I moan, being kind of a baby about it because I know Rafe will let me off the hook. “My face hurts, be nice to me.” I rub my nose, scowling.

Rafe turns to Jackson, sighing and rolling his eyes but letting him know that he’s off the hook.

“Actually,” Jackson says, turning his attention to me again. “I was looking for you.”

Rafe’s shoulders go tense. I look up at Jackson with interest.

“You have an hour before class, right? And I have Friday mornings free. Do you want to get that magic homework in now?”

“Oh,” I say, my eyebrows going up. “Actually, yeah,” I say, my wolf spinning in an eager circle in

my soul. “That’s a great idea.”

“Ari,” Rafe protests, shaking his head. “Even if he has off, I don’t –”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Jackson asks, frowning.

“Well he can’t ” Rafe says, but then he snaps his mouth shut, realizing that….it will be very weird if he tells Jackson that I can’t go anywhere alone with him without my big cousin to chaperone. Rafe sighs and crosses his arms. “It’s dangerous,” he says.

“What?” Jackson says, smirking at him. “You think I can’t protect him?” He gestures to me like it’s it’ll be the easiest thing in the world.

Rafe narrows his eyes, because that is obviously not what he’s worried about.

“It’s an hour,” Jackson says, looking Rafe up and down like he’s being ridiculous. “I’ll walk him to class and everything after. It’ll be fine.”

Rafe’s mouth gapes open for a second as he searches for a reason to protest, but when he comes up with nothing Jackson just shifts his gaze to me and jerks his head towards the long hall. “Come on, let’s go outside and see if you can blow up the sun or something.”

“This is a bad idea!” Rafe calls as I hurry to Jackson’s side and start to walk with him.

“It’ll be fine!” I shout back to him, excited. But as I turn to smile at my brother, to let him see that I really do think that I’m going to be okay under my mate’s protection, my smile falters a little when I see Luca and Jesse standing at the door, staring after us.

Jesse nods and waves to me as Rafe mutters something to him about homework, but Luca?

Luca’s jaw falls open in shock, and then he snaps it shut, crossing his arms and glowering at

1. me.

My wolf yips victoriously inside of me and I have to laugh a little, because quite frankly, he deserves to be jealous. If he won’t meet me in the dream state or talk to me about this thing between us?

Well, here’s my other mate, who very much is willing to make time in his day to spend at few minutes alone with me.

I grin, and subtly take a step closer to Jackson, turning my face up to smile at him. And he smiles right back.

And so I walk out of the castle into the open air at my mate’s side, going for what I can only think of in my mind as….kind of a first date.

 

Chapter 64

I’m absolutely buzzing with energy as Jackson and I emerge through the castle door and out into the sunshine. I keep stealing glances up at him, which he either doesn’t notice or pretends not to, his defined features set in their usual harsh lines. I, however, cannot keep the smile from my face.

We walk in silence for a little bit, me struggling to keep up with Jackson’s long stride. I laugh, after a moment, when he starts to outstrip me.

“What?” he asks, glancing down and a little backwards towards me. “What’s funny?”

“Would you slow down a little?” I ask, grinning up at him. “You’ve got longer legs than I do.”

He does slow then, allowing me to catch up as he glances down at his legs as if needing to see them for proof of their length. He frowns at me as we continue along the path. “Aren’t you used to it, though? Your cousins are as big as me they must walk as fast as I do.”

–

I turn my head to the side, considering this. “I guess they…walk slower when they’re with me,” I say, folding my hands behind my back as I contemplate it. Because I’ve never, ever had to ask them to slow down, even though Jackson is right. A little rush of warmth runs. through me as I realize that they must do it naturally, always using a pace that I can keep up with when they’re around me. They’ve probably been doing it since we were kids.

Rafe and Jesse they really are the best.

–

Jackson just nods, continuing to walk forward.

“So,” I say, breaking our companionable silence. “Where do you want to go do some magic

stuff?”

“Oh, I don’t care,” he says, waving a dismissive hand. “Wherever you want.”

“Really?” I ask, looking up at him again staring freely, if I’m admitting it to myself. “Then…why did you want to come outside?”

He just shrugs. “I guess I just like it out here,” he says quietly. “Not used to being all cooped up indoors all the time.”

“Really?” I say, smiling at him. “What, were you raised in the woods, then? Spent your nights outdoors?”

He looks down at me, smirking. “Something like that,” he murmurs. He holds my gaze for a long moment – so long that butterflies develop in my stomach and I have to look away.

“Do you want to go sit under that tree over there?” I ask, pointing towards a big black oak tree a short distance away, going stunningly orange and yellow for autumn.

“Sure,” he replies, shrugging like he it pleases him just as much as anything else. We make our quiet way over to the tree and I sit down amongst the roots, patting the ground next to me. Jackson hesitates for a second and then lowers himself to the ground, curling his legs up beneath him, a little awkward. I grin, realizing that this big warrior–type probably doesn’t spend a great deal of time casually sitting beneath trees.

I mean, I don’t either not very Princess–y, is it? But still, I hide it better.

I hold my hand out to him, palm up.

“So.” I start, a smile playing at my lips. “What do you want to try to do first?”

“You pick, Ari, I don’t care,” he says, laughing as he takes my hand, his broad palm warm against my small one. A shiver passes through me as the pulse radiates out from us, fluttering the leaves of the trees above us and stirring the grass around. But both of us ignore it.

“You don’t care?”

“No,” he says, smiling and looking down at me. “Do whatever you want.”

“Wait, you called me out here just so that I can practice magic?” I ask, a little baffled. “Don’t you want to try anything yourself?”

“Nah,” he says, shaking his head. “I’m good. I know what I can do. You can experiment. though, especially if my…” he holds up the hands between us, apparently at a bit of a loss. for how to describe the thing that happens when my hands touch him, “helps you. Or whatever.”

“Jackson,” I murmur, shaking my own head now. And then I hesitate, wondering if I should

ask.

He lifts his chin towards me, seeing the question in my eyes and telling me to ask.

“Why don’t you want to tell anyone what you can do, especially if you know?”

He sighs, even more serious than he was before. “Because it’s not anyone’s business but mine,” he replies, his brows lowered.

I cock my head to the side. “Even if it can be…useful? To the nation, or whatever? I mean, isn’t that why we’re all here?”

“Is that why you’re here?”

I consider it for a second, really wondering if I am. But then… “Well,” I say, looking off into the distance a little bit. “Yeah, I suppose that’s why I am here.”

Jackson sits quietly, listening.

“I mean,” I continue, “you know my connection to the royal family, right? We’re all incredibly privileged, of course, but I hope that we use our privileges to help people as much as we can. I am here at the Academy for me, but I do hope that in the end what I do and learn here really can help our nation. Especially in this terrible war.

He nods, letting me know he understands. But otherwise, Jackson stays silent.

“Is that not the same for you?” I ask, really wanting to know.

“I don’t know,” he murmurs. “If I’m being honest, I care more about helping my people.”

“Your people?” I stare at him, trying to figure him out. “Is that are they not the same as… our people?”

“Smaller group,” Jackson

urmurs, his eyes going a bit distant as he thinks about his

answer. “A community within the nation, if that makes sense.”

I nod, because honestly it does. “So, how does being at the Academy help?”

“Well, the salary is pretty good,” he says instantly, which makes me blush a bit because….

Well, because, honestly, I didn’t know we got paid. I make a mental note to ask Rafe about this, and as I’ve done before to be more cognizant of the fact that my family’s personal wealth and position sometimes makes me oblivious to money matters that are constantly on other people’s minds.

Jackson smirks at me, I think intuiting the direction of my thoughts, but he doesn’t say anything. “And the skills we learn here are invaluable. I can take them home, help out when I’m there.”

“Jackson.” I say quietly, squeezing his hand just a touch, because I somehow know that this is a touchy subject. “Where’s home?”

“North,” he says, lifting his chin in the general direction. I look towards it, because that’s where my family is too – the Academy is tucked away in Moon Valley’s southern lands. But when Jackson says North, I know that he means something different than northwards to the capital. He means North the craggy, wild land at the edge of our nation where people tend to live in extreme poverty and clannishness.

–

I’ve met ambassadors from the North before, and I know people who have been there on aid missions, but Jackson – I think is the first person I’ve ever met who grew up there.

“Do you miss it?” I ask quietly, thinking that he must be worried about family up there, if things are as bad as I’ve heard they can be. So, when his answer comes, it shocks me a little.

“No,” he says instantly, looking down at the ground.

I stare at him, confused, but I don’t press. Instead, I seem to know that that’s as much as he wants to say about it – at least for now. So I just tighten my hand

and let it end

there, hoping he knows that I heard him, even if I don’t quite understand.

He doesn’t look at me for a long time, but he doesn’t pull his hand away either. So, I feel a

little emboldened.

“Jacks,” I murmur, knowing that I’m pressing my luck. “What’s your magic?”

My mate just hangs his head and heaves a long sigh.

Chapter 65

“Don’t you just want to see what else you can melt, Clark?” Jackson asks on a long inhale of breath, looking at me with sad eyes. “Come on, I bet you could melt this whole tree if you wanted to.””

–

“Well, one, that’s not good for the environment,” I say, rolling my eyes at him which makes him laugh, just a little. “And two, no, I don’t want to melt the tree I want to talk about you. Honestly, Jackson, I won’t tell anyone you know I won’t. I won’t even let anyone know that I know! I’ll keep your secret.”

“Why does it even matter, Ari?” he asks, looking away from me. “Why do you want to know so badly? It doesn’t change anything.”

A thousand answers flood my mind. That it could help me understand what I can do how. his power compliments mine. That I want to know more about him. That I’m just so damn

curious.

But, in the end, I settle for the truth.

“I want you to know that you have someone here who will keep your secrets, Jackson,” I say quietly, willing him to believe me.

Jackson looks up at me in surprise, his blue eyes wider than I’ve seen them before.

We’re silent again, but as it has been before with us, there’s no awkwardness to it. But then he breaks it.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” he whispers, half baffled and half…suspicious, I realize. Lik

I’ve got ulterior motives or something.

I stare at him, my heart cracking in grief for the lessons his past life must have taught him.

“Jackson,” I murmur, saying his name like a promise. “Why are you so surprised that I genuinely just… want to be nice to you?”

He turns his face away from me like he’s been struck, staring at the ground beneath the tree in shock and surprise. I watch his profile as he swallows heavily, as he presses his lips

together in frustration or…consternation? Honestly, I don’t know what. But I give him the space to process it.

“I don’t have to eat,” he says suddenly, the words falling from his lips in a rush, like they’ve escaped from a dark place and can’t wait to get away.

“What?” I ask, confused.

He looks at me then, his brows drawn, almost angry as he speaks – but I know not at me. “I don’t have to eat like…ever, if I don’t want to. I mean, eventually, I’d have to eat, but…that’s what I can do.”

“Whoa,” I say, sitting up straighter. “That is….that is seriously weird, Jacks.”

He nods solemnly, agreeing. “I also don’t have to sleep, if I don’t want to, for like…days. Longest I’ve gone is three weeks. And I can run for miles and just….not get tired.”

My eyes go wider as his confession progresses. “And like, nothing happens? You can just go?”

He looks at me then. “I get really skinny after a while,” he says, shrugging. “Oh, and I can eat like… everything.”

I laugh then, shaking my head. “I’m not sure that’s magic,” I say, looking him up and down, “Rafe’s as big as you and he also eats like a horse

“No,” he says, smiling at my laughter, “I mean like…I can eat without stopping for as long as I wanted. And I don’t get full I just get…” he looks down at himself, at his seriously impressive musculature. “… bigger.”

“Really?” I ask, my laughter fading as I look him over anew. “So….could you get as big as an elephant if you kept going?”

“Nah,” he says, smirking, “we tried that once. I think my skeleton’s reached its natural height I just get… fat.”

I laugh then, unable to imagine it. Jackson – he’s very fit, isn’t he? “Wait, how fat?”

He groans, putting his hand over his eyes and then rubbing it down the length of his face.

“So fat, Clark, you don’t even want to know. Thank god there aren’t any pictures.”

“What, did you just like, experiment? To see how long you could push it?”

He shrugs, nodding, turning his face back to me. “Wouldn’t you, if you figured out that that’s what you could do?”

“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.”

of his clear desire to connect with

I think, then, on the selflessness of that statement 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.