Ch. 431..435: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 431-435

Chapter 0431

"Yes, just what everyone wants when they're searching for the perfect home," dad murmurs, sending her a smirking glance. Mom nods eagerly, like that's obviously true.

Jackson and I keep quiet, standing close together. Feeling my anxiety, he sends a warm pulse of reassurance down our bond and brushes his hand against mine. I smile up at him and send my thanks, but then I sigh and turn towards the doors as they open.

It's a short, quiet walk down the hall to the room where my professors wait, and when the five of us enter the Captain raises his eyebrows in surprise. Neumann just smirks like he was expecting it and then glances at his watch like he's eager to get this over with. Alvez, to my surprise, is the warmest.

"Ella!" he says, striding eagerly over and reaching for her hand.

"John!" she says, fond, taking his hand and leaning forward to exchange brief kisses on the cheek. My eyebrows fly up and I look, a little stunned, between Rafe and Jackson, who return my expression. I mean, we knew that mom hired Alvez, but we did not know that they were friends.

My dad clears his throat and Alvez murmurs his apologies, bowing quickly to my dad and taking his spot back on the other side of the table.

"If we could?" Neumann says, his bored voice ringing out in the room. "I have prep work to do, especially as the semester is starting so much earlier than expected."

My dad smirks and nods to Neumann. I frown at this as well. How well do these two know each other?

Why are all the adults friends and no one told me?

"Of course," dad says, gesturing for us three Cadets to line up next to him, which we do. Mom stands at dad's side, her habitual place, and he puts a casual arm around her, his hand resting on her hip. Neumann, Alvez, and the captain stand across the table from us, looking towards my dad with interest, the Captain's eyes a little wary.

"Thank you for meeting with us today," dad says, his voice even and business-like. “I'm afraid that my child has been engaging in quite a bit of deception this past semester, and I'd like your opinion on how we should handle it.”

The Captain frowns as his eyes move immediately to Rafe, but Neumann and Alvez look at me, Alvez with a smirk, Neumann with a slight nod. "Ariel?" dad says, turning to me. "If you would?"

I sigh and then reach up, taking off my cap and letting my hair fall down around my shoulders. "I'm sorry," I say, looking between each of my professors. "I wouldn't have lied if I could have told you the truth and stayed in the school. But I think we're all aware that that wouldn't have happened if I had."

Neumann just looks back at my dad like he's waiting for him to make this worth his time, and Alvez looks at me with a deeper grin, his eyes moving slowly over the length of my hair like he quite likes it. A shiver passes through me and I glance at my mom, who doesn't seem to notice.

"Oh, goddess help us," the Captain murmurs, half dismayed and half frustrated. "The shrimp is a girl."

My pulse quickens as I turn to stare at my professor – as we all do. He covers his face with his hand and heaves a deep sigh, turning half away from us like he's embarrassed to have missed it.

"When I initially learned of my daughter's subterfuge I was vehement that she would not be returning to school this semester," my dad says, continuing on even as the Captain collects himself. "But my family," dad turns to frown at us like we're a great deal of trouble - which I suppose we are. "Convinced me to leave it in your hands."

The Captain drops his hand from his face with a sigh and looks at me evenly, a frown on his face.

"Ariel has passed all of her final exams with honors," dad says, looking at me, unable to keep a bit of pride from his voice. "And, despite her injuries, she did legally pass the examination by leaning on the strength of the bonds she has with her fellow cadets. By the rules of the academy, she has every right to continue as a student. But if you, her professors, will not have her here then I will take her home with me now and we will find another way use Ariel's talents to aid the nation in this time of war."

I stop breathing, my spine going straight as I look out at my professors - these three men who hold my fate in their hands.

 

Chapter 0432

 

To one one's surprise, Neumann again glances at his watch. "I already told Cadet Sinclair that I'd be disappointed if she didn't return. I've put quite a bit of preparation into her continued enrollment this semester." He glances at Alvez and the Captain on either side of him. "If either of you have objections to the Princess's continued enrollment please be aware that you will incur my wrath as well as the...shrimp's." He smirks here, turning his eyes to me, clearly tickled by the diminutive he hasn't yet heard.

I scowl, hating that he knows my stupid nickname. And here I was, hoping to have his respect!

"I am pleased to continue," Alvez says evenly, folding his hands behind his back and smiling around the room at all of us. "Cadet Sinclair - Ariel, I mean, for clarity - is the only one of my students to have begun manifesting their powers. At least..." he takes a moment here to smirk at Jacks - a fact no one misses. "As far as I know."

Jackson doesn't react at all, staring back at Alvez with perfect equanimity. I fight a smile, pleased that Jackson's secret still remains safe with me.

"Anton Davis, of course, has manifested his - but he came in that way," Alvez continues with a casual sigh. "So, as you can imagine, I am eager to continue working with the one pupil whose course seems to be...working for her." He gives me another sly smile and I glance at my parents, still shocked that they don't seem to be noticing this.

Rafe too just blinks and nods.

But down the bond with Jackson, I feel his wolf raise his hackles. I send a little burst of panic his way, inquiring why no one else is noticing the way Alvez is looking at me. He sends back a feeling like a hand smoothing down my hair - cool and calm. I exhale slowly, leaning into that calm hand, trusting him.

But there's no time to consider it - not really - as the Captain begins to speak.

"So," he snaps, clearly not as happy as my other to professors. "It's all down to me, then? To levy discontent, when everyone else is happy to let her break the rules simply because she's a princess?"

Anxiety turns in me, easily overtaking the cool calm that Jackson passed me a moment ago. Because he's right - of course he is. I'm only still here because I have the right connections.

"To be fair," my mom says, her voice calm and considering. "If another young lady had accomplished as much as Ariel this past semester and I were on a panel to decide whether or not she could continue her enrollment, I'd vote for it. My fondness for my daughter aside, I think she's earned her place here."

"I won't be accused of misogyny in this situation," the Captain snaps, looking my mother evenly in the eye and then ensuring that each of the rest of us get the same treatment. "I have no problem with women - I'm not the type who thinks that they're lesser than men, or weaker. But I was on this council at the start of this school twenty years ago when it was decided that single-sex education would be better."

"I was on the council as well," my dad says, and we all turn our attention to him. "And I remember that your opinion was split. Rest assured, Ivan, whatever your decision today - we won't hold it against you or make assumptions about your politics."

“I'm grateful for that,” the Captain says as I blink, absurdly surprised by the fact that he has a first name and isn't just The Captain. "But I have to say that I agree with the decision. Girls at the school - it's too much chaos. I'm not saying it would be anything the girls themselves did - but the boys will get distracted. Falling in love, having fights over who is dating who." He shakes his head with a grimace. "It would be chaos - which we can't have, not at a serious institution that is working hard to turn out fine warriors."

I blush horribly when I realize that what he says is true - that all of that did happen when I showed up, and I'm just one girl. But...I mean, none of us are any further behind in our studies for it, are we?

"Your point about the chaos of enrolling young women is well taken," Neumann says, speaking quickly and on a bit of a sigh as if he really doesn't have time to indulge in this. “It unfortunately fights against hundreds of years of gendered ideology to assume that a group of idiotic young men won't go to pieces just because a girl is around. But luckily there is an easy solution to this."

The Captain turns to him, as the rest of us do, with eyebrows raised.

Chapter 0433

"Ariel will merely continue to keep her secret," Neumann says, gesturing towards me. "Her brother and cousin will continue scent marking her to hide her scent. The realities of her sex and gender will be kept strictly secret amongst those who already know, which..." he pauses and gives Jackson a quick once-over, a little smirk on his lips, “apparently has already gotten out already.”

I blush again, realizing that Neumann has probably guessed more about my romantic situation than I ever wanted him to know. But of course he does - why else would Jackson be here?

"It depends," the Captain says, snapping his eyes back to me. "Who else knows about this? How big has it gotten? Jesse Sinclair and..."

"Ben Ternicki and Luca Grant," I say instantly. I bite my lip, wondering if I should mention Daphne, but I hold my tongue, not wanting to get her in trouble.

"This is all?" The Captain asks, and when I nod he lifts his eyes to the ceiling, considering.

"If I may, sir," I say, taking a hesitant step forward. He returns his eyes to me, nodding. "I want to tell Tony," I hesitate, wondering if I should use his full first name, which I honestly just learned today. "I mean, Anton Davis as well."

The Captain's mouth pops open a little, I think appalled at the idea.

I continue in a rush. "He's the only one in our magic class that doesn't know," I say quite quickly. "And we've all already sworn ourselves to secrecy regarding our magical gifts - I'm confident he can be trusted. It's just...unfair, in a classroom of seven people for him to be the only one who doesn't know. Plus, counter-productive for our lessons."

"Anton Davis," my mother murmurs, drawing all attention to her even though she keeps her eyes on me. "The one who has manifested his magical gift?"

I nod to her, intrigued.

"I've met so few people with fully manifested magic - I'd like to meet him," she says, turning her face up to my dad. "Do you think it can be arranged? If we have time?" He frowns at her for a second and then shrugs as he nods, implying that it can.

"If we may,” Neumann says on a heavy sigh, clearly done with all of this. He gestures towards the Captain, who stands with his arms crossed, clearly deep in thought.

"There will be an uproar if she's found out," the Captain says, speaking his thoughts as he works through them. "I won't have that. But...as long as she's not found out, I'm...I'm not against her staying in the school. She's a fine shot and the military will certainly be able to use her - it would be a loss to send her away just because she's a girl. But if the other Cadets find out and break into protest, your Highnesses," he says, looking at my mother and then my father. “My first priority is to the mission of the school, not to one student. Am I clear?"

"You are," my father says with a stern nod. Then he looks at me. "Do you agree to these terms, Ariel?"

"Yes," I say, my word barely a breath as happiness races through me and my wolf turns happily in my soul, her little feet prancing. I beam at each of my instructors in turn. "Thank you. You won't regret it."

"Make sure of that, young lady," the Captain says, giving me a stern nod.

Alvez claps his hands together and smiles at us as he moves forward around the table. "I'm sorry that my time is short here," he says, bowing to my mother and father and giving them all the proper obeisances. Then he turns to Rafe, Jackson, and I. "The three of you I'll look forward to seeing in class the day after tomorrow. Come ready to report any...progress."

He gives me another one of those sly grins alongside a little chuckle before moving out of that room.

"What a charming man," mom says with a little sigh as he goes. I stare at her like she's insane, and when mom notices she just frowns at me, clearly asking what's wrong. Unfortunately, there's no time to respond.

"And I will see you tomorrow, Ariel," Neumann says, stepping close as the Captain pulls my father aside for a word. "I've got quite a bit in store for you," he says with a smirk of his own - though his makes me nervous for a totally different reason than Alvez.

"Really?" I ask, my eyes going wide as I tuck my hands behind my back and clasp them together.

"Oh yes," he says, grinning wickedly. "We're going to have a lot of fun this semester. Or at least I will."

I nod seriously to him and then let out a little sigh as he goes, because this is clearly going to be a more exhausting semester than even the last.

Chapter 0434

 

When my professors have gone and it's just the five of us left in the room, my father tuns and gives us all a sharp nod. "Good," he says, looking between us Cadets. "That went better than I thought it would. It seems almost as if...at least Neumann was already aware."

I give a little shrug, admitting it a bit with a small smile.

Dad huffs a laugh and then runs a hand through his hair, turning to Rafe. "Off to the room with you, Rafe," he says. "You're all finished here."

Rafe's mouth drops open for a moment. "But..." he looks at Jackson and I with a frown. "Where are they going?"

"Another meeting," mom says with a happy sigh, her eyes crinkling up a little as she takes Rafe's hands and pulls him forward for a little kiss on the cheek. “Not necessary for you. I'll miss you baby, be good."

Rafe sputters in protest, half torn between his desire to give mom a proper goodbye and protest that he wants to join the meeting. But dad just raises a single eyebrow at him, daring him to counter his decision, and Rafe scowls.

"Fine," he murmurs, giving dad as much of a glare as he dares. Then he gives mom a proper kiss and dad a hug before heading out of the room. "Take their bags!" dad calls, gesturing towards our backpacks. Rafe scowls again but does asa he's told, taking our backpacks from us and using the chance to say a few stern words to Jackson, instructing him to escort me back to the room after whatever it is we're doing.

Jackson smirks as if he finds it humorous that Rafe thinks he needs to be reminded.

But I don't have time for any of that. "What are we doing?" I ask, frowning as I look between my parents. "What's going on?"

"Nothing to be upset about, baby trouble," mom says, slipping an arm around me and leading me towards the door. "Dominic? Where to?"

"Just down the hall," he murmurs, starting out in the lead. Jackson brings up the rear, of course, and I frown over my shoulder at him, silently asking if he knows what's going on. But he just shrugs, letting me know that he knows as much as I do.

"What is with all the secrets today," I growl, giving my mom a poke in the ribs with my finger.

She laughs and scoots away from me for a second. "It's not secrets Ariel - just not a great deal of time to give everyone a brief about our plans for the day."

"We had an entire helicopter ride!"

"Yes, my love," she sighs, reaching out to pat me fondly on the cheek. "But it was very loud, and I was very distracted by the magazine with all of its lovely pictures and hilarious theories, none of which actually matched the truth for true drama –“

I groan, shaking my head at her, knowing she's lying but giving in to it. If mom wants to keep her secrets there's no stopping her, and honestly she's probably doing it for a reason so I give in, just following along. I trust her, after all. Jackson willingly follows close behind, quiet as usual, but down the bond I feel his utter trust in mom too.

We follow dad down the hall to a door that he pushes open. His face breaks into a huge smile as he steps into the room. "It's been a long time, friend!"

Mom gives a little squeak of joy and rushes forward, tugging me along with her. I go willingly, even if I am baffled. I feel Jackson close behind me as I step into the room and see a man sitting on the other side of a small table, a laptop open before him - a human, and one I've met before.

"Hank!" my mom says, abandoning me immediately and dashing over to her old friend. "It's so good to see you, I've missed you."

Hank is lucky enough to stand in time for my mother to run past my dad and barrel into him. He laughs as he wraps his arms around her. "It's good to see you too, Ella - you're right, it's been too long."

Mom beams up at Hank as dad comes to shake his hand, perhaps the fondest gesture dad gives to anyone outside of the family.

"You remember our eldest daughter, of course?" dad says, gesturing towards me.

I step forward eagerly, my hand out. "Hi!" I say, laughing a little. “I remember you! You came once to the palace when I was younger."

 

Chapter 0435

 

"Yes, younger and smaller," he says, giving me a warm smile as he takes my hand in both of his, shaking it. "It's a pleasure to see you all grown up, Ariel - and I'm glad to hear that you're holding up your family's tradition of keeping things interesting."

I blush a little at this but laugh, knowing he doesn't mean anything by it. "This is Jackson McClintock," I say, half turning to gesture towards Jackson, who still stands awkwardly by the door. "Another...Cadet at the Academy," I finish a little lamely, not knowing quite what to say.

"It's all right," Hank says with a happy sigh as Jackson comes forward to shake his hand as well. "Your parents already informed me of your rather unique situation. Two mates - it's very interesting. I mean, I'm a physician, but I've long been interested in how magic engages with the lycanthrope body. Fascinating stuff."

My mouth drops a bit as Jackson comes forward and shakes Hank's hand. Jackson, stoic as usual, doesn't say a word, edging a bit closer to me and starting to feel a little wary.

"Sit down, Ariel, Jackson," my dad says, gesturing to two chairs on one side of the small table. He sits down in the chair next to Hank's as Hank takes his seat as well. Mom hesitates and then takes a seat at the head of the table - between the two groups. I frown at her as she sits down, stepping closer to Jacks and slipping my hand into his.

Because something...something feels off about this.

"What is going on?" I ask, my voice a little snappier than I mean it to be. "Why...why are the five of us here?"

"We're here," dad says, folding his hands on the table and looking pointedly at the two open chairs. "To ask Jackson some questions. About his previous life in the Community."

My spine stiffens and I squeeze Jackson's hand. He squeezes mine back, suddenly wary. Down the bond, I feel his wolf's hackles raise. Neither of us say anything, both of us just staring stiffly at my parents and their old friend.

"Ariel," mom says, her voice pleading. "Don't get defensive, darling - it's not -"

"Then why spring this on us?" I snap, turning to glare at her. "Why wait until now, why not ask questions while we were at the palace?" "Because," my father says, quite evenly. "This is the soonest that we could get Hank here - he flew in this morning. Had the timing been different, we would have of course met him at the palace."

"Well, what does Dr. Hank have to do with it?" I ask, casting a hand out towards him. As the words fall from my lips I grimace, realizing that I'm being rude. I send him an apologetic glance and he nods to me, accepting my tacit apology, letting me know he understands.

"Because he's from the North," Jackson says quietly next to me, and I snap my head up to him at the sound of his deep voice. "Or," he qualifies with a frown, tilting his head, "if not from the North, than recently there."

"How do you know that?" Hank asks, leaning forward with a smile, intrigued.

"I can smell it on you," Jackson murmurs, lifting his nose and giving another sniff of the air. "You smell like home. Cool winds, snow. Kerosine, which the fancier households use to heat their homes." He shrugs.

Hank's smile broadens, impressed.

"We asked Hank to come because we trust him," dad says simply, raising an eyebrow at me and again looking pointedly at the chairs. "He knows more about the North than we do. We spoke to him this morning and he told us some things about the Community in which Jackson was raised that we found...concerning."

I clench my jaw, still angry about being blindsided by this. I look up seriously into Jackson's face. "You don't have to do this, you know," I say quietly, again squeezing his hand, letting him know that I mean it. "We can just...go to school."

"No, it's okay," Jackson says immediately, nodding down at me, even though I can still feel a kind of anxiety twining with his stoicism. He turns his head to look at my parents and Hank. "I don't have anything to hide.”

"We're on your side, son," dad says, looking seriously at Jacksons. "We just have some questions."

Jackson nods once and takes his seat, not dropping my hand.