The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 219

Jackson’s eyes go wide for a second with worry as my dad focuses singularly on him and takes one single, dangerous step in his direction.

“Dominic!” my mother snaps, and then she’s moving quickly between my dad and my mate, turning and holding a hand up in front of my father’s face. “Think about what you’re doing right now, let alone the impression you’re making!”

The growl dies in my father’s throat as he blinks, hard and refocuses on my mom. “The…the impression? Ella, this man’s scent is all over our child, he’s claiming her as his mate, and you want me to worry about first impressions!?”

“Dominic,” mom murmurs, stepping closer and shocking me by laughing a little bit. Slowly she stands on her tiptoes and takes his face in her hands. “Don’t you get it? He didn’t claim her as his mate – the Goddess fated them. And if I know my daughter as well as I think I do, then I’d be willing to bet a lot of money that Ariel had more to do with this than poor Jackson did.”

Dad stares at mom for a long moment before turning to look at me.

I just shrug, feeling awkward and…well, old. Because my entire life I’ve been dad’s little girl, and now here I am…introducing him to my mate.

Suddenly overwhelmed, my eyes fill with tears. “Yeah,” I say, shrugging again, not knowing what to do. “I’ve…I’ve known since the first day as a candidate, dad. I told Jackson…yesterday.”

My lip trembles as my dad stares at me, shocked, and I can’t help the tears that start to slip down my cheeks. I also don’t miss the three steps forward that Jackson takes towards me before Rafe grabs his arm, hauling him back.

“Be nice to him, dad,” I squeak out. “He’s…he’s really nice, okay?”

Dad stares at me for a long, long moment before he lets out a long, long groan, covering his face with his hands and tilting his head back towards the ceiling. Aunt Cora scooches closer to me, giving me a quick hug and then wiping the tears from my cheeks, whispering that it’s all right.