Ch. 496..500: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 496-500

Chapter 0496"I delt with it," I say, straightening my shoulders, frowning at my brother and my cousin. They both look up at me. "As best as I could, I delt with it. I did what I had to do to stay in the school, keep my secret, and keep myself protected."

They both stare at me for a long moment before Rafe nods, tacitly acknowledging that there wasn't much else I could do - that my route, as much as he doesn't like it, was probably the most effective one. Jackson tightens his arms around me slightly, lending me his warmth and support.

"Okay, fine," Jesse sighs, raising a hand and brushing it once, roughly, over his sleepy eyes. "No sense in making any of us feel guilty for what's passed. What do we do now?"

"We tell mom and dad," Rafe says immediately. "Get him fired."

“Don't you think that's hasty?" Jacks asks.

"No," Rafe replies, snapping his head up to glare at him. "Are you seriously telling me that -"

“Slow down, Rafe,” Jacks snaps, frowning at my brother. “You're jumping to conclusions because you're pissed. Just...let me explain.”

Rafe growls a little, deep in his chest, but acquiesces a moment later. I suppress a smile as my wolf dances a little inwardly, some part of me a little pleased to see my big tough brother put in his place. I mean, I love Rafe, but he does kind of barrel through conversations when he's lost his temper like this - and it's kind of nice to have someone around who's not afraid to counter him.

"I do want Alvez gone," Jackson says, glancing at me. "I think he's dangerous and I don't think Ariel should have to put up with his shit anymore. But I want to know what's going on with him and his ability to - I don't know, distract everyone? Or at least, some of us? There's something to it, but to me it feels like...magic."

Jackson frowns, looking to me for support, asking silently if I feel the same. I nod, agreeing, and turn my attention to Rafe and Jesse. "I would also like to know before he's gone," I say, firm. "Besides, guys, he's such a crap professor - honestly, there has to be someone who can better help you figure out your magic a little more quickly."

"Well," Rafe says, glancing at Jesse, "I think it's fair to say that none of us ever liked him, but I'm amenable to the idea of figuring out what's going on with this...distraction thing, if that's what we're calling it. But what do you think it is? Is he like, intentionally blocking some of us, and letting others in?" "But why would he let Tony see?" I ask, frowning at the idea.

"Is it like, some people's magic lets them see it?" Jesse offers, tilting his head to the side. But then he frowns at Jacks, clearly wondering why Jackson could see, as Jesse still doesn't know about Jackson's access to his gifts.

"No, Ella was fooled too," Jacks says, sighing and crossing his arms as he leans back against the couch, cleverly finding another way to end this supposition without spilling his secret.

The boys nod, taking the point, and then four of us are quiet for a moment together, sitting in the dark in our pajamas in our Castle tower, thinking over our options. And even as I know that this is serious and upsetting, a little spark of happiness dances in my soul because...I really like my life. And I like that Jackson is here, and that my brother and my cousin are so eager to stand up for me.

I'm just...really, really lucky.

"I think we should set a trap," Rafe says suddenly, drawing my attention back to him.

"A trap!?" I ask, sitting up straight in surprise.

"I mean, not a complicated one. I just think we want answers to these questions, sooner rather than later," Rafe says, nodding to me. "I think we need to get Alvez alone with the four of us and that the easiest way to do that is to...get him alone in his office. Let's wait for him to ask you for the private tutoring or whatever, Ari. Then, when he's in here waiting at the arranged time, we all show up."

 

Chapter 0497

"With weapons,” Jesse growls, his eyes lighting a bit devilishly.

"No weapons," Jacks snaps and Jesse's face drops into a scowl. "We don't need them, and we're not giving him any reason to disintegrate us on the spot. Alvez is powerful - don't forget that. We don't want him to feel so threatened that he acts out."

"Fine, just a couple of weapons," Jesse says, spreading out his hands like it's a great concession. "Small ones."

"After that," Rafe says, looking at me evenly and ignoring Jesse's antics. "He's gone. Okay?"

"Okay,” I say, nodding and breathing out a sharp breath, pressing my hands together on top of my knees. "That will be...good. And then for magic class..."

"The school can figure that out," Jackson murmurs, placing a hand on my back and rubbing it up and down comfortingly. "That's not our problem." “True,” I sigh, and then I smile a little as I look around at everyone. “Thanks, guys," I whisper. "For having my back.”

"Anytime, Ari," Jesse says, beaming at me.

"Yeah, we love you," Rafe says, getting to his feet, heaving a yawn and stretching his arms above his head. "Though if you could arrange for me to have your back at a more reasonable hour next time, sis, that would be great."

I laugh a little, jumping to my feet and wrapping my arms tight around Rafe's waist while he's otherwise distracted. Rafe laughs, looking down at me and dropping his arms to give me a little hug.

"All right, go away," Rafe murmurs, laughing a little and shoving me gently towards Jackson, who scoops me up in his arms and carries me away towards the nook. Jesse likewise gives us a sleepy little wave, heading for his own bed.

"Come on, tiny," Jacks murmurs, sitting down hard on the bed and curling me up against him as he lays down. "Let's go to sleep."

"Okay,” I say, sighing happily and letting my eyes drift shut as Jackson strokes his hand softly over my hair and down my back, again and again. “See you cliffside in a little bit."

"Can't wait."

During the run the next morning, Rafe sets one hell of a pace, and every single one of them can tell that it's not because he's eager to exercise for the joy of it. Nope, it's very clear to everyone that Rafe's trying to outrun his emotions.

Jackson keeps up with him, going stride for stride, his steady face giving no indication of flagging. But Ariel has no chance of keeping up.

Jackson glances over his shoulder for her, concerned, but when Jesse waves a hand and slows down, indicating that he'll keep pace with her, Jackson turns his attention back to the run.

Jackson and Rafe go further than they have before - out into the wilds around the Academy, so far that the Castle disappears from sight behind them. It's only when Rafe's own footsteps begin to slow as they crest a hill that Jackson's do too.

The pair slacken, and then slow, and then come to a stop at the top of the hill, Rafe bending over a little with his hands on his waist, panting.

"Why," Rafe says in between big breaths, looking up at Jackson a little. "Are you so fucking fit? I can outrun everyone - literally everyone - I've ever met except for you. And I'm beat now and you're not even breathing hard."

Jackson just looks at Rafe evenly, frowning a little, wiping some sweat off his brow. "I'm...a little out of breath," he says, even though he is patently not.

The prince just stares at his sister's mate, waiting for an answer, until Jackson sighs and heaves a little shrug. "I have limitless energy," he says casually, like it's no big deal.

Rafe just rolls his eyes, turning away a bit, annoyed by the joke instead of the explanation.

"No, Rafe," Jackson says, reaching for his arm and pulling Rafe back. "I mean...that's my power - that's my magic, all right? Ariel already knows. I just.......never run out of energy. I don't really need to sleep or eat unless I want to - at least, not for a long time."

"Whoa," Rafe says, straightening up and staring at his friend, kind of shocked.

Chapter 0498

Jacks just stands and looks back at Rafe, a little awkward, waiting for him to react to the secret he just told.

"That's really cool," Rafe whispers.

"So, you probably are fitter than me," Jacks says with a shrug. “Just...not magically powered. Why the hell did we run so far today?"

"I don't know," Rafe says, sighing and turning away from Jackson a little, looking out over the distance. "I just...wanted to run. And then I was pissed at you for keeping up with me, so I tried to wear you out. Which...obviously backfired."

Jacks smirks a little, standing close at Rafe's side and likewise looking out over the countryside. The two are quiet for a minute before Jackson, uncharacteristically, breaks the silence. “Jesse said,” he murmurs, “that...when your friends are upset you just...be there for them. Just stay by their side, even if they don't want to talk. That's what I was trying to do. I'm sorry if it pissed you off even more - if I'd have known, I'd have let you beat me."

Rafe sighs, glancing over at his friend, kind of cursing the fact that he's such a great guy. Because it would be a hell of a lot easier to be pissed at him, and the rest of the world, if he wasn't. And right now, Rafe's feeling like he's not yet finished being angry.

"How'd you know I was pissed?" he asks, crossing his arms and sighing, guessing that he probably has to give it up sometime.

"You're all...quiet and moody," Jackson sighs, still looking out over the landscape. "I mean, you're sometimes quiet, but you're never moody. You're the most even-tempered guy I've ever met."

"You're more perceptive than I thought you were," Rafe murmurs, turning to study Jacks a little.

Jackson doesn't look back at him, not bothered by being studied by the crown prince. "I mean, I know you guys think I grew up in a box or something, Rafe, but I did have friends in the Community. Best friends. I know how to read emotions, especially in guys who usually tuck them away."

Rafe smirks a little and shakes his head, sighing, surprised again by the group's adopted Alpha foundling.

"Fine," Rafe sighs, crossing his arms and looking away, not wanting to make eye contact while he talks about it. "It's Daphne."

Jackson hums noncommittally, not pushing, letting Rafe take control of the conversation.

"It's just," Rafe sighs, frustrated, running a hand through his damp hair, "last night when I went down to see her it was just...very obvious that we're not on the page with our...relationship. Or whatever this is."

Jackson makes a curious noise deep in his throat, encouraging Rafe to continue.

"And it's not just about sex and physical stuff," Rafe grumbles, casting his eyes out over the beautiful, austere winter landscape. "It's the conversation too - I'm ready to go like... deeper, to really connect, but Daphne feels...resistant to that. Like she doesn't want to go deeper with me...to let me in." He sighs again, shaking his head, allowing himself to feel all of his frustration. "I just...really like her, Jacks. I'm ready to make her like, my girlfriend, be official - and I've never felt that way about anyone before. But Daphne is holding back - I can feel it. And my wolf knows it too."

"Maybe it's because she knows she's not your mate," Jacks says, shrugging a little.

Rafe snaps his head to frown at him. "How the hell do you know that?"

"Well, is she?" Jacks asks, turning his head and giving Rafe a frown in return.

"No," Rafe bites out with a scowl, tightening his arms across his chest. "I mean, at least, my wolf says she's not."

"Your wolf would know," Jackson says, nodding and looking back towards the country again. "You'll know, when your mate comes. It's instant. Undeniable."

"Wait, how do you know I have a mate?" Rafe asks, sharp.

“Ariel told me,” Jackson replies, even, making Rafe blanche at the fact that she spilled a secret he so recently told her. “Ariel tells me everything." Rafe huffs a laugh, turning back to gaze over the hills as well. "Well, that's annoying."

"No it's not, it's...great," Jacks says, fighting a smile as he thinks of her but wanting to stay serious for Rafe's sake.

Rafe laughs a little, ruefully, and shakes his head. "Well at least she found someone who likes to listen to her talk. It's her favorite hobby, inherited from our mom.

 

Chapter 0499

 

Jacks nods, solid. "She's really funny. And...surprising. I never know what she's going to say next. It's just..." he shrugs, at a loss for words. "Great.” Rafe smiles a little, unable to help it, pleased that these two found each other. But he sighs again, still troubled.

"Do you want my perspective?" Jacks asks, turning to his friend.

Rafe sighs and turns as well, meeting Jackson's eyes. "Lay it on me, kid."

Jackson rolls his shoulders, loosening them after their long run. "If Daphne is the one who needs to take it slower, go by her schedule. There's no point in dragging her up to your speed - let her set the pace. And if you tell her that that's what you're doing, she'll probably be grateful that you care about what she wants and you two will be stronger for it."

Rafe twists his mouth to the side, wishing it wasn't such good advice. Wishing he'd thought of it himself. "Where did you learn so much about relationships?" he mutters, rueful.

"The inte," Jacks says, so bland that Rafe bursts out laughing. "There is a lot about relationships on the inte - I did some research. And yeah, your sister,” Jacks continues, smiling again. “I spend a lot of time thinking about what will make her happy. She does the same. I think it...works."

"Well, shit," Rafe says, shaking his head at Jackson. "It sounds simple enough. I guess I can give it a try."

Jackson shrugs like he hopes it helps but also like he doesn't think he did much. Rafe just smiles, suddenly grateful to have Jacks in his life. Especially as...well, for some reason, it doesn't seem like he can talk to Jesse about this.

"What happens," Rafe says with a frown, the question forming on his tongue before he even realizes he's going to ask it. "If she...never gets up to my speed?"

Jackson meets Rafe's eyes then, a little sad. "I mean, then I think you have your answer."

Rafe exhales, long and deep, hating the idea. He takes a moment, staring out at the newly-risen sun, wondering passively about what a future without Daphne would look like. Like...would she...find someone else, someone she likes more?

God, even the thought of it...

Rafe presses his eyes closed and presses the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, erasing the thought from his mind. It's not his reality right now, after all. No point in dwelling on it.

“All right,” Rafe says, dropping his hand and shaking his head, turning back in the direction of the castle. "You want to head back?"

"Yup," Jackson says, starting off at a jog that Rafe matches. "If we go fast, we can probably still beat Ariel and Jesse."

Rafe laughs, starting to say that that's not necessary, but then he tilts his head to the side, considering it. "Actually," he says, picking up the pace a little and starting to really run, approaching a sprint. "Let's try to do that. That will really piss her off."

Jackson laughs and matches the prince's pace. Together, they make record time back to the Castle.

"This sucks. This sucks!" I moan about thirty minutes later when Jesse and I arrive back at the Castle door to find Rafe and Jackson leaning against it, drinking casually from their water bottles, not even out of breath.

"What sucks?" Rafe asks, grinning at me, too innocent.

"You two!" I pant, pointing an angry finger at the hill over which they ran. "Went way over there! I should have got back here first! You're just showing off, you jerks!"

"We would never do that to you, Ariel," Jackson says, his voice guileless even as he grins at me. Jacks shakes his head at me like he can't believe I would ever accuse him of such a thing, which is a step too far.

I narrow my eyes at my mate for a second, a snarl forming on my lips, and then I launch myself at him, my fingers curled like claws, a vehement attack. Jackson just bursts out laughing and snatches me out of the air by the waist, effectively countering my murder attempt in half a second before tossing me over his shoulder and stepping away with me to the side as I burst out laughing, smacking him hard with the palms of my hands.

Chapter 0500

"Oh, put me down," I sigh, defeated, going limp and smacking at Jackson's back as Jesse and Rafe likewise step aside, checking in on each other, speaking softly. "I'm shamed enough by my lack of athleticism, you don't have to rub it in."

"You did very good today," Jacks lies, setting me back down on my feet and slipping his hands into his pockets, I think to avoid the urge to touch me more, to pull me in tight against him like I very much want him to.

My wolf howls sharply at being so denied and I sigh, grinning at my mate. But then I glance at my brother, deep in conversation with my cousin, and step closer to Jackson. "So, what was that about?"

"Rafe was in a mood," Jacks says casually, glancing over at him. "We talked it out."

"Well?" I press, stepping even closer and peering up at him eagerly. "What did he say?"

"Um, he said it's a bro secret," Jacks says, his face breaking into a brilliant grin. "And that I don't have to tell you everything. And that he and I are allowed to have privacy, because we're friends, without you butting in.”

I scoff, aghast, even as - secretly, inwardly - I'm thrilled to see the pair of them growing closer. But still - the great sin of denying me gossip deserves immediate punishment. I pitch forward, giving Jacks a hearty shove that, as usual, doesn't make him budge at all. "Jacks! That's so unfair! I tell you everything!"

"Which is your choice, Clark," Jacks says, smirking at me as he works hard to keep his hands in his pockets, knowing that public displays of affection are forbidden. Even though I can tell that it's killing him a little bit right now.

"You'll pay for this." I growl, leaning forward with my hands on my hips, glaring up into his face.

"Can't wait," he counters, leaning forward until our faces are quite close. Much closer than they should be. My breath hitches a little in my chest.

"If you two are done being...weird," Jesse calls over to us, and we both turn towards him with guilty smiles. "Then shall we go to class? We're running late, since two of the four of us decided to go on an emotional journey."

Rafe laughs but smacks Jesse on the shoulder, heading inside. I grin, glad to see my brother in a better mood - because we all knew something was up this morning. I turn my smile on Jackson as we follow the pair of them into the castle, glad that he was there for my brother, glad that he apparently helped.

"What do you have going on today?" Jacks asks, returning my smile.

But unfortunately, it's precisely the wrong question to ask. My smile drops immediately into a scowl as we enter the elevator after Rafe and Jesse. "Marksmanship," I say with a sigh. "I'm crazy nervous about it."

"Why?" Jacks asks, frowning at me and wrapping a warm arm around my shoulders after the doors shut and we have a moment of relative privacy. "You're a great shot and the Captain likes you - he bet on you. You made him a bunch of money."

"My inheritance," Jesse sighs, mockingly mournful. I grin at him, but then look back to Jacks.

"I just...want to be good at it," I say with a sigh. "And now that I'm the only student, I feel a great deal of pressure. I know I'm being irrational, I'm just...nervous."

"You'll be great," Jacks says, giving me a squeeze and a kiss on my hair just before the doors open on his floor. "Stay confident! You'll shoot better if you're confident!"

Then he gives me a final grin before turning and walking away down the hall, waving over his shoulder as he goes.

"Look at him, learning to wave goodbye when he leaves," Jesse murmurs as the elevator doors slide shut. "Becoming so cultured."

"Yeah, he's doing good," Rafe says fondly, his eyes still on the doors.

And I step close to my brother, happy and pleased that he's found a real friend in my mate.

When I get to the gym where we usually hold the sniping-track classes, the Captain is waiting for me. But to my surprise, he immediately hefts a bag with a thick fabric strap up onto his shoulder when he sees me, lifting his chin towards the door.

"Back out," he says, a tiny smile deepening one corner of his mouth. "We've got a new spot for you, Clark."