Ch. 651..655: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 651-655

Chapter 0651

 

"He's such a cutie," mom says, sighing as Jackson steps out of the classroom and pulls the door shut behind him, her hands clasped together.

"He's well over two hundred pounds of lethal Alpha, Ella,” Cora says, casting out a hand after my mate. “He's capable of killing a man in less than ten seconds and if he shifted into his wolf it'd be even faster than that. I'm not sure 'cutie' is the word you're looking for here."

Mom hums consideringly and then shrugs. "Nope, I'm right. Stone-cold cutie." She beams at her sister, who just laughs. "You always did have a type, Ella," Cora sighs, looking back at me.

"One, ew," I say, pointing a finger at Cora, who laughs even harder now. "Don't even imply that my mate is mom's type -"

Mom just grimaces, guilty, but I ignore her.

"And two, we are getting off topic.❞

My mom and my aunt do their best to school their faces into more serious lines, but they fail instantly, and I just roll my eyes at them.

"We're still so proud of you, sweetie!" Mom says, leaning forward to beam at me. "I can't wait to tell your dad about it - he's going to cry - he's so cute when he cries."

"You're a villain," Cora murmurs, looking over at mom, "I don't know why people think you're so sweet."

"And!" Mom continues, ignoring her, “I think he's going to have a lot of ideas about how this can be used to benefit the military! I think it's a big deal, baby," she says, nodding eagerly now. "How are you feeling about it?"

“Excited,” I say, nodding too and sitting up straighter, "I want to talk to dad about military applications - I mean, I've been having ideas too. And I want to see what else I can do with it. I think -" my wolf nips me, though, and I sit back a little, sighing, realizing that I'm getting off track. "I mean, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about, though."

"What it it, sugar?" Cora says, leaning forward, her face more serious now.

I begin, then, to spill it all out as fast as I can wanting to tell them everything but aware that they're heading back to the Capital tonight. Mom and Cora's faces go paler and paler the more I spill about falling through space in the first Games, about traveling to that dark world and seeing that strange woman there before I traveled mysteriously back. They seem better assured when I tell them about Jackson's

-

hypothesis that this is my gift

from the God of Darkness and that I control it, but as my mom and my aunt look at each other, I can tell they're totally freaked.

"Um?" I say, drawing their eyes back to me. “I'm not finished?" They just stare at me wide-eyed as I tell more about Faiza's assignment to go to Newtown to try out disguises, but then both of their faces fall in sadness when I tell them about Luca and the strange break through we had - about him suppressing his wolf for what I can only assume is most of his life.

"So that's why he was acting strange," Cora murmurs, looking over at the door.

"I don't know," I say on a sigh. "He was normal this morning. I think...him being strange about my magic might be something else."

"Or something interrelated," mom says, keeping her eyes on me.

"Yeah,” I say, my shoulders slumping a bit. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about."

"You fall into a realm of darkness at will," Cora says, slowly raising a brow at me, "and you want to talk about why your boyfriend is acting weird?"

I laugh a little, straightening my shoulders. “Yup!"

"Your daughter, for sure,” Cora murmurs, smiling a little and glancing at mom, who glances back and gives her a little kick.

"Yeah, so,” I say, leaning forward on my desk. "I was wondering if you could send a therapist to the Academy? Or maybe like...a bunch of therapists?" Both of their faces arch into smiles, but they let me continue.

net

"Luca...clearly needs someone to talk to," I say with a sigh, leaning back in my chair, "and I love to be there for him but this is beyond my needs. And Jackson, with his childhood?" I pause a minute, letting them see where I'm going with this. "I mean...I think he's doing well now that he's out of the Community, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to have someone to talk to about it. And the stuff he's doing with Hank I know is very stressful for him, so..."

Chapter 0652

shrug, kind of finished with everything I wanted to say.

"You have a good heart, baby trouble," Cora says, smiling at me. "I think it's a great idea."

"And something we should have been doing all along," mom says, turning to frown at my aunt. "Honestly, why didn't Dominic and Roger think of this twenty years ago?"

"You know the answer to this, Ells," Cora says, utterly dry. "Because they are men. And Alphas. And their therapeutic solution is to just grit their teeth and go punch something."

Mom laughs, shaking her head but not denying it. "I'll talk to your dad about it tonight," mom says, nodding to me eagerly. "And get something set up." "Do you think you could make Jackson and Luca like...initial appointments?" I ask, sitting up, a little excited. "And then they can decide whether or not they want to keep going - obviously, I don't want to force them. And then...maybe not tell them that I suggested it?"

Both Cora and mom laugh at me but then assure me that it can be arranged.

Jackson walks me back to the room after my little conference, not pressing me for the details and instead talking with me excitedly about the magic we produced this afternoon and his own ideas for experimentation and military use - all of which spark a great deal of interest in me, giving me my own new ideas. We're still talking eagerly about it when we climb the final staircase to our floor, though our conversation falls short when we see Rafe standing outside the door, leaning casually against the wall and reading a book.

When he sees us, he snaps the book shut and waves a hand. "Come on, Jacks."

"Where are we going?" Jackson asks, escorting me forward with a hand on my back and looking at Rafe with interest. "Another talk with the Captain," Rafe says, shifting his eyes to me. "See what we can do about Blythe's bullshit claim."

"Cool," Jacks says, giving me a little nudge towards the door, which he looks at with worry. "Will she be..."

"She's got an assassin, a shadow mage, and an ambassador in there," Rafe says with a smirk, pointing his thumb over his shoulder at the door. "She'll be fine."

I laugh at my brother but then the absence of a certain speciality on that list suddenly hits me, and my face falls.

"See you in a bit," Jacks murmurs, dipping down to give me a kiss on the cheek before starting to stride down the hall with my brother. "Don't forget to eat!"

I grin at that that as I call my goodbyes to them and press open the door, pleased to see three of my favorites gathered around the coffee table, digging into the huge plate of tacos on the table.

"They sent churros, too!" Jesse calls, waving me over. "Churros and fire magic. It is a great day."

I laugh, taking my seat next to Ben

on the couch and bumping my shoulder against his as I murmur my hello's to Tony as well, who has taken up residence in Rafe's hair.

But nobody really fails to notice the way I glance over at the door as I reach for my dinner, wondering where he is. "Um, Ari," Jesse says, his voice gentle.

I turn towards him, moving some tacos to a plate and pulling it onto my lap.

Jesse's mouth twists slightly to the side. "He sent a note."

I frown a little as I reach out a hand. Jesse puls a folded piece of paper from beneath his leg where he placed it for safe keeping and hands it over to me.

I take it with a sigh, unfold it, quickly reading through the words.

"What's it say?" Jesse asks, voice gentler than usual.

I flick my eyes up to him. "Oh, like you didn't read it."

"Ben wouldn't let me," he sighs, looking sad about it.

I glance at Ben, who nods deeply to me, making me smile.

But then I sigh and tuck the note under my own leg. "It says he's tired and won't be coming up tonight," I say, trying to keep the sadness and worry out of my voice. "That he didn't sleep a lot last night - which is true - and that he wants to be rested for the Games tomorrow." I shrug like it's easy, like it all makes sense.

Even if my wolf howls in my heart, knowing that it's so much more complicated than that.

I sigh, putting my plate of tacos back on the table, not hungry anymore.

 

Chapter 0653

"Oh nooo," Jesse scolds, making me snap my eyes to him.

"What?" I ask, confused and a little worried. "What's wrong?"

"You're not hungry?" he says, eyes wide, gesturing towards my plate. "You, Ariel Sinclair, eater of fourth servings, are not hungry!?"

"What are you talking about - I eat a normal amount!"

"You're a complete pig!"

“Jesse!” I gasp, scandalized. “I so am not! I —“

"Ariel Cora Sinclair," he snaps, leaning forward to point at me as he narrows his eyes. "I have seen you eat three cheeseburgers in one sitting and double fries -"

"Rafe eats just as much!"

"Rafe is four times your size!"

I balk at my cousin, appalled but...a little unable to deny that it's true. I mean, I have a healthy appetite! What's wrong with that!?

"I think I've been in this friend group long enough to translate Jesse to the rest of the world," Ben says, cutting in helpfully and nodding to Tony. "Oh, please do - I am deeply lost," Tony says, smirking and lounging back in Rafe's chair.

"Yes, very pleased to be of service," Ben says, nodding to him and then turning to me with a sigh. "What Jesse means," Ben says, holding my gaze now, quite gentle, "is that it's not like you to turn down supper. Something's up, and we can tell, and we want to help."

“That's what I said -" Jesse spits out, throwing his hands out in frustration.

"You called me a pig!" I growl, glaring at him.

“Pigs are pink, and cute, and intelligent, and they like to eat," Jesse says, pressing a hand to his chest and starting to grin at me. “I stand by the analogy."

I can't help it - I huff a laugh and shake my head, looking down at my plate of food. But even if they're right, it doesn't make me any more hungry.

"Spill, Princess," Tony says, friendly and gentle. When I look at him I see that he's giving me a soft smile. "Seriously, we want to help. Before we all go into the Games tomorrow and hunt you down and shoot you with paintballs."

I laugh harder at this, but shake my head, leaning back against the cushions. "I can't tell you guys this stuff. You're boys."

"Listen, we are honorary girls," Jesse

says, and I look up to see him

beaming at me. "We love you, none of us want to date you, and we want to help. What's it going to take?" Ben

and Tony look at me with verve

sweet, earnest expressions and I find that I actually do very much want to talk to them that it might help to unburden my little sad heart to my friends.

"Well, you two I can tell,” I say, sighing and looking at Jesse and Ben. “But I can't talk to you about Luca,” I continue, turning a little glare on Tony. "You hate him!"

"I do not hate him," Tony says, pressing a hand to his chest and leaning forward to glare at me.

“Oh really?” I say, crossing my arms and leaning back against the cushions, raising an eyebrow his way. Jesse likewise grimaces, turning to Tony, waiting for a response.

"Really!" Tony says, nodding eagerly. But then he hesitates and sits back in his chair, grimacing a little. "I just...think he's kind of a dick and he deserves bad things and I...want to punch him." I looks away from me, mildly guilty.

"Tony!" I gasp-snatching a pillow

from the couch and hurling it at his face. Satisfyingly, my shot lands precisely where I aimed it, probably because Tony doesn't yet havez Sinclair-level pillow-attack reflexes. "That is so mean! That's my mate!"

"Yeah!" Tony says, laughing a little and pulling the pillow down by his side even as he gives me a sad smile. "And what the hell the Goddess was thinking matching you up with that jackass, I'll never know!"

"Tony!" I shout, leaning forward, starting to get seriously offended.

"He is our friend, Ton," Jesse says, looking over at Tony, letting him know that he's on shaky ground. "You're gonna want to...modulate your language here."

"Seriously, Tony,” I say, shaking my head at him, not getting it. "What is your problem with Luca?"

Tony sighs, holding out a hand

towards me. "Look, Ariel, I just...I

don't think he's a bad person, okay? I

just think that he's...a little

et

manipulative, and needy, and that he..." he grimaces here, "he punishes you emotionally when he doesn't get what he wants. Okay? And don't like that, because you are such an incredibly nice and good person, and I think...you deserve to be treated better than that."

My jaw drops a little as I stare at my friend because...I mean, I had never really thought about it that way. Is Tony right?

Still, my wolf raises her hackles and shows her teeth, her instincts to jump to Luca's defense coming forward.

"Luca wouldn't do that to me," I say, crossing my arms and raising my chin as I give Tony a cool stare.

 

Chapter 0654

 

"Ariel," Tony sighs, shaking his head and leaning back in the arm chair, looking like he hates to be the one to tell me this. "He does do that to you. Like all the time."

"Wait wait," Jesse says, turning more fully towards Tony with a frown. "You've only been getting close to Ariel lately - since this semester started and then in this past week. But you've been cold to Luca since the moment I first saw you guys interact - when we had magic class here in the room after the God of Darkness attacked and you wouldn't let him stay. So...what gives? Have you been like, spying on us?"

"No," Tony says, slumping back in his chair and covering his eyes with his hand for a second. "Look, if you want to know, my ish with Luca is a little... older than I may have suggested so far."

"What?" I breathe, leaning forward, fascinated and a little horrified. I mean, I know Luca's a celebrity, but what is he talking about?

How old is his grudge against Luca?

And who even is Tony, anyway? I wrack my mind but honestly, I don't know anything about his past. Quite suddenly I feel guilty for not asking and also like a very, very bad spy.

"Okay," Tony sighs, looking around at the four of us. “Can I please assume that this is a zone of secrecy in which we do not tell others what was said in our little square of trust?"

"She's definitely going to tell Jackson," Ben says, settling back against the pillows with a pleased smirk, looking like he's enjoying himself.

I glance at Ben but then return my eyes to Tony and give a little shrug, because it's true. I reserve the right to tell Jacks everything.

"Fine fine," Tony says, waving a hand to dismiss it. "Square of trust though? With one adjacent silent boulder of a man who doesn't have anyone else to tell?"

We all nod, agreeing to it.

"Fine," Tony says, his voice deepening and becoming quite mysterious. "Then I'll let you all in on a secret. Although I am now a very handsome, very suave, very dangerous assassin," he says, raising an eyebrow as he looks at each of us in turn, almost daring each of us to counter him on it. I start to grin, unable to help it. "I used to be...a busboy."

I burst out laughing, as do Jesse and Ben. Tony smirks a little, looking around at us.

"Oh come on, Tony, that's not so bad," I say with a sigh, curling up on the couch and prepping myself for a story.

"Nah, it wasn't so bad," he says with

e

a smirk. "I was a city kid - needed money, worked my way up in some bars. But eventually I got a pretty sweet gig - my share of the tips was insane for clearing tables and running drinks and generally letting rich guys treat me like shit. It was at the Excelsior Club."

I go a bit still at this, turning my head to the side staring at my friend.

He keeps his eyes on me. "Name ring a bell?"

Ben and Jesse turn towards me curiously. "Yeah," I whisper. "Luca's mentioned it. One of his favorites."

"Yeah," Tony says, again giving me that sad little smile. "It sure as hell was."

“I've been there a couple times,” Jesse says, frowning over at Tony. "Did I ever see you there?"

"I saw you once or twice," Tony says, turning to Jesse. "I wasn't ever on your table, though. They talked about you and Rafe in the back, though - always good things. Sinclairs are good tippers."

I scowl at my cousin. "I can't believe

you went without me," I grumble. I

turn to Ben and give him a little kick "When we get back to the city me and

and

you are going by ourselv

leaving everyone else out. I want to be the one excluding people for once."

Ben gives me a steady nod and holds palm up. I quickly smack my hand against his, the high-five sealing our deal.

“So am I right in intuiting where this is going?" Jesse asks, dry. "That you had a certain...regular customer?"

"Yup," Tony says, returning his eyes to me. “Luca Grant, every weekend night with a new girl.”

I sigh, shaking my head at Tony, not fully sure that I like where this is going. "Can we get back to the point, please?" I ask, a little perturbed. "You're saying a lot of incendiary things about my mate and not really backing them up yet."

"I know, Ari," Tony says, turning his attention back to me. “Please, eat something it might take a minute to get there. But what I'm trying to say is that I don't just have some random grudge on Luca. I know this

Way more than he thinks I know him."

I sigh, glancing at my plate of tacos. But I have to admit, I'm even less hungry than I was before.

Chapter 0655

 

Jesse grabs another taco off the table, clearly not having as much of a problem with appetite as I am having. "All right, Tones, spill."

Tony sighs, and begins again. "I spent hours in that club cleaning up after Luca, collecting his shitty tips. So, imagine my surprise a few weeks ago when he shows up next to you outside my meeting with your parents and introduces himself for the first time. As if we've never met. Although it's not like I should be surprised – he never said a word to me or spared me a second glance.”

"But you..." I frown, trying to remember that moment when Tony and Luca met. "You didn't say you knew him - you said something about it being a big morning for meeting celebrities. Or something like that. And then said it was nice to meet him."

"Yeah," Tony says with a shrug. "What was I supposed to do, be like, 'Remember me? I served you a thousand gin-and-tonics and watched you use the same lines on about a thousand different girls all summer?' Plus, his mate's parents were in the room behind me," he shrugs. "I wasn't going to pick a fight."

"Just saved that," Jesse says, grinning at him. "For a later time."

"Nah, I don't need to pick a fight with Luca Grant," Tony says, settling back against the chair. "That guy's going to dig his own grave."

I frown at Tony, not fully sure I like where this is going.

Ben glances anxiously at me. "All right, Tony, lets pick up the pace," he murmurs, snapping his fingers a bit. "What are the details Ari needs to know. This isn't...the nicest conversation for her to listen to."

"You're right, I'm sorry," Tony says, glancing at Ben and then looking back at me. "What I'm trying to get at, Ari, is that Luca knows girls. I don't think he's deliberately a jerk, but I think he has a type - and that type is nice, pretty, sensitive girls from good families who have been raised to have empathy and believe the best in people. Those were the ones he was drawn to - the ones he kept bringing around. And then who he ruthlessly manipulated into letting him behave however the hell he wanted, which was never considerate of their wants and needs."

"So imagine his luck," Jesse murmurs, turning his eyes to me. "When the Goddess blesses him with the nicest, most sensitive and empathetic girl in town."

"Guys, you're all going too far," I say,

my lips turning down as I give the three of them each a dirty look. "There's nothing wrong with liking nice girls - and I'm not going to hold his previous dating habits against him What he did before he met me is Luca's business - and he's made a lot of progress as a person since we met!"

"That's all true," Ben says, pursing his lips consideringly. "Luca's past is past."

"But it isn't past, is it?" Tony says, turning to me. "What's all this bullshit he's pulling, Ari? Not coming to dinner tonight when we all know it's not because he's all sleepy. And that thing, in Newtown, with those three girls?"

He turns his head at me and I flush, not liking how right he is. But is that manipulation? Or...is Luca just dealing with his own emotions?

"Wait, what thing in Newtown?" Jesse asks, sitting up straighter. "What happened."

I sigh and turn to my cousin, briefly summarizing the story of Luca getting distracted by three fans while he should have been watching me, waiting to see if I needed him. How Tony stepped in instead, when Luca had his eyes elsewhere.

"Ohhh fuck," Jesse says, quite still on his chair. "Rafe is going to flip - Jackson's going to tear his head off -"

"They are not!" I snarl, leaning forward to glare at my cousin. "Because you are not going to tell them! No one is - square of secrecy!" I dart one finger around in a square that encompasses all of us.

"Is that really how you want it to be, though, Ari?" Ben asks, looking again at me with a bit of sorrow. "That you have to just not tell your brother and your other mate about Luca's actions to keep the peace? Shouldn't Luca just behave better so that you can be transparent?"

“He's trying, all right?" I growl, glaring around at them. “He made a mistake! It could have happened to anyone!"

"No, that's what he wants you to think," Tony snaps in return, looking at me hard again. I gape at him, a little appalled that he's stepping in so hard. Look, Ariel," he says,

net

leaning forward to me, again said, "I'm trying to be mean to you it just kills me to see you continually defending him when he's not being very nice to you in return. Like his job that night in the bar was to keep you safe and he allowed himself to be distracted by those girls."