The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"Nah, man, I'm just trying to make you laugh," Jesse says softly, stepping closer and clasping a hand to Jackson's shoulder. "It looks like you're...figuring things out. I just want to be here for you. I know you're going through it."

"Thank you," Jackson whispers, his voice breaking a little.

Jesse just nods and stands silent with his friend.

"How do you think you're going to handle it?" Jesse asks quietly a few minutes later. "When she comes back tomorrow?"

Their mother had texted a few hours back to let them know Ariel's plans. It had been the thing that sent Jackson into a panic, made him shift and go for his run. Rafe had offered to come too, but Jesse told him to stay back with the phone just in case they got any further updates.

"I don't know," Jacks replies, his voice grave. "I mean, I love her. I just...had a very bodily reaction last time I saw her. I just honestly don't know how I'm going to respond - I think it's out of my control."

"Well, you'd better be nice to her," Jesse snaps, a little defensive, turning to glare at his friend.

"Obviously, Jesse," Jackson growls, meeting his friend's eyes. "I'm going to do everything in my power to be nice to her. I'm just being honest. I have no idea what it's going to be like until I see her." "Are you jealous?"

"Of course I'm jealous!" Jackson bites out, tossing his hands to the side. "Do you have any idea what it's like to see your mate with another man's mark on her neck?"noveldrama

Jesse's heart sinks to the pit of his stomach at the thought of Daphne... Daphne marked.

"I think I'd die," he says, quite honest, meeting Jackson's eyes. "I don't know how you're alive right now. I'm not exaggerating.

"I'm not sure it's out of the realm of possibility," Jackson murmurs, turning away to again look up at the moon. "I've been...trying to pray for strength. It's not easy. Also, I'm not sure I'm good at prayers."

"Eh, the Goddess is a family friend," Jesse says with a shrug. "I think she's less concerned about form as opposed to content."

They're quite for another long few moments.

"Ariel's going to be really sad," Jesse whispers. "Are you going to be able to handle that? Watching her cry over Luca, because he's gone?"

Jackson remains tense and silent.

"I don't think I could do it," Jesse says quietly, shaking his head. "Holding my mate while she cried over another man? I don't know if I'm strong enough to be that guy."

"I don't know if I am either,” Jackson murmurs, crossing his arms over his chest. "And I don't know if that's what she wants. Have you considered that? As a possibility?"

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Jesse turns to him, confused.

"That she wanted it?" Jackson continues, such devastation in his blue eyes as he turns his head to Jesse. "That she...she picked him after he saved her? And was going to reject me? And then they had some kind of fight, and it turned?"

-

He shakes his head, hating it - all of it.

"That can't be what happened, man," Jesse says, tightening his hand on Jackson's shoulder. "She loves you. She loves you so much."

Jackson grits his teeth, his head bowing, turning towards Jesse.

And Jesse responds to the silent

request in that, action, wrapping his arms around his friend and holding him close. "You guys are going to e figure it out, man," Jesse whispers, rubbing a hand up and down.

Jackson's back. "Just - if you don't know where to start, let her take the lead. You'll find the way. We'll help."

Jackson sniffs hard but nods and doesn't pull away from the hug for a long time.

"Come on, man," Jesse says. "Let's get to you to bed. Morning comes faster if you're asleep."

For the first time, Jackson consents to be lead inside before dawn.