Chapter 742

Jackson empties his stomach onto the corridor floor, one hand flat against the wall as he presses his eyes shut, his whole body trembling. Because it can't be -

What he saw can't be true -

But then why is he reacting like this? He gasps in a breath, turning back towards the figure in the Prince's arms. He sees it again, though - his eyes moving instantly to the mark high on her neck, still dripping blood - and her strange shifting scent - it hits him like a damn truck.

Jackson gags again, turning away, working hard to keep from retching.

"Clear this hall!" Rafe roars at the handful of cadets standing in the hall and peeking around the edges of their doors, staring fascinated at the tiny figure in his arms. Ben, standing with him, likewise snarls at the crowd. "All of you - either get in your room or go find Jesse Sinclair! Fucking now!"

Jackson's shoulders shake as he pushes himself up from the wall and he takes a deep breath. He turns towards Rafe but he can't - he just can't fucking look at her. Not like that - not marked. By him.

Ariel she's his mate. His girl. His fucking...everything.

Claimed by Luca Grant.

"Jackson," Rafe snaps, stepping closer as the hallway clears of frightened cadets who either slip back into their rooms or go running. "We have to get her -"

But Jackson just groans and steps away, shaking his head – holding his hand out flat towards Rafe – his shaking shoulders begging the Prince not to come closer.noveldrama

"Jacks," Ben gasps, his eyes going wide. "You can't -"

"I - I need a minute," Jackson murmurs, devastated, ashamed of himself, his eyes falling to the ground. Because he knows what he has to do what he should do - that he should take Ariel in his arms and hold her close and ensure that she's all right. But his wolf is howling within him, so full of grief, in real pain at what they now know.

At what they've lost.

He can't - he can't hear anything - can't concentrate -

If he takes her, he'll drop her. Or just collapse to the ground with her in his arms, sobbing.

"Jackson!" Rafe snaps, appalled and ashamed. "Get your shit together! She needs -"

"Please," Jackson begs, taking another step away and putting both hands up now. "I'm - 1 -"

He moans, ducking his face into his hands, trying so hard to get his thoughts together, to pull himself together for her.

She needs him.

But his wolf is trembling in his grief, agonized by it. He lowers his snout to the ground and pants, hard, his eyes squeezed shut.

"Jacks," Ben whispers, stepping closer, reaching out a sympathetic hand.

"God, fucking mates," Rafe snarls, turning and storming away with Jackson's girl in his arms. "I curse the Goddess for making fucking mates. I'm taking her upstairs!"

Jackson moans at this too, taking a

—

step towards them, not wanting her gone but then what? What does he want, for everyone to just stay in this hallway until he pulls himself together? He grits his teeth and pulls his face from his hands, disgusted with himself, working so hard to be strong and just failing - failing when she needs him -

But feeling so, so broken. So pathetic.

"Ben!" Rafe snaps over his shoulder, striding fast away. "Get Jesse! Jackson, come when you figure your shit out!"

Ben hesitates, looking after Rafe, wanting to obey - but he turns back to Jackson first.

"Are you okay, man?" Ben whispers, still holding his hand out but not daring to touch the devastated Alpha before him. Because he knows that in this volatile state Jackson, too, is dangerous.

“No,” Jackson growls, working hard to take deep breaths in through his nose. “No, I'm not all right, I'm –“

But then Jackson's head snaps to the side, and his lips peel back, his fangs flashing.

"Jacks?” Ben whispers, yanking his hand back.

Jackson just snarls, lifting his nose in the air, sniffing again.

And yes, there it is - the scent of that fucking traitor, who marked her and then hurt her and then ran. Ran - he doesn't know why - Jackson doesn't understand any of what happened. But one thing he does know for sure.

"Jacks!" Ben gasps, realizing at last what's happening and grabbing for Jackson's arm, even if he risks his own safety by doing it.

Jackson wrenches his arm from Ben's hand and turns away. "I'm going to kill him," Jackson snarls to himself as much as to his friend. And then he shifts into his wolf and pounds down the hall, chasing Luca's scent.

"Fucking mat?s," Rafe grumbles as he storms up the final set of stairs toward their room. "I fucking hate mates. Want some magic? No, you need a mate! Want a nice calm educational experience while you're at school? No! Here's your fucking

ridiculous sister, and her two insane mates!"