The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 204

“I’ll keep you going,” Jackson says, nodding sharply to me. “I’ll give you my magic, Ari – as much of it as you can hold. I think – I think with the connection between our magic, it will help speed your own magic, the healing included. And hopefully it will be enough to…”

He hesitates, not wanting to say it.

But I know precisely what he means. Enough to keep me alive.

And then, again to my shock, Jackson stands, pulling me up with him in his arms. I moan again, almost a scream, as he does. But he continues, staring down at me as I pant through the pain, eventually opening my eyes to look up into him. “I’m getting you out, okay?” he whispers, his whole heart in his eyes.

And I can feel everything down the bond – all his worry, all his grief that he just found me, that he could lose me so soon. But, above all, his sheer determination to make me live – even if it means killing himself in the process.

“Yeah,” I reply, pathetically simple, nodding to him, letting him feel my faith.

Because, despite the odds, I believe him.

Jackson nods once, sharply, and then turns in the forest, striding off through the trees. He doesn’t bother, anymore, to be quiet, instead stomping and moving swiftly, letting everyone hear him come.

And even as my mind passes from state to state, concentrating on the pain and then concentrating on the world, I see that this, actually, was precisely his plan.

By the time we get to the bridge, every single one of the cadets who was waiting there has turned to us, their eyes wide. I look around at all of them through half-lidded eyes, my arms curled around Jackson’s neck – when did I do that? – as he holds me high against his chest.

By their shock and their awe, I can tell that the two of us make rather an impressive sight – or, at least, a terrible one.

The gigantic Alpha, the strongest Cadet in the Academy, especially enraged like this, covered in blood, his tiny charge curled in his arms.

“We’re crossing this bridge,” Jackson growls, his voice loud enough that he’s shouting even though his words hum with anger. As I glance up I can see Jackson’s canines sharpening to points, can feel his fingers lengthening to claws as he looks around at every single man standing there. “Does anyone want to stop me!?”

Jackson roars his final words, glaring around at every single cadet, a challenge in every line of him.

And, wisely, every single one of the cadets slowly backs away from the bridge. Because though in any normal moment an Alpha carried a wounded wolf would be a tempting target…