The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 588

Jackson just stares at me, shocked and unblinking – and for a split second I realize how rare it actually is for people to look him in the eye and defy him.

But his surprise is not long lived, replaced immediately by anger.

“Ariel, you will fall in line –“

“No way!” I throw back, baring my teeth at him. “Jackson, you’re being overprotective! I’ve got a big gun, I’m up here all alone, I’ve got radio to contact you and binoculars so I’ll know miles away if anyone is coming –“

“I am not leaving you alone in a battle trail again, Ariel,” Jackson snarls, leaning even closer and wrapping his hand around my arm. “Never again.”

My mouth goes a bit dry as I stare at Jackson, realizing what all of this is about.

“Jacks,” I whisper, reaching up and pressing his cheeks between my hands, staring into his gorgeous blue eyes. “That’s – that’s not going to happen again –“

“The psychopath that hurt you the first time is out there right now coming for us with weapons!”

“Paintball guns! Dulled knives!”

“And if you think he can’t rip you apart with just his bare hands, Ariel,” Jackson’s hand tightens on my arm as he stares at me, quite panicked, “then you don’t realize how…how delicate you actually are!”

“I am not delicate,” I snap, offended, dropping my hands from his face and glaring up at him again. “I’ve been working really hard –“

“I know,” he interrupts, his mouth a tight line. “I know, Ariel – I’m…I’m…” he exhales a long, slow breath, closing his eyes and working hard to find his words. “Wright is nearly as good as Rafe and me – he has been since we were Candidates. And I know you have come so far in your training – but it is still so dangerous for you to go up against him.”

“He’s not here,” I say, climbing to my knees and moving closer to Jackson, wrapping my hands in his shirt and tugging him closer, making him open his eyes and look into mine. “Jacks, I get that you want to protect me but it’s important that we win this, yes?”

He exhales slowly, frustrated, I think not even wanting to give me a platform to object. But then he nods once, terse.