Ch. 516..520: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 516-520

Chapter 0516

Luca sits down and we all lean forward as Rafe and Jackson take their folded notes and quickly open them, glancing through the contents. I lean over Jackson's arm, trying to read it myself, but he laughs and pulls it out of my sight. "Confidential, Clark."

"Oh, you're going to tell me anyway!"

"Maybe," he mutters. "If you're nice to me."

"I'm always nice to you!"

"It's not a big deal," Rafe says, taking a deep breath and putting his own note down, looking over at Jacks. "Is yours the same as mine? Notification that the Games are being moved up? And that we're..."

"Co-captains," Jackson replies, putting down his own letter, a little smile on his face. I look around at all of the boys' faces, trying to gauge the impact of this news.

“W-what does this mean?" I ask quietly, anxious.

"Don't get worked up about it, Ari," Rafe says, turning his eyes to me. "It's... faster than they'd usually run the Games, probably because of the war. It just means that Jackson and I have minor adjustments to our schedules so that we can begin to plan our strategy. We get a weekly study hall to meet and come up with our plan, look through Cadet profiles, organize our draft list."

"Draft list?" I ask, screwing up my nose, looking around at everyone else, kind of baffled that they're all taking this in stride like it's completely normal conversation.

"The order in which they'll pick their team," Luca says, grinning over at me. "Which Cadet they'll pick first, which last. Who is a priority, who isn't. I, obviously...will go very quickly." Jokingly smug, he gestures to himself with a confident wave of his hand.

I laugh, taking the bait and leaning forward to grin at him. "Only after me, Grant. I've got the only sniper rifle on the field."

"You first?" Jesse asks, leaning forward to look at me, appalled. "Ari, I don't know if you're aware of this, but I am...a duke. It would be incredibly rude, as well as foolish, to not pick me first. Especially considering that I'm not the size of a small labrador and can actually throw a punch -"

I gasp, appalled and offended. “Jesse!” I shout, snatching up a mini muffin and throwing it at him. "I'm – I'm way bigger than a labrador!"

"You even threw the smallest muffin," Jesse exclaims, swatting it out of the air, "can you even lift a larger one -"

"Ari's first," Jackson says, his voice booming out, rich and authoritative. He laughs a little, grinning at Jesse's appalled face, and then over at Rafe for confirmation.

Rafe just sighs, folding his arms over his chest and looking me up and down. "We'll see," he says, dubious. "At how good you get with that rifle. And then...we'll see."

I smile again, starting in on my plate of food eagerly, newly determined to make sure that I do get as good as I need to be - but also newly assured that I will.

Don't worry, Jackson murmurs directly into my mind. You're first, both because you will be a good shot by then and because I'm not letting you out of my sight in another battle scenario. Then he, too, concentrates on his food with gusto – and I lean a little closer to my big tough mate, loving him just a little bit more.

The next two weeks fly, mostly because I'm too busy to notice the time passing.

Every morning I get up early with Jackson and we head out to my sniping blind, where I diligently practice, working to improve my accuracy. Every three or four days the Captain sends me a note, letting me know that he's reviewed my targets and what changes he thinks I can make to my strategy and my form that will help me improve. When I start to be able to hit the bull's eye with accuracy, he sends instructions that I'm to make a line of bullets all the way down the target. When I can do that laying down, sitting, and standing, I arrive at the blind the next day to find the target moved back.

He also sends along a book on modern rifles and shooting strategy which I sigh and add to my growing list of reading material. But I don't complain not at all - because I'm very eager to keep going. Not only because I want the top spot in the I Games draft, but also because I'm determined to become the best sniper I can be in case we do have to go to war.

Every day after Jacks and I climb down from the blind it's a grueling run with Jesse and Rafe, showers, breakfast, and then all hell breaks loose. My schedule is a strange mismatch of activities as I study my ass off in every spare hour, as Faiza teaches me further particulars of picking pockets and how to blend into rooms, as Neumann teaches me how to identify and mix toxic materials, and as Alvez teaches me...well, nothing. But he does go on and on about magical theory, boring us all nearly to death. Luckily for me, he's been focusing his attention on Tony for now and hasn't contacted me for any private sessions, which Tony says are boring and annoying. I'm grateful to Tony, honestly, for taking that bullet for right now - even though I'm sure mine is coming soon.

 

Chapter 0517

I end each of my days with Blaze, who finally begins to teach me how to deliver a blow instead of just dodging them. Luca diligently comes along to all of Blaze's lessons, sitting quietly and studying while I work with my instructor and, afterwards, allowing me to practice on him in his incredibly different style. It's remarkably different, using the skills Blaze teaches me on a man nearly double my size and weight, but also very, very helpful. This, after all, will be my likely opponent if I ever get into a jam and need to use these skills - though Faiza has warned me to keep them as secret as I can. Apparently, my creampuff image will dissolve immediately if people sense that I can punch their lights out.

Tonight, Luca helps me practice an advance. He's been instructed to block my blows but not deliver any of his own - just as I've been practicing with Blaze. My entire goal is to land a single blow anywhere on Luca's body that's not his hands and arms.

Unfortunately, Luca is crazy good. I snarl, frustrated, as my attempt fails for the eighth time.

"You're cheating," I scowl, crossing my arms as Luca grins at me.

"You want me to go easy on you?" he taunts, clearly pleased.

I sigh and shake my head, because obviously I don't want that. "Come on," I say, nodding back to the center of the room and heading in that direction. "Let's start again."

"You're signaling your next blow too clearly," Luca says, following me and setting up in his usual boxer's stance. "I can see it coming from a mile away."

"Yeah, well, my usual opponents aren't going to be boxing champions, are they?"

"You never know," he replies, his eyebrows going up. "Maybe you'll meet that big guy from Atalaxia that I fought - he's military too, after all. Then you'll be glad I didn't go easy on you."

I snarl a little, still rankled by the fact that I can't get anything by Luca and his long wingspan, his lightning-fast hands. "So, what do you recommend?" "Keep your shoulders straight until the last second," Luca says, the instruction coming easily to him after years in the gym. "Like you've got a wooden board across your back. Or, surprise me," he shrugs. "Can't block something if I've never seen it before."

"What?" I ask, straightening up a little.

"Quit delaying," Luca says, laughing a little, "let's go!"

And then, defying instructions, Luca takes an aggressive step towards me, swinging his left fist. I gasp a little at the change in plans but then anger riles in me not anger at Luca, who is just pushing me, anger at myself for not mastering this yet. God, what's taking me so

long? Why can't I land a single blow?

I fall back on my earlier training and duck quickly under Luca's arm, dodging forward and aiming my own jab at his ribs. But Luca's other hand is already there, swiping my hand away and leaving my body open for attack when he pulls his left hand back, aiming right for my face.

I dodge back, even though I know he wouldn't put any force behind it - not really - but even that makes me snarl in frustration - because I should be better at this by now! This whole system is about training me to use my smaller body and my skills against a bigger opponent, so why -

My train of thought is interrupted as

ne

Luca comes again and I take another step back, again dodging his blow, but then something in me snaps into place as I realize that I'm playing Luca's game - I'm giving him the ring, letting him set the rules as the boxer - letting him push me around like a little girl.

But we're not boxing, are we?

And I'm not just any girl.

mye

My wolf snarls with excitement in me as my teeth elongate into fangs and I take one more step back, falling into a crouch instead of my defensive stance. I am gratified for a single instant by the look of shock on Luca's face as I quickly shift - faster than he can blink - and launch myself into the air, aiming right for his chest. Content belongs

Luca's eyes go wide as he stumbles back a step, but it's too late - my snarl fills the room and my paws hit hard against his shoulders, knocking him to the floor, his arms sprawled out to the side. The breath heaves from his chest and I pin him down to the floor, my snarling jaws inches from his

face.

Chapter 0518

 

But my ferocious snarling into Luca's face only lasts a second, because I instantly shift back into my human form, shrieking my delight and throwing my hands in the air as I sit on Luca's chest, my legs sloppily straddled to either side. "I did it!" I shout, laughing with joy. "I hit you and I knocked you down!"

Luca coughs a couple of times but still grins up at me, shaking his head, his hands going to my hips. “That was awesome - how did you shift so fast?” "What?" I ask, leaning forward and putting my hands on his shoulders.

"Your shift," he says, drawing in a ragged breath, and I gasp a little - guilty - and move myself backwards so I'm sitting more properly on his stomach. Luca obligingly draws a deep breath and continues, still grinning at me, shaking his head a little in awe or delight - I'm really not sure. "Seriously, that was like lightning - how did you do that?"

"I don't know," I say, grinning, still pinning him down with no intention of giving up my victorious spot. "Maybe because I'm smaller, it takes less time?"

"Well, it was awesome," he says, still laughing a little and reaching up a hand to cup my cheek. "You should do that to Blaze tomorrow - even just to see the look on his face when you knock him on his ass." I burst out laughing and down the bond I can feel Luca's joy in making me laugh like that.

"Blaze would never allow it," I sigh, leaning forward more so that my chest and stomach lay out along Luca's. He grumbles a territorial little growl, wrapping his arms loosely around me. "Besides, we both broke the rules - you weren't supposed to try to land any blows, and I probably wasn't supposed to shift. Or at least, the not shifting was implied."

"Yeah, but there are no rules on the battlefield," Luca sighs happily, holding me close. "If it comes down to it, I hope you do shift. To protect yourself. And you really are fast – faster than anyone I've seen before – just a flash of pink and blonde and wham, I'm on the ground."

"Magical goddess speed, baby," I sigh, winking before I happily rest my head on his chest.

We lay like that for a long moment before Luca gives my butt a satisfying smack. "Come on, let's go eat dinner," he says, sitting up and taking me with him.

"Nooo, I was so comfortable," I whine, clinging to him and trying to push him back down. "Let's just take a nap -"

"Ariel, if we lay here any longer with you on top of me, a nap is going to be the last thing on my mind," he murmurs, a little wicked, tracing a hand slowly along my back.

Shivers run through me and my wolf gives an eager yip. "Oh yeah?"

།

"Out!" Blaze's voice rings from the door, making us both spin our heads towards him in shock - because I honestly didn't even realize he was still on the other side of it.

Honestly, what on earth is on the other side of that door?

"No funny business in my gym!" Blaze says, his face serious as he waves his hands at us.

Luca bursts out laughing and starts to stand up as I skitter up and away from him, blushing beet read. "Blaze, I -"

"No explanations, either," Blaze says,

glaring at us good-heartedly, a smirk

on his lips. "But go elsewhere, you

loud creatures - go and eat! Rest get your strength back! And

el е

tomorrow, I want to see this little wolf trick."

I blush again, realizing that the walls of the gym must be thin and Blaze must hear every word that Luca and I say together. But Blaze just laughs at me and turns away, going back through his door, waving over his shoulder.

Chapter 0519

“Come on," Luca says, that hungry little growl still deep in his voice as he puts a hand around my waist and pulls me flush to his side. "Let's go to dinner. Daphne's coming up tonight, right?"

"Oh yeah!" I say, my face breaking out in a smile - because I've seen less of my friend than I wanted to in this past week and a half. She's been as busy as the rest of us, after all. And then, smiling eagerly, I grab Luca's hand and haul him with me towards the door, grabbing our bookbags on the way.

I burst into a delighted smile the moment I step into our suite, dropping Luca's hand and dashing immediately for Daphne with a smile around at Ben, Rafe, or Jesse, who are also here. "Hi, hi!" I say, laughing as I wrap her up in a big hug even though she's barely had time to stand up from her place on the couch. "It's so good to see you Daph! How have you been!?"

"Um!" she says, laughing and pulling away from me a bit so she can smile into my face. "I've had...more breath, in other moments!" Laughing, I loosen my arms around her and murmur an apology, but she very quickly hugs me back. "It's so good to see you too, Ari. It's been lonely without you!"

My heart sinks to hear that my friend has been lonely but there's not much time to dwell on it as Luca comes over to say hello, obliging me to give her up so he can give Daphne his own hug. I step away, taking a moment to wave to the other three in the room, who all wave back. Jackson, I know, will be here soon - he's meeting with Hank tonight, with whom he's apparently making some exciting progress regarding the Community. I make a mental note to ask him about it tonight in the dream state.

"All right, Shrimp," Luca says the moment he finishes greeting Daphne and lets her go. "Give 'em back."

"What?" Daphne asks, looking between the two of us in confusion.

I grimace a little, and then hold out the little card of needles that I slipped out of her pocket during our hug. “Sorry,” I say, giving a shrug. "I was never going to keep them - homework and all."

"Ariel!" she gasps, laughing as she snatches them out of my hand. "How did you do that!?"

"She's getting good, isn't she?" Rafe

says, smiling at all of us from his place in his armchair.

Simultaneously, the dumbwaiter bell rings and Jesse pats me on the back in greeting as he moves over to it to grab our dinner. We've arranged for them to come a little later now that I have lessons with Blaze

something which I know makes him a little grumpy, even if he is a good sport about it and hasn't said anything.

"You're getting too good, sneaky cat," Daphne murmurs, giving me a little glare as she tucks the needles back into her pocket. Then, laughing, she sinks back down on the couch next to Ben. "What else are you learning?"

"Oh, you know, all sorts of useful things," I sigh, sitting down on the floor, where Luca settles next to me. I tick my lessons off on my hand. "How to kill people with a big shiny gun, how to kill people with a variety of wild mushrooms, how to kitt people by stealing their prized possessions and leaving them so desolate that they no longer have the will to live. You know," I shrug, "girl stuff."

Daphne laughs and leans against the arm of the couch, beaming at me, as Jesse comes back with the big tray of all of our dinners and places it on the coffee table. Ben springs up, helping him take the lid off and sort out the plates.

 

Chapter 0520

"This is all very exciting, Ari," Daphne says. "I'm happy for you."

"Yeah well, don't go thinking it's too exciting," I sigh, reaching for my bookbag and hauling it closer to me, starting to take out my books. "I hope you won't mind that tonight will be a little boring, Daphne, I have a great deal of homework to do. And I know I'm not alone in that." When I look around the room for confirmation, all of the boys nod, looking a bit drawn.

Secretly, quietly, I wish that they all had my secret weapon of Jackson's energy supply, a bit of which he passes to me every morning after our run. Honestly, it's the only thing keeping me going - I don't know how the rest of them are doing it.

"Oh, I don't mind," Daphne says, bending down and picking up a little basket full of fabric and thread tucked by the side of the couch that I didn't see before. "I brought my own homework. Academy really keeps us on our toes, doesn't it?"

I nod my agreement as Jesse hands me my plate - some sort of mystery meat sandwiches tonight, I can't really tell what - but before I can reply to Daphne more completely the door opens and my wolf gives a series of yips, pouncing around in my soul, when Jackson slips into the room.

He looks at me instantly, sensing my wolf's reaction, his own working hard to play it cool but completely failing as a possessive growl slips from between his teeth. Jackson likewise works hard not to burst into a wild grin, just pushing the door shut behind him and waving to everyone in the

room.

"Hey, Jacks!" Jesse calls, amongst other greetings from everyone else in the room as he holds out a plate. "Come and get it while it's hot."

"What is it?" Jackson asks, a little suspicious as he moves closer to Jesse, taking the plate and raising it to eye-level so that he can inspect the sandwich.

"It's Sloppy Joes," Ben says, a little baffled, looking around at us. Luca and Daphne nod eagerly, digging in and apparently relishing the taste.

I look down at mine, grimacing a little at the way the meat slops out the side of the bun, wondering if it can actually be as good as their eager eating implies.

"Wait," Ben says, laughing a little and

looking around at us as Jackson settles down on the floor on my

other side. "Don't tell me that the et

Foundling and the Royals have this in common and only us

working-class folks know what Sloppy Joes are." Content belongs

"Hey, our mothers - " Jesse begins, lifting up his sandwich experimentally.

"Oh, don't give me your my-mother-was-an-orphan line,” Ben says, waving a hand at Jesse. "She's a duchess, a doctor, and a sorceress now. Just... try it. You'll love it."

We each dig in and I can feel

I.n

Jackson's pleasure down the bond when he, like me, realizes that Ben was right that it's as delicious as prescribed. We fall into a happy rhythm then, each of us scarfing down our tasty meal before picking up our homework, chatting idly until one by one we fall quiet,

concentrating our studies and our sewing.

I'm really falling into my chemistry homework when suddenly next to me Luca's book drops to the floor, turn in surprise to see him staring at it, his jaw clenched, looking like he wishes he could light it on fire with his mind.

"Luca," I say quietly, reaching out a hand and putting it on his knee. "What's wrong?"