Ch. 571..575: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 571-575

Chapter 0571

"Nope," Tony says instantly, staring at her warily, holding his hands up as if to protest his innocence. "I'm...good."

The Goddess laughs then, the sound somewhere between the tinkling of bells and the soft shush of ocean waves. "My boy likes a mystery, then." "Your boy?" Tony asks, shocked. "But I thought you said my magic -"

But the Goddess just laughs again, wrinkling her nose at him like she thinks he's cute, and begins to fade.

And quite suddenly, as if she was never here...

The Goddess is gone.

Silence rings between us for a long, long moment, each of us processing our wonder and our fear, all of the information we got that will, I'm sure, be keeping us each up at night wondering how to deal with this.

"Well, that was sufficiently stressful," Tony murmurs, crossing his arms and staring down at his desk as he tries to make sense out of the Goddess's cryptic words.

"What happened?" mom whispers, turning towards Cora even as she moves to Rafe, who hasn't looked up from his own desk. Mom wraps her arms around Rafe's shoulders and he rests his head against her, eyes shut. "What did she say?"

Jesse and Cora move to mom and Rafe, filling her in, while I turn to Jacks.

But he's already there at the side of my desk, reaching for me. A desperate little groan breaks from me as I reach for him, wanting him close. I stand so I can wrap my arms around his neck. Jackson instantly takes my meaning, lifting me up off the floor so that I'm pressed against his chest, one arm solid under my ass as the other wraps me up tight.

I rest my head down against the soft space between his neck and his shoulder, my face turned in towards him.

"Are you okay?" he whispers, anxious. I can feel his heart pounding against me and I press my right hand to his chest, willing it to slow, to rest.

"I'm okay," I whisper back, assuring him. "I just...it was so much at once, wasn't it?"

"What happened?" he asks, even as I feel him start to relax down the bond now that I've assured him I'm okay. "Why were you...why did your chair fall down?"

"Goddess stopped time," I murmur, suddenly exhausted. "We had a...private chat."

"What!?" he breathes, shocked. I lift my head to look into his eyes.

"Wait, what?" I hear behind me, and I turn my head to see my family looking at me, apparently having heard my words.

"Eavesdroppers," I mutter, giving them a glare.

"Secret-keeper,” Jesse returns, putting his hands on his hips. "Why did you get a secret conference!?"

"Because I'm the favorite," I sigh, putting my head back down on Jackson's shoulder even as I grin at Jesse. "And the prettiest. She told me so." Jesse scoffs. "I am clearly the prettiest -"

"You're the only guy she didn't call handsome," Tony quips, and as Jesse goes pale at the realization that he's right, Jackson turns so that we can both see Tony standing by the desk at the front of the room, his bag over his shoulder. "Is it okay to callan end to class now?" he asks, clearly unsettled, looking around at all of us. "I mean, it was for sure the most informative class we've ever had but..." he shrugs, "a lot to process."

"Of course, Tony," Cora says, her eyes crinkling as she nods to him. "We'll see you next week - and don't hesitate to get in touch in the meantime." "You got it," Tony murmurs, giving a little salute and heading for the door.

"Tony!" Jesse calls after him, and

Tony turns. "Come to our room tomorrow, after the Games. We're going to have a little unwinding celebration and we'll want to see you there."

Tony smirks, his eyes crinkling, I think pleased at the invitation. "All right," he says, giving a nod. "I'll see you then."

"Good," Rafe says, the word a little squeaky. He clears his throat, I think remembering his manners. "We'll be glad to have you."

Tony nods again and I wave to him, glad Jesse remembered to invite him. Tony - he really is a part of the group now, at least as far as I'm concerned.

"All right,” Cora says, glancing at mom. "We should get into some of the details of this before we head back to the Capital -"

"Actually," I say on a sigh, lifting my head and looking at my mom, who turns towards me. “Do you think...we could have a minute? Just...me and you?" Jackson's arm tightens around me in silent request and I grin, glancing towards him. And Jacks?"

My mom nods once to me, a smile forming on her own lips as she gives Rafe another squeeze. "Sure, trouble. What's up?"

 

Chapter 0572

Jesse gives me a little glare, clearly wanting to be in on the mini conference, but I just grin at him and flick my fingers towards the door, telling him to go away. Cora laughs and gathers up my brother and my cousin, escorting them out of the room and shutting the door behind her so that mom, me, and Jacks are quite suddenly alone.

Jackson sighs, letting me slip down to the floor, even though I can tell he doesn't want to.

Mom keeps her eyes on the door until it snicks shut and then whips her head back to the two of us. "Did Rafe and Daphne break up? What's going on there?"

"Mom, I called this private conference to talk about me," I say, pressing my fingers delicately to my heart. "Not your precious meatball."

"But he is a precious little meatball!" mom says, gathering her fists tight below her chin and looking at me with shining eyes. "Just a sad, precious little heartbroken meatball!"

I laugh, shaking my head at her but heaving a little sigh. And then as mom slips into Rafe's desk chair and I take my seat again, Jackson pulling his chair over to sit between us, I quickly fill my mom in on Rafe's romantic drama. And even though I can tell she has a thousand questions, I smile my gratitude when mom tucks them all away and leans towards me.

"Okay. Thanks for telling me that - but I'm sure he'll be okay. But what's up with you, baby? Are you all right?" She leans forward, putting a warm hand on my knee, her eyes bright and loving and defensive, like she's ready to call the Goddess back and give her a piece of her mind if she's truly upset me.

My lip starts to tremble at the concern in her voice, the way she so clearly offers to take my troubles from me and solve all my problems.

“Can you stay, mom?" I croak, suddenly wanting her near very, very much. So, so much has changed so fast and I just...want my mom. "Just for like, one more night?"

A sudden rush of worry and love comes flooding down my bond with Jackson as he sees how upset I am, but I'm still looking at mom even as he reaches out a hand and places it warm on my back.

"Oh, sweetie," mom whispers, her heart breaking as she slowly shakes her head.

I sit up straighter, squaring my shoulders, hating that answer but knowing that she'd only deny me this if she had a good reason for it.

"I have to go home," mom whispers,

scootching closer and taking my

face again between her hands. "To....to Markie, and June. And your dad," she shakes her head. "They" need me and..." she bites her lip, "with what you said? About the Dark God having...interest, in our Junepiper?"

I sigh, hanging my head for a moment and then nodding.

"You'll be fine here, love," my mom says, petting me softly, my hair and my cheeks. "You've got Jackson,

et

who is much better at protecting than me and just as nice." I glance over at my mate to see him flushing

a bit at the compliment, bushing

he

moves his eyes to mine, giving me a little nod that lets me know that I'm his full priority in my mother's absence.

But still, it's not enough, is it?

"I won't be all right, though," I say with a sudden desperation, remembering that new dark thing that curls within me. And then, dropping my head, I start to cry again when I realize that I had a chance to ask the Goddess about it - and, like an idiot, I didn't.

"Oh, little baby," mom murmurs, slipping out of her chair and moving to mine, budging me half off so she can sit next to me and wrap one arm tight around my back, the other moving to cup my face. "Tell me," she whispers, looking seriously into my eyes. "Tell me everything."

I spill it all out of me, the story of what happened with the God of Darkness kissed me. Of some darkness turning slowly inside me and then opening one eye, awake and fresh and hungry and eager to do... Something, though I have no idea what. Down the bond can feel Jackson's growing horrobas I speak, though I'm surprised to see that mom simply...nods.

And doesn't look surprised at all.

"Oh, baby," mom whispers, shaking her head at me when I fall silent, finally out of words. "For what it's worth, I...don't think it's all bad."

 

Chapter 0573

Jackson and I stare at mom in shock and she sighs.

"I guess it's time," she murmurs, petting my face softly, "to fill you in on a little thing that happened the day you were born." And then my mother tells me a story that makes my jaw fall open in shock - of how the God of Darkness apparently pulled her aside into another realm and gave to me...this thing that I've been holding, apparently, since the day I was born.

"But he assures me it was a gift," mom says, a little desperate.

“And you...believe him?" I ask, horrified.

"Baby," mom says, stroking her hands again over my hair. "It's...you kind of had to be there - he insisted it was a blessing and not a curse. Plus, it passed through me to get to you - you weren't born yet, and I felt it. It's not that Gods can't lie, my love, it's just that...why would they bother? Whatever he gave you..." she bites her lip and gives a helpless shrug. "I'm sorry, darling. I know that it's new and it's frightening but..." she sighs and places her hands again on my cheeks, letting her healing magic sweep through me. "I've been scanning you for this ever since you were a little girl, and sweetheart...there is no true darkness in you. My love," she looks at me quite seriously. "Whatever this is...I don't think that it's bad. I think that it's yours."

I look down at myself, trying to see through myself to this new...gift, whatever it is. This thing I absolutely do not understand. "But if he gave me a gift, why was he such a jerk all semester?" I murmur, shaking my head.

Mom laughs and I look up to see her shaking her own. "We can't understand these Gods' emotions, sugar. Plus...I get the impression that he is deeply bitter that your grandmother left him. It's complicated."

“Oh, gross,” I say, my shoulders falling as I realize something. "Oh, gross, mom - grandma's ex husband kissed me to wake this thing up —“ Mom bursts out laughing, rocking back with it.

"Gross," I continue, sticking out my tongue and looking over at Jacks, "my sort-of Grandpa...and it was not like, a chaste little kiss..." Jackson's eyes narrow, a growl rumbling in his chest at the idea.

And something about this - Jackson jealous of a God, ready to rip him to shreds for kissing me, brings a small smile to my face.

"Just try not to think about it too much, kiddo," mom says, wrapping me up in a hug and pressing a kiss to my hair.

"Done and done," I mutter, putting the thought from my mind with a shudder. Mom stands up, smoothing her hands down over her shirt and looking towards the door when a hesitant knock comes at the door.

"I am so sorry," Cora says, slipping the door open and looking between the three of us. "But Ella...they've told me that they want us to leave now. That if we don't, we'll have to wait until morning."

My mom turns back to Jackson and I, looking between us, biting her lip as if she's seriously considering it - and I see in that instant that she will stay, for me, if I ask her now.

"Go, mama," I say quietly, standing and doing my best to paste a smile on my face as I give her shoulder a little shove. "Go back to dad and protect my Junie. I like her now, after all."

Mom grins and then wraps her arms around me. "love you so much, little baby trouble,” she whispers, holding me tight. And take care of your brother he puts up a big front like your dad but...there's a big meatball heart under all that stoicism and

muscle. He needs love too."

I whisper my promise that I will and mom moves on to Jackson, who bends low to pull mom into a tight hug. "Well see you soon?" he asks.

"Yes, sweet boy," she says, pulling back and patting him on the cheek, giving him a beautiful smile. “Take care of my girlie."

et

"With my life," he says, dipping into a little bow that has absolutely no irony as mom steps away to the door. I move quickly to Jackson's side, watching mom and Cora go, blowing us kisses as they do

And then it's just me and Jacks, all alone.

swno

Chapter 0574

 

I turn towards Jackson in the quiet of the magic classroom, wrapping my arms around his waist, leaning my head against his chest, exhausted and spent and desperately shaken by everything that happened.

We stand there, quite quiet, for a long time with Jackson quietly stroking my hair, resting his cheek on the top of my head. "I love you so much, Ariel," he murmurs. "I'm sorry this was so stressful for you."

I sigh, knowing that it's more stressful than he realizes but...also knowing that I have to give our situation some deep thought before I go spilling out the details to one mate and not the other. So I put it aside for the moment, making a solemn promise to myself to think it through tonight before I fall asleep.

"Stressful for you too, puppy," I murmur into his chest. "You got your own set of weird news."

"Nothing I can't handle," he says, sighing and lifting his head. I peer up at him, loving him quite desperately, not even allowing myself to consider what it would be like if the Goddess took him away. Because it's not happening - not ever. "What do you what to do?" he asks.

"Hmm?" I turn my head to the side.

"You're a little late for your lesson with Blaze," he says quietly, glancing up at the clock. "But if you'd rather just go lay in bed and relax, I'm sure he'd let you off -"

“No,” I say, straightening up and turning to look at the clock with a frown. "No, I want to go to that. Will you walk me?"

"Of course," Jackson says, leaning down and taking my chin in his hands, tilting it up so that he can press a warm, lingering kiss to my mouth. "I'll walk you anywhere you want to go, little fire sprite."

I grin up at my mate, love swelling in my chest. And then I slip my hand into his, wanting his touch no matter the fact that we're risking my secret. And Jacks – he doesn't let my hand go as we slip out of the room, heading down a set of stairs towards the gyms.

When Jackson and I turn the corner into the hallway where the smaller gyms are located, Luca pushes himself up from his place by the door, his eyes instantly scanning over me.

"What happened?" he asks, moving closer to us, reaching for me. "You're never late like this - what happened?"

I give Jackson's hand a squeeze before I drop it, moving to Luca and wrapping my arms around his waist, letting him fold me in close to him for a second, drop his head to my hair and give me a sniff, checking to make sure I'm okay. I feel ease come to him the moment he

touches me as he exhales a long

breath.

“We just had a really...complicated magic class," I say, pushing back from him a little and stepping between my mates as Luca's arms fall to his side. "I'll fill you in afterwards."

Luca gives me a nod and then looks

into Jackson's eyes. Something passes between them then and I work hard against my smile as Luca turns his head to the side, silently asking Jackson if there's anything else he needs to know, and Jackson gives him a shrug, letting him know that that's pretty much it.

I bite my lip, looking between them, kind of...regretting the fact that the news I have to give both of them - at some point is going to ruin this little stalemate that they've come to. Because even if Jackson and Luca are some variety of friends now....I think they're able to maintain that because they both think that at some point I'm going to make a choice between them.

And in their hearts, I think that they both think that it's going to be them - which makes sense, because I know that there's no part of me that can even begin to think of rejecting either.

But now that the Goddess has demanded that I receive both of their marks? And that if I don't, she'll reject the bonds herself and assign me new mates?

God it's...it's going to ruin everything.

Both Luca and Jackson turn their heads to me at the same moment, sensing my dread. "What?" they both say, frowning at me, ignoring their simultaneity.

"Oh, there's no time," I say, flapping my hands at them. "I've got a lesson to get to."

"Ariel, if there's something we need to know..." Luca says, holding a hand out towards me.

"It's not that, Luca, it's not pressing," I say, shaking my head and turning towards the door. "And I need...a minute alone with my thoughts. Please?"

Luca sighs but turns back to Jackson, raising an eyebrow to see if he's all right with this. But Jackson again just shrugs, his stony expression kind of suggesting that he's all right with whatever the hell I'm all right with.

Chapter 0575

Luca just rolls his eyes a little and turns back to me. "All right," he says, clearly frustrated but accepting it. "Let's get in there - I think Blaze has been waiting."

"See you tonight," Jackson murmurs, dipping in and pressing a kiss to my cap before heading off down the hall. I only spare half a second to watch him go – unable to help it - before slipping my hand into Luca's and moving into the gym.

"You are late," Blaze says the moment I step through the door, standing in the center of the room. And somehow, without any proof at all, I know that he's been standing there patiently this entire time.

"I'm sorry," I say, dropping my bag by the door where Luca settles down in his usual spot. "It's -"

"No need," Blaze interrupts, holding up a hand and studying me carefully as I come to the center of the room. "I can see by your face, little bird, that it was not a paltry thing that kept you away."

I sigh, letting my shoulders slump a little as I come to stand before him. But I nod, letting him know his assessment is correct.

"Then let's get to work," Blaze says quietly, leaning closer to me, his eyes kind and wrinkling at the corners. "There is nothing for processing difficult thoughts like movement in the body. Come - we will beat the sadness out of you."

And then to prove his point, he whips his hand up and gives me a fairly hard smack on the arm that makes me stumble to the side even as it makes me laugh.

"Hey!" I say, coming back to the center and grinning at my teacher. "Didn't anyone ever tell you not to hit sad girls?"

"Sad girls don't want to get hit?" he says, quirking his head to the side. "Sad girls need to dodge."

His hand whips up again but I'm ready for it this time, dodging beneath and lashing out with my foot, a sharp kick aimed at his ankle. But Blaze just laughs and sweeps his leg back - and then we're off, moving fast, me trying to land a blow and him issuing commands to make me better.

As the minutes pass I find that my professor was right - that in keeping busy and moving my body, my mind does turn away from the troubling events of this afternoon, giving me much-needed space and respite. Because I can always turn back to them later - but now?

Now I've got to learn to kick some ass, just in case any stupid jerk dark Gods try to kiss me again.

Because trust me - one kiss from my grandma's ex was certainly enough for this lifetime.

By the time my workout with Blaze finishes, I'm sweaty, panting, and in a much better mood.

"There is my little bird," Blaze says, giving me a brilliant smile and wrapping me in a hug. I burst out laughing as he does because I'm totally gross right now but he

doesn't care. "All of your emoti

are brilliant," he says with a happy sigh, rocking me back and forth, "but to see you smile after you have worked hard does my heart good. I am proud of you, swift little thing."

"Thanks, Blaze," I say with a sigh, resting against him and hugging him back, truly meaning it in the depths of my soul.

"You are welcome," he says, pulling away and patting my cheek before turning towards his mysterious door. "See you the day after tomorrow! Now, I am on vacation!"

I wave back to Blaze as Luca comes to the center of the ring, rolling his shoulders. "You know, I'm getting a little jealous of that guy," he says, the corner of his mouth quirking up as he gestures over his shoulder to Blaze's closing door. "He's got all the good lines."

"Oh yeah?" I say, putting my hands on my hips and wrinkling my nose at my mate. "You want to call me your little bird and tell me how brilliant my emotions are?"

"See?" Luca says, his mouth

broadening into a wide grin as he steps into his fighting stance. "That is a line that would work. If

wasn't already so gone on you I'd be

using that at all the clubs."

I burst out laughing, ducking under Luca's raised fists to wrap my arms around his waist and grin up into his face. "Do it and die, Grant," I snarl, jealous already.

He laughs with me, dropping his hands to my back and lacing his fingers together lightly behind me.

"Hey," I say, beaming up at him. "What do you say we play hookie on the rest of this fighting lesson and go do something else instead?"

“Oh yeah?” Luca asks, raising an eyebrow at me. “What do you have in mind?”