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 —
Chapter 25
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 —
12:40 Sun, 10 Mar
Chapter 28
“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. “Il am sorry,” he
says through clenched. teeth, pushing forward even though…well, yeah, I am not
being exactly receptive to this, am 1?
“…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, “l 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.
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?
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I , . »
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
: am :
him. “It’s okay. I forgive you. Um, we
can just..move The content is on
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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
Chapter 28
“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.
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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,
, 3 5 ;
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. The content is on
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But…well, he is my mate.
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: &
And he’s really hot, my wolf whispers
unhelpfully, brushing up warmly
against my heart and wiggling with
: , Ne
excitement. He’s hot in like…a mean
way — but did you see how cute he
was when he apologized!? Go after
p ) : ;
him- maybe he’ll do it again — The
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the latest chapter there!
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.