The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 379

Chapter 0379

"I thought you said a shower wasn't going to change the way I smell now?" I say, frowning at Rafe.

"It's going to help," he says, turning back to me and raising his eyebrows. "Seriously, Ariel, you...you smell like you took a bath in eau d'Jackson. It's not a bad thing but it is...a statement cologne."

I laugh a little and he nods to me, stepping out the door, clearly letting me know he'll give me a minute. Rafe pulls the door after him, but doesn't let it completely shut.

Quietly, I cross the room to Jackson, who holds my gaze as I do.

"Hi," I say quietly - the same thing I said last night when I showed up at his door. But this time I say it with...a little less verve.

Jackson just smirks at me, reaching to cup my cheek in his palm.

"I'm really sorry, Jacks," I whisper. "It shouldn't have happened like that."

"Not your fault," he murmurs.

"Still," I say, my voice low. "You're the one who had to deal with it."

"I'd put up with a lot worse for you," he says, his smile growing a little.

I smile back, unable to help it. I step a little closer and look up into his face. "Are we good?"

"We're good," he says, reaching out and tucking my hair back behind my ear in that way he likes. But something in his terseness - I mean, Jackson doesn't usually say a lot anyway, but today...

Well, I can tell he doesn't feel quite right.

I bite my lip, anxious. "Do you...want me to stay?" I ask, kind of hoping that he'll say yes, let me talk him through this, fix it all. I raise myself up on my toes, bringing my face just an inch or two closer to his. "For a little bit?"

"You'll see me later," he says, assured. And then he dips his head, and I stand on my toes again, and my mate kisses me, his arm tightening around my waist.

I pull away after a moment, wanting to give him his space, and Jackson just stands quietly - already in thought-

as I move towards the door. But before I leave, I turn back, my hand already on the handle.

"Hey, Jacks?" I ask quietly.

Instantly, his head turns up towards me, his expression I think a little surprised that I'm still here. "Yeah?"