The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 1014

Ariel bursts out laughing and gestures out to the rest of the roof. “Of all the interference to our plans, you’re going to point out this tiny, adorable, sleeping infant pup as the problem!?”

Both boys look down at the little dark-haired baby, whose amber eyes flicker open to betray her mother’s words.

“Come on, kid!” Ariel hisses, smoothing a hand over the baby’s soft little head. “You’re blowing my cover!”

Rafe gasps, pointing towards the door. “And you brought your mate!? Ariel. Betrayal!”

Ariel spins towards the door to where Jackson appears, the second little baby strapped to his chest, this one fully asleep, just a little patch of rose-gold hair peeking out of her sling. “Jackson! What are you doing here!? I told you expressly to stay away!”

He stops at the top of the stairs and narrows his eyes at her. “You told me…to come up here and be sneaky so you didn’t have to be away from the baby.”

Jesse gasps and gives Ariel’s shoulder a shove. “Subterfuge!”

“Jacks!” Ariel sighs, laughing as she smacks a hand to her forehead. “You and your daughter are determined to betray me.”

“I’m very sorry, my love,” Jackson says, laughing a little and sketching out a bow. “Clearly, I have failed you.”

“Oh, I forgive you,” Ariel sighs, unable to help the smile that spreads over her lips. Jackson smiles at his girl and then waves to all of them and wanders over to Daphne and Midnight. Ariel watches him go, her eyes moving steadily over his tall form, biting her lip.

“Look at you, all moon-eyed over your mate and baby-daddy,” Rafe says, grinning at his sister.

“Don’t be jealous,” Ariel says, snatching her glass of champagne off the counter and raising it in the air.

Rafe smirks at his sister but doesn’t protest. Because it’s true, honestly – he does want what she has with Jackson, someday. But with Maryam, who still resents him a great deal, even if she perhaps doesn’t hate him anymore? And her being a human, meaning children are impossible?

God, how will it ever work?

Rafe puts the thought from his mind, raising his glass in turn. Jesse joins in, clinking them all together.