The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"You're going to love it -" I say, grinning at Marigold, who sits up, as intrigued as her dad. "It's called Mystery Hunk saves -"

"Give me that " Jackson snarls, snatching for it. But I burst out laughing, pressing it closer to Marigold instead.

"It's her present, Jacks, you can't take away her present -"

"Dad!" Marigold bursts out, desperately pleased, pointing at the image of her father on the front of the magazine.

"Oh my god, Marigold," Jackson groans, leaning far over and reaching for it. But when his fingers curl around it Marigold gasps, clutching it to her.

"My mystery hunk!" Marigold protests, her eyes going big and round with worry. "Yeah, Jacks!” I say, cackling a bit with glee, grinning at my mate. "It's her book!"

Jackson sighs and releases the magazine, letting her have it. "I'm taking that back the moment you learn how to read, Marigold."

She brushes that point aside, smiling down at the magazine. "Mystery hunk." "Yes, that's daddy!" I say, laughing, a little delighted. "What a great story!"

"You'll pay for this," Jackson sighs, turning his eyes to me.

My grin widens as I crawl closer to him, snuggling up and letting him pull me into his lap. "I'd better," I murmur, passing him a sultry little pulse down the bond. He laughs at that, low and deep, pulling me close to his chest.

"You good?" he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my cheek just below my ear.

"I'm amazing," I whisper, turning my face and pressing a kiss to his mouth in turn

- much more chaste than I'd like it to be, for Marigold's sake.

I end the kiss quickly, turning my eyes back to the little girl as she flips through the pages of the magazine, fascinated, squeaking happily when she finds more pictures of her dad somewhere in the middle.

"I'll tell you everything," I say softly, glancing up at my mate. "But... let's put her to bed first, okay?"

"Sounds good to me," Jackson says, giving me a squeeze. Then together we lean forward to Goldie, telling her the story of the Mystery Hunk that we make up as we go, doing our best to make it make sense

pretty astoundingly. But Me

alongside the pictures and failing

doesn't care, laughing softly at us before her eyes slip shut and her cheek rests softly against the pillow, falling quickly asleep, her little hand flat on the open pages of the tabloid.

"She's so perfect," I whisper, leaning forward to brush a soft finger across the swell of her lovely little cheek.

"Yeah, she really is," Jackson sighs. I turn to smile at him, loving how much he loves her already, how easily he's fallen into his new role. "She's a miracle."

"So are you, Jackson," I whisper, sitting up, reaching for him.

Jackson gives a quiet little snarl, bundling me up in his arms and standing as he grabs the baby monitor, accomplishing it all in one sweeping move. "Come on, Tiny," he says, nudging his nose against mine. "Food first, then you tell me everything that jackass said to you in the courtyard, then I'm taking you to bed too."

I bite my lip, swinging my legs a little in anticipation, my stomach fluttering with happiness as my mate carries me from the room.

Jackson carries me through the

living room and we give a little wave

to the boys who are gathered there, but I murmar him to keep going, wanting privacy tonight. Following my directions, Jackson carries me to one of the dining rooms very close to the family apartments. This dining room is my favorite because it's so tiny and cozy - really only suitable for two or three people. Mom and dad use it for their date nights, or for one-on-one meals with each of us kids.

I use an intercom to call a request for some simple food down to the kitchens and then settle in close to

my mate, filling him in on bee

that happened in the courtyard.

Jackson listens quietly but intently, nodding along, only snarling softly to vent his anger about Luca's

behavior. But as I tell him everything that happened over the next twenty

or so minutes until the food isnoveldrama

delivered, keeping absolutely nothing back.

And as we begin to eat the simple but full charcuterie board, I can't keep my smile from growing. Because even though I can feel that Jackson is unhappy about Luca's audacity in coming here, trying to start things with me again, he never, not once, directs a single ounce of anger, or distrust, or hesitation towards me.

Instead, my sweetheart mate only listens and trusts, knowing with his whole self that I'd never betray him. Not even for a moment does Jackson begrudging me my right to speak alone to anyone on earth - even Luca or Gabriel - because Jackson trusts in me, believes in us.

And if anything, my love for him only grows richer and deeper in this moment. My Jackson - he's all warmth and support. I steel my heart again in my determination to do everything I can in this world to deserve him.

"Luca Grant," Jackson murmurs, reaching across the table for a slice of apple and cheese as he shakes his head with a bit of bafflement. "He should bottle and sell his confidence. He'd make a fortune."