Ch. 336..340: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 336-340
Chapter 0336
Dad's frown deepens, so I double down.
"Mom said I look pretty," I say, quickly shifting my hand so I point at her now. Mom gasps a little in protest at my betrayal, but dad ignores it all.
"You do look pretty, Ariel," he says, his words even and slow. I drop my hand with a grin, realizing that I'm not actually in trouble and he's not going to send me home to get changed. "I just hope you've thought quite deeply about this wardrobe choice. It is... bold. And it makes a big statement about how you are not a little girl anymore. Are you ready for that?"
I straighten my shoulders, raising my chin a bit. "I can handle it."
Dad holds my gaze for a second and then nods, the matter ended. I grin, pleased in his faith in me. Dad drops his head for a second, loosing a breath and taking a sip of his whiskey, and my heart goes out to him in this moment. Because he's had to handle a great deal of me growing up in a very short amount of time, hasn't he?
And he's been so good about it.
Impulsive, I take a few steps forward and wiggle myself in between my parents, slipping an arm around my dad's waist and leaning into him. My mom smiles, and moves a step aside, letting me wedge myself between them as dad wraps an arm around me, accepting my gesture of warm thanks for being such a good dad.
He gives me a little smile, and then kisses me quickly on the forehead before looking around at the four of us. He glances over at Markie and Juniper, who are chatting with grandpa, I think wondering for a second if he should include them. But then he decides against it.
"The Atalaxians will be coming in soon," dad says, dropping his voice low so as not to be overheard. I perk up a little, interested in this change of conversation. "It's a peace delegation but... Roger and I are very curious about why they're choosing to send one at this point in the war."
"Why this point?" mom asks, her voice likewise low. "What's special about it?"
"What's special is that they're winning," dad says, his voice full of dread as he confesses something which is certainly not public knowledge. My eyes move to Rafe, and by the way he stands up a little straighter, his mouth tightening, I can see that this is news to him as well.
Dad nods, looking steadily around at all of us before he continues. "It doesn't make sense that they'd send a peace delegation when they've got the upper hand. So," he glances now to the set of stadium seating which is still clearly empty, which has been set aside for them. "I'd appreciate it if you kept your eyes on them tonight. I know we'll be distracted - and especially you, Ariel," he nods to me in particular here, "but...we're not just here for fun tonight. We have a duty to our nation. Please keep your eyes peeled and be ready to report anything of note. Yes?"
As one, the three of us nod, agreeing to be vigilant.
And then dad stands a little straighter, lifting his glass towards us in a clear end to the conversation. "Go have fun," he says softly, his voice rumbling a little. Mom, of course, stays close to his side, turning worried eyes up to him, but Rafe and I take the dismissal seriously, turning away.
Rafe glances down at me for a moment, but when I look steadily up at him - letting him know I'm all right with it - he just nods and we move back to where Daphne now stands alone.
"Hey," she says, grinning at us as we come over. Rafe moves to her side and my mouth falls open a little bit when he slides an arm around her waist. She looks between us, either not noticing my shock or pretending not to. "Am I going to be banished? Has the decree landed?"
"For the dress?" Rafe asks, raising his eyebrows and smirking at her. "No, actually, mom wants three just like it in a variety of colors. Can you do pastels, for spring?"
Daphne laughs, grinning up into his face, and I still just stare between them realizing that that they're on a date. That it's not just that Daphne came as part of our party - that she's here tonight with Rafe.
Oh my god, my brother is actually dating my friend!
Chapter 0337
An eager smile bursts onto my lips as I finally realize the truth of it, because I'm suddenly so happy for Daphne. Didn't she say that she had a celebrity crush on Rafe, that she had for awhile?
Good for her! Daphne! Lonely Academy seamstress, crushing on the Crown Prince from afar, and now here she is! Living the dream!
Daphne glances over at me and does a double take when she sees my expression. And then she laughs, and blushes a little, realizing what I've figured out. Rafe follows the direction of her gaze and frowns at me a little, not getting it.
"You guys need drinks!?" I say eagerly, looking between them and stepping away. "I'll get you drinks! I'll go away - and get drinks - and leave you here - alone." I turn quickly, heading for the bar.
"Ariel!" Rafe calls after me, confused. "We...don't need drinks! We have drinks!"
"Rafe," Daphen says, laughing a little, "she knows we have drinks."
I scurry away regardless, happy for my friend, happy for my brother - who could do far worse than Daphne - towards where Jesse and Ben are standing at the bar, both of them looking moody.
"What?" I ask, my face falling a little as I look between them. "What's wrong? What's bad?"
"Nothing's bad, Ariel," Jesse says, tucking his mood away and turning to the bartender to order me another white wine. I look down at my empty hands, wondering where the last one went - I don't remember putting it down - but then I shrug and just accept the new one. "We're just "
Jesse doesn't finish his words, though, because suddenly the stadium falls silent. The three of us turn, looking for the cause, but we can't see it. Suddenly the sound of steady, marching footsteps fills the whole arena. My face screws up in confusion because... what the hell could that be?
"Come on," Jesse murmurs, striding now for the edge of the Box, where Rafe and Daphne still stand. Ben and I glance at each other, but then eagerly follow.
When we get to the edge, my eyes go wide when I see the cause of both the silence and the strange marching noise.
A group of people begin to fill the empty set of stands in front of them, those set aside for the visiting delegation. They walk in military precision down the steps towards the seats, filling them one-by-one in orderly lines without hesitation. As they do, I realize that they must have planned this - planned every inch of it. Discovered how many seats were in the stadium, decided who would sit where, then given specific orders about how to enter the stadium so as to have this very precise effect.
And I have to admit, their efforts pay off. While the citizens of Moon Valley entered the stadium in a cheerful mess, everyone taking their seats haphazardly with an excited buzz going around, the Atalaxian delegation here has clearly shown that they are... much more orderly, precise, and serious than we are.
I gulp a little, watching them, talking in their dark uniforms, their slick-backed hair. And as I do, I realize that every single person in that delegation is a man, is an Alpha, and is incredibly dangerous.
But while this display is clearly meant to intimidate, I find that it...kindles something in me. I raise my chin as I step forward to stand with my brother, lifting a hand to rest lightly on the low wall of our box. Because while these men might have a great deal of power and control, I'm aware that it was bought at the expense of the women in their world, and the poor, and the disenfranchised. Each of which these Alphas bend to their own will, reaping the benefits alongside the control.
Everything they stand for goes against everything I hold to be true, and real, and important in this world. Our nation is fighting for the right of everyone to pursue their happiness, however they define that. These people? They believe that the rights and happiness of many can and should be sacrificed to benefit the men of the ruling class.
Chapter 0338
And as my brother stands next to me and my cousin comes to my other side, I refuse to let myself be intimidated by these horrible
men.
Not by their cruelty. Not by their brute control.
No, I won't be cowed by it.
And by the low growls that I can almost feel rumbling in Rafe and Jesse's chests, I know that they feel precisely the same.
As the last of the Atalaxians file in, the stadium is quiet for a long moment. And then, slowly, our people begin to talk again, to make noise, to shake off the control that these men just demanded with their display. After a moment my shoulders loosen, and Jesse and Rafe begin to move too, and Daphne and Ben step closer so that we form a little circle.
"I've never seen an Atalaxian before," Daphne says, her voice low. "I didn't realize they'd be so...disciplined."
Ben just looks down at his feet, perfectly silent, and I frown at him for a second, wondering if he's all right. I'm distracted, though, when Rafe begins to speak.
"They're disciplined in everything they do," Rafe says, with a little bit of a sigh. "It's kind of their whole vibe - it's the only thing that they do."
"My mom told me that your mom has a connection over there," Jesse says, his voice serious for once as he looks at Rafe and nods towards the Atalaxians. "An old friend. Do you know if he's here? It could be beneficial."
Rafe sighs and glances over at the Atalaxian delegation. "Unfortunately, no. He's become someone of a persona-non-grata over there. After he and mom developed their friendship, he started advocating hard for peace. It made him very unpopular with his family, the royals, but...he made some inroads, I think."
I frown a little, because I didn't know mom had a friend in Atalaxia. I make a mental note to ask her about it, but before I can do anything a huge cheer begins to echo in the stadium. And then suddenly the lights drop, and a huge boom of bass music echoes throughout the stadium - so deep and low that I can feel it throughout my whole body.
"Holy crap!" Jesse whispers, his face bursting into an eager grin despite the serious talk from a moment before. "It's starting!" The music changes now, raising into something rhythmic, pulsing, and intense. Lights start to flash with the music - red and purple, then blue and gold with white lights flashing all around. I gasp, because Jesse is right, and we all immediately break our little circle and press against the edge of the box, staring down at the ring. Jesse and Rafe stand steady on either side of me, Ariel to Rafe's right. Ben, I think, is standing on her far side - but I've lost track of him a bit.
Because it's time for the fight now.
And for better or worse, Luca's going to come out soon, and face this Atalaxian champion - whoever the hell that is.
I glance up at the Atalaxian delegation which stands stoically, not clapping or cheering at all like the residents of Moon Valley. And as I run my eyes over them...
I realize, truly now, that much more rests on Luca's shoulders than I think I knew before.
Because the Atalaxians...they've got something up their sleeve here, don't they?
They're here for more than peace, more than a match.
And somehow, it all starts with this.
With my mate, Luca Grant against...whatever it is they're bringing out to face him.
Chapter 0339
My stomach twists uncomfortably and I put my glass of wine down on the wall in front of us, not sure if I can have any more, not sure that I'll be able to keep it down. I'm suddenly so worried about Luca.
Not that I think he can't handle himself - I just have...no idea what the Atalaxians are going to throw at him right now.
"Calm, calm," Rafe murmurs to me, putting a steady hand at the center of my back. "Nothing good or bad is going to happen just because you're freaking out."
And I laugh a little, snapped out of it by my steady brother, and heave a big sigh.
-
"Do you want some tequila?" he asks, his voice still low as he quirks an eyebrow at me. "You might want some, Ari – you are wound up -"
I grin, glancing over my shoulder again, thinking that that's not half a bad idea, but suddenly my eyes light on something that surprises me.
Ben, sitting in one of the plush black chairs set out for spectators who don't want to stand at the edge of the box, his head in his hands. Instantly I move to him, leaving my glass of wine behind. Rafe turns back to the boxing ring as the announcer comes out, beginning to speak and greet the enthusiastic crowd.
But I ignore it all, moving to Ben's side and bending down to place on hand on his shoulder, another on his curved back. "Benny," I whisper, worried. "Are you - are you okay?"
He shudders a little, and then looks up at me, his face sweaty and his eyes a little unfocused. He doesn't say anything.
"Ben!" I gasp, bending down closer, studying him. He looks - god, honestly, he looks like he saw a ghost. "What's wrong?"
Ben shakes himself suddenly - physically shakes himself, like a dog covered in rain. And then he blinks hard and focuses his eyes on my face. "What?"
"Ben, you're white as a sheet, and all sweaty! What's wrong!?"
"Nothing," he murmurs, shaking his head and looking around, I think embarrassed. "I...must have eaten something."
"You ate what we did!" I protest, and then I straighten a little, assessing the way I feel. Do we all have food poisoning? But...no, I feel completely fine - all of the twists in my stomach are Luca-related. And Ben, now - what could be wrong with him?
Ben focuses his eyes on me again, frowning a little. Not mad at me but....I think not wanting to have this conversation? I don't know. "Too much to drink then," he says, shrugging, dismissive, again shaking his head like he's trying to clear it.
I clench my teeth a little, not wanting to call him a liar, but... I mean, he was perfectly sober a few moments ago. Maybe a little tipsy? But certainly not enough to be drunk. I stare closely at his eyes, checking his pupils. Was he poisoned? There are very specific signs you can look for -
"Ari," Ben says, forcing himself to laugh a little and putting his hands on my shoulders now, pushing me away, just slightly. "I'm fine - I promise, I'm fine. Okay? I just...a little dizzy spell. I'm fine now."
"Benny," I murmur, still worried.
He stares hard at my face, all façade falling, and says two simple words. "Please, Ari."
And I stand up straight, realizing that... that Ben knows what's wrong. He just doesn't want anyone else to, not now. Not yet. And I am totally blowing his cover.
"Okay," I say, nodding, taking a step back, watching him a little anxiously. I tuck my hands behind my back, glancing around, but everyone else is by the edge of the box, clearly paying attention to the announcer.
"You're missing it, Ari," Ben says, gesturing me back towards the wall, his voice guilty.
"Are you sure you're okay?" I whisper.
"I am," he says, pushing himself to his feet. And as he does I see that...well, that his color is coming back. And he does seem... better. "Just...um. Where's the bathroom? I'll freshen up."
"You'd better just be freshening up, Ben," I growl, stepping close to glare at him. "Do not pull a Jackson right now and run away or something."
He laughs, smiling at me. "I promise, Ari," he says, putting his hands on my shoulders. "A little water on my face, and some ice from the bartender. I'll be fine. You know I wouldn't miss this." He lifts his chin towards the edge of the box, to where the announcer is revving up the crowd.
"Okay," I murmur, and then I point to where the bathroom is at the back of the suite.
"LUCAAAAA GRANT!!!!!" The announcer's words echo through the entire stadium, which bursts into a desperate cheer and I gasp, staring towards the edge of the Royal Box, where I promised I'd be.
"Go, Ari!" Ben says, pushing me forward.
I spare him one last glance and then streak towards the wall, pushing my way through my family, settling again between Jesse and Rafe, right in the center of the box.
Chapter 0340
And right in time to see Luca come out of the dark tunnel on the eastern side of the stadium, the lights flashing all around him as a confetti cannon filled with silver and gold rectangles explodes above him, filling the air with fluttering flares of light.
I shout and cheer along with everyone else as Luca raises his gloved fists to the crowd, moving forward in his black robe, which he wears with the hood up over his head. The fabric flows down his body, open at the front, and then streams behind him as he strides steadily forward. And even though a small part of my mind is still worried about Ben, still wanting to check to make sure he's really okay-
I have to admit, most of me is swept away by the sight of my mate moving powerfully towards the ring, shouting out at the crowds, pounding his glove against his chest one moment, then turning in circles and pumping his fists up into the air. The stadium full of people screams his name, riled to a fever pitch.
I can't help it - I shout my support as I clap and grin down at my mate-
My mate!
Mine!
Luca Grant, my mate, so handsome, so powerful, so charismatic. He just looks so confident and good striding down the line of people towards the ring that suddenly all of my worries disappear.
Because who - who on earth could take on that man?
My man.
Jesse nudges me with his elbow, and I flash my eyes away from Luca for a second to see my cousin grinning at me, clearly picking up on my proud energy. And I laugh a little, leaning far over the edge of the box, shouting Luca's name and continuing to cheer for him with all of my heart.
We're all cheering - everyone in the box - everyone in the stadium except the Atalaxians - as Luca stops at the end of the corridor that leads to the boxing ring, stops to duck down and give a woman standing there at the edge a quick kiss on the cheek. When we all realize that it's his mother, the crowd roars louder, loving his support of her. He likewise takes a moment to wrap his Gran in a big hug before moving to his corner of the ring, where his uncle and the rest of his coaching team are waiting with crossed arms.
Bruce Grant pats Luca warmly on the back, his face serious, as Luca climbs up the side of the ring. And then when Luca ducks beneath the ropes, and steps in, and begins to dodge around on the canvas, punching out some practice blows and showing off his footwork, the entire crowd screams louder. I see Luca laugh, loving it, and then he stops his faux boxing to pause in the center of the ring, cupping this boing glove at his at his car and gesturing for everyone to make a great deal of noise.
The crowd complies, to say the least, and the stadium roars with love for our champion - a sound so loud and echoing I have to think that they can hear it in the city all around us. I laugh to hear it, absolutely loving the idea of the entire nation all cheering for my mate.
My heart soars with joy and pride as I clap and cheer, unable to tear my eyes from him. My cheeks ache with smiling so much when I see Luca laugh - laugh, and drop his hands, and simple turn in a circle, soaking in all the love and the support of his people. Because Luca's a showboat, but he loves this the most - loves the fight, and the crowd, and the pride that comes along with it.
Slowly, as he turns, I see his expression change because he's searching now. He narrows his eyes, his smile falling just a bit as he concentrates, scanning the crowd for something. He goes still when his gaze lands on our box.
When his eyes land on me.
And then he bursts into a wide, dimpled grin that carries with it all the love he has for me. I feel it pulse down our bond like a physical blow, hitting me so hard all at once that I stumble back a step, and then I'm laughing, and leaning forward, shaking my head at him a little, sending everything I have down the bond to him -
All of my love, and my support, and my joy, and my pride, and my pleasure. And just a little bit of a hint at how good I think he looks in his little boxing shorts under all that light.
This all passes between us in a blink, and no one is aware of it but us, but when Luca's grin deepens and he raises a single gloved fist and points it directly at me?
The crowd sees it now, and absolutely explodes.