Chapter 28

Our group sticks together as we head into the barracks for our final night, which pleases me because even though Jesse sticks close to my side clearly wanting a word with me there’s not opportunity for it with everyone around.

The five of us hang out for another hour or so around the Sinclair bunks, which pleases me, because honestly I think I’m starting to get an idea of what it would be like to all be together in the Academy. It feels like it would be really fun, honestly a lot of friendship alongside the incredible amount of work that we’re expected to perform. As I lean back against Rafe’s pillow, smiling around at my family and my friends, I think that…well, it kind of sounds great.

My mind wanders, dreaming a bit about what it will be like inside. Will there be like, gathering spaces for us to hang out like this? Or will our rooms be like little stone cells… I mean, it is an ancient castle retrofitted into a school. Where the hell do they put

at everyone?

Are fresh candidates relegated to the dungeons?

The lights flash once, letting us know that it’s very near time for lights–out, and Rafe curses as he sits up on the other side of the bed. “I need to brush my teeth,” he murmurs and we all agree, getting to our feet and gathering our wash–up supplies for one last trip to the bathroom before sleep.

Apparently, every other candidate in the barrack was likewise distracted, because it’s kind of a mad rush in there. Rafe, standing stoically by my side, finishes brushing his teeth first and glances anxiously at the urinals.

“Just go,” I mumble, waving him off with my mouth still full of toothbrush and toothpaste. “I’ll be ten feet away

“Fine.” he growls, glancing at me. “Stay right here, Ari,” and then he dashes off.

I sigh and continue brushing my teeth, my eyebrows going up when my gaze catches on Alan Wright, of all people, standing in the middle of the room, glaring at me. When our eyes meet, he frowns and draws a finger across his throat, a clear threat.

My face crinkles in distaste as I turn away from him, wondering what the hell his problem is. I mean, he’s still top ten with my brother and cousin –

But then my mind flashes back to the ranking list, and I remember seeing Perry Gibson and Graham Wright listed below me

Shit.

I bend over, spitting my toothpaste out, trying to move past the not–so–veiled threat at Alan Wright is making against me

Honestly, I’m just not used to people not liking me – as a Princess it was kind of my job to be well- liked, and whether or not people faked it they were generally pretty nice to me –

Mar

I sigh as I straighten up, feeling Rafe’s large form coming back to my side.

“Rafe.” I sigh. “I’ve got to tell you about Alan Wright –”

But as I turn, and his pine–and–ember scent hits me, and I tilt my head back to look up up and

up….

I realize that…it is not Rafe standing next to me.

forms

and

My eyes go wide and my mouth forms into a little o as I stare up into the gloomy face of my other

mate.

“Alan Wright’s been messing with you?” Jackson asks, his voice rumbling in his chest.

“Um, are you one to talk?” I hear myself spit out at him, and then I gasp a little, shocked that I would say that say anything to make him mad-

–

I step back, looking anxiously towards the door, when suddenly his hand wraps around my upper

arm.

It happens again, as it always does – the pulse that moves through the air- and my head spins back, staring up at him, wary –

“No.” he says, frowning at me, stepping closer as I pull back, “don’t –”

“Don’t what?” I breathe, my voice starting to shake a little as I tug against his hand. I mean, Alan Wright draws a finger across his neck, but Jackson tried to choke me yesterday –

–

“Don’t be scared –“Jackson says, his words faltering as he looks at me anxiously, almost like he’s fumbling for words.

I hesitate, but then tug again at my arm still in his hand. “Then let go of me,” I say, a little bit between my teeth.

He does, instantly. “Please don’t run,” he murmurs.

And I shock myself by…complying. Instead of bolting, I peer up at him, confused as hell but curious. “What the hell is going on, Jackson?” I hiss. “Yesterday you try to kill me and now you’re asking me not to run?”

“I wasn’t trying to kill you,” he says, frowning down at me like I’m a little stupid. “If I was trying to kill you, Clark, you’d be dead –”

“Great!” I say, my voice heavy with sarcasm as I look up at him with wide eyes. “Well, in an attempt

my bunk-” to avoid your next attempt, I’m going to go hide in

I start to move away but he takes a step forward. “God damn it,” he growls, angry but putting a hand out towards me, almost pleading – “would you just stay still? I’m trying to – to apologize…”

My eyes go even wider if that’s possible – god, they must be like saucers now –

“You’re what?” I breathe, fascinated.

“I’m trying to say I’m sorry!” he says, all in an angry rush. “And I’m not good at this – and you’re not making it easy-

“Oh, my bad for not making it easy, Jackson,” I growl at him, still thinking of the bruises that still blush purple on my neck.

Jackson loses a long, angry breath and shakes his head at me. “I am sorry,” he says through clenched. teeth, pushing forward even though…well, yeah, I am not being exactly receptive to this, am I?

“…I’m not really used to this,” he continues, frustrated, “and I’m not good at talking to people, and… and I was confused about a lot of stuff and I still have questions!”

My expression softens as I look up at Jackson, watching his confused face, the way he looks down at the floor instead of at me, like he’s a little kid stumbling through his first formal apology after getting in trouble.

–

“But,” he continues, flicking his grey–blue eyes back to me now, “I am…sorry. For hurting you and scaring you. I shouldn’t have done that I lost my temper, and I’m…” he sighs deeply, and shrugs helplessly, shaking his head like he doesn’t know what to say. “And I’m not going to do that anymore. Okay? So, you don’t need to be…afraid of me.”

Finished, he hangs his head, looking down at his shoes, clearly ashamed.

My anger drops away from me in a flash and, in its wake, my heart breaks.

Suddenly my mind turns back to all the times I’ve watched him, consciously or unconsciously, and my wolf whines inside me with pity. Because Jackson – he is always alone. He eats every single meal alone, and he doesn’t talk to anyone before lights out. He always just sits in his bed, silent, by himself. noveldrama

And while I always thought that was a choice…

Well, what if it wasn’t? What if Jackson doesn’t have any friends…because he doesn’t know how?

“You’re forgiven,” I say, the words falling from my lips instantly, easily, and his head snaps up, his face the picture of surprise. I nod, reassuring him. “It’s okay. I forgive you. Um, we can just…move

on.”

“Okay,” he says, fighting a smile. “Thanks. Good.” He starts to move away, but I shock myself by reaching out and grabbing his sleeve.

Jackson stops, turning to me with equal surprise.

“Hey, why don’t you eat breakfast with us in the morning?” I say, my words rushed.

“Really?” he asks, his eyebrows going up. He turns his head a little then, hesitant. “I’m not sure that your… friends are going to be happy with that.”

12:40 Sun, Tu Mar

“Leave them to me,” I sigh, dropping his sleeve and crossing my arms with a shrug. “Just…come. If you feel like it. It’s not a big deal.”

He stands for a moment, staring at me, and then he nods once and turns, walking slowly out of the bathroom.

I turn then, looking for my brother, and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see him busy, distracted by a group of candidates who are talking to him over by the urinals. Because…well, Jackson’s right Rafe is not going to be happy about my impulsive invitation if Jackson shows up tomorrow. And I did break my promise to Rafe not to talk to him again.

But…well, he is my mate.

And he’s really hot, my wolf whispers unhelpfully, brushing up warmly against my heart and wiggling with excitement. He’s hot in like…a mean way – but did you see how cute he was when he apologized!? Go after him- maybe he’ll do it again –

I groan audibly, closing my eyes against her impractical – but admittedly tempting – impulses. But suddenly I’m broken out of my reverie by my brother’s voice at my side.

“You good?” he asks, his warm hand coming to rest heavy on my shoulder..

“Yup,” I say, my eyes flashing open as I grin up at him.

“Good,” he says, slinging his arm around my shoulder and leading me out of the bathroom and towards our bunks. “Because we all need a good night’s sleep. You’ve got to bust your ass

tomorrow.”

“Aye aye, Captain,” I sigh, walking with him and then climbing into my bunk just as the lights flick off, truly intent on getting a full night’s sleep.

But Jesse?

Jesse has other ideas.