Ch. 841..845: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 841-845

Chapter 0841"Oh, just be quiet and let me concentrate."

Jesse does as he's bid, only grumbling a little. Because they've been here for hours, and while the blob at the center has shifted a couple of times, there's no way to really know if it's people or...something else. Either way, it seems thoroughly encaged, so Jesse is not precisely sure why it matters.

Midnight, however, refuses to vanish them back to the yurt and have done with it.

"Let's just go closer," Jesse mutters.

"No!" Midnight hisses. "We must stay unseen. Darkness doesn't want anyone to know about me. I'm his super spy." The last bit is preening.

"Then just call him up and tell him what you've found," Jesse sighs. "Or, better yet, never talk to him again and zip us back to Moon Valley."

"You're being a brat, Jesse,” Midnight snaps. "You begged to come along and now you won't even let me do my job.”

"It's not a job," he snaps back, lifting his head to glare at her. "You're paid in what, one yurt he got you twelve years ago and a lifetime supply of dark cabbage?"

She glares at him and then turns her eyes back to the cage. When she gasps, Jesse sits up, turning back to the problem at hand. "Look," Midnight whispers, pointing. "It's moving."

Jesse realizes that it's true, narrowing his eyes, trying to see, frustrated at the distance that Midnight made them keep for the sake of anonymity. After all, he's very curious why there are these cages in the Land of Darkness that correlate, according to Midnight's report, very closely with the location of the Atalaxian castle.

As Jesse and Midnight watch, the colors at the center of the cage shift and then separate. His eyes widen as it becomes very, very clear that one truly is a figure. And that it's passing through the bars of the cage. "How is it doing that," Jesse murmurs, leaning closer as if that's going to help.

"Did you see the other one?" Midnight whispers, sounding anxious. "It disappeared."

Jesse snaps his eyes back to the color

bet

he within the cage and nods when

he sees that there's only white

deft.

"Shit he whispers. “What...who is it?

"I don't know," Midnight says, definite. "But we have to tell Darkness –“

Jesse's hand snaps out and grabs her wrist, making her eyes fly wide. "No, don't tell him."

"Why not!?"

"Because!" Jesse says, searching his

mind for a good reason, even

thought he truth is that he just

ld help

doesn't want Darkness to have any information – at all that him with anything.

"Darkness...wouldn't want ave

incomplete report! You have to wait until you know more about who that is, coming towards us."

Midnight gasps, turning towards the figure who is now outside of the cages - and moving incredibly fast. "Is he...coming towards us?"

Jesse frowns, not answering, because...

God, but there's something familiar about the way that person moves...

"Jesse?" Midnight says, reaching for him, curling her fingers around his arm. "Is

he coming for us? Do you...do you think he knows we're here?"

But Jesse doesn't answer, instead scrambling to his feet. "Jacks!" he shouts, beginning to sprint down the hill, waving his arms, desperate for his friend to see. Because it all snapped together in an instant the

né

he

size and speed of the figure as indeed came closer to them, though not with any real intent in the way that Midnight is thinking. But he's sure - there's only one person that big who can move that fast.

"Jesse!" Midnight shrieks, true fear in her voice as Jesse continues to scramble down the hill.

Jesse ignores her, shouting Jackson's name again as the figure goes still and then turns towards him.

 

Chapter 0842Midnight, snarling, suddenly appears before Jesse in his path. "You stop," she growls, a hand held out towards him. "You stop right now -"

Jesse just gives her a look like she's insane and dodges around her, picking up speed as Jackson calls out his name and starts to run for him in turn. Laughing, Jesse pounds towards his friend. Both of them move swiftly until Jesse can pick out Jackson's features, see his shocked and smiling face. Jesse grins, thrilled -

When suddenly a huge wolf appears between them, hair shaggy and black, eyes bright and red as a ruby. She bares her snarling teeth at Jackson and slowly starts to prowl towards him, a warning in every step.

Jackson's smile is wiped form his face as he looks at the wolf in shock for half a second and then steps towards it, his own teeth bared in challenge.

"Midnight, don't!" Jesse gasps, dashing forward and grabbing at the ruff of fur rising on her hackles just as Jackson shifts into his own wolf, which is somehow even bigger and more terrifying than Midnight's.

"Fuck!" Jesse bites out, hauling hard at Midnight's fur and making her skitter a step back as Jackson advances. Before Jacks can do more than snap his fangs at Midnight, though, Jesse is between them, holding a palm out to each. "Stop! Stop it, both of you!"

Midnight and Jackson pause, both staring at him.

"Jacks!" Jesse barks out, turning to glare at his friend. "She's my fucking mate, okay!? She's just freaked out! If you shift back, she'll get the picture that no one's going to fight anyone and we're all just going to be cool!" He whips his head back to the terrifying she-wolf on his right. "Right, Midnight!?"

Midnight just snarls. Jesse rolls his eyes and looks back at Jackson just as his cousin's mate shifts back to his human form, staring between Jesse and the dark

wolf.

"That's your mate?" he asks, pointing one finger at the wolf.

"Oh!"

Jesse spins at the sound of the girlish voice, turning to see that she has indeed shifted back into her human form. He looks down at his tiny, adorable, weird, ragged mate, standing with her hands on her hips. Jesse blinks at her, kind of.in disbelief that a girl who looks so innocent can be that terrifying in her wolf form.

"Oh!" Midnight says again, laughing a little. "I'm sorry I know you! You're the big boy! Your Ariel's mate!" She waves hello. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"You didn't...scare me..." Jackson murmurs, frowning at her. "I scared you." "No, I scared you," Midnight sighs, beaming at Jacks. "It's nice to meet me!" Jackson just shifts his eyes back to Jesse. "What... is happening?"

"It's...a long story, man," Jesse says, striding forward with a grin and patting him on his shoulder. "Good to see you, though! Man, you got really skinny. What happened?"

Jackson just continues to stare at Jesse for a moment before he shakes himself and gathers the Duke into a big hug. Jesse laughs and hugs his best friend right back.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Jackson murmurs, tucking his head next to Jesse's. "Ariel is going to be too."

"Wait," Jesse says, pulling back and frowning at the taller Alpha. "Where is Ariel, if she's not with you?"

"Oh, man,” Jackson says, exhaling slowly and running a hand through his hair. "We've got a lot to catch you up on, kid."

"Wait till you hear what I have to tell

you," Jesse says, grinning at his

friend before launching into a story

about a Princess and a sparkly blue ghost that makes Jackson'sgaw drop. en

 

Chapter 0843

I land back in my bed happier than I've ever been in Atalaxia. Because I have a plan now, and my big sweet mate waiting for me on the other side. Yes, by this time tomorrow hopefully we'll all be out of this and I'll be on my way home.

Humming, I hope out of bed and move into the bathroom to take a shower, eager to get the smell of Jackson off of me and hide all my clothes deep in the hamper so that no one knows where I've been all night.

When Pippa comes in about an hour later with my breakfast tray, I wave merrily to her. She stops a bit in her tracks and I scold myself, remembering that I have to

be Ariel of last night, who was confused and hopeless and scared.

"Did you sleep?" Pippa asks, pushing the door shut as I move to the little breakfast table by the door.

I shrug, implying that I did not. Which is true! "I'm okay. How are you?" I look at her as she pours my coffee, truly worried when I note the exhaustion of her features, the worried lines of her face.

"It's hard, Ariel," Pippa says on a heavy sigh. "Elias and I...don't know what to do."

We spend the morning together, then, with Pippa spilling out her heart and her worries to me. I do my very best to pay attention, to listen as intently as Jackson does to me, but the whole time I have to admit that my mind is whirring on my plan. How am I going to get clothing suitable for a journey home? My period should end today – thank god - but do I need to pack any supplies? In what will I pack them?

-

"Well, I should get back," Pippa sighs a little later, standing and smoothing her hands down over her dress as she glances towards the door. I grimace inwardly at myself, feeling incredibly guilty for not truly listening and being a good friend. "Is there anything that you need today?"

"Um..." I say, biting my lip. "Do you think you could...send Gabriel to me? At some point this afternoon?"

She snaps her head back to me. "Whatever for?"

I shrug. "He's my mate. We should...talk."

"Ariel..." Pippa breathes, leaning forward and shaking her head at me. "I do...I do not think that is a good plan. Alone? With Gabriel? Anything could happen."

"Please, Pippa," I whisper. "Just...trust me. This is something I have to do."

Pippa groans a little and looks at me with that same mix of hesitance and wonder that Jackson gives me when he suspects that I might be mildly insane. “Are you sure?"

"Yes," I say, giving a steady nod. "Sometime this afternoon, perhaps?"

She heaves a heavy sigh and shakes her head. "Alright. But Elias and I will be right in our room if you need us during that meeting, okay?" She points towards the bell pull in the corner of the room, reminding me that one tug will send them running for me.

And I smile back at her, thinking that I'm very well aware of that.

In fact, that I'm depending on it.

"Hello, mate."

Gabriel's voice is low and curious as he comes into my room a few hours later. He quietly presses the door shut behind him, leaning back against it.

I exhale, slow and steady, and get to my feet, dipping my hands into the

convenient pockets of the pinafore apron that I'm wearing over my simple blue dress. "Hello, Gabriel."

Gabriel smirks as he crosses the room to me. "Why are you dressed like a servant?"

I look down at myself and shrug. "It's practical. And more comfortable than those

stupid princess corsets you make me wear."

A finger curled beneath my chin obliges me to raise my face to his again. "You look beautiful in those corsets, Not that you don't look nice in this as well. yes," he says, letting his eyes drift down over me. "+find that ...like you subservient. And calling me to your room.

I drop my eyes and let my lashes drift down, playing my role even as my mind spins. It's late - later than I'd hoped it would be, closer to night than afternoon. Shit. Is Jackson going to be worried about me

wondering why I'm not calling to him

tocontinue our plan?

"I find," I say quietly, even as my mind continues to panic a bit. "That I'm...readier

now, than I was before, to take a more subservient role."

"And what has convinced you of that, Princess?" Gabriel asks, his tone suspicious.

I raise my eyes again to him and then wave my hand at the breakfast table, at which I've prepared some wine and a snack of some cured meats and cheese. "Shall we have a nice conversation? Maybe come to an understanding?"

Chapter 0844

He smirks at me. "And why on earth would I agree to negotiate with you? I have you completely under my thumb."

I straighten my shoulders a little, pretending that it takes a bit of courage to do so. "You wish me docile, don't you, Gabriel? I can continue to make this hard or..." I shrug. "It could be pleasant."

Gabriel smirks at me like a man indulging a child and then moves to the table, lounging in his chair. Inwardly I roll my eyes at this smug prince who thinks he is completely in charge. I sit as well and take one of the wine glasses, lifting it towards him. "To your health, Prince."

He smirks at me. "I don't drink from glasses I haven't prepared for myself. Or haven't you heard that there is someone on the loose, killing Princes?"

I stare at him a little for a moment, letting him wonder at my motives, and then I shrug and take a sip of the wine. "The death of the Crown Prince seems to be in your favor, Alpha. And it puts me in a much more interesting position."

"Oh, really?" he asks, a bit dry. "How so?"

"You think you know me," I snap, putting my wine back down on the table, pretending an anger I don't feel. "But have you not considered that I have also long been second in line to the throne? And that I, too, might have wanted it for myself?"

Gabriel raises his eyebrow at me. "What are you saying, Princess?"

"I'm saying that I want this war done," I snap, slapping my hand on the table and pretending to be the foolish girl he expects me to be, playing at negotiation with a prince. "And if you were to become King, and to end it the war..." I shrug. "I might enjoy being Queen of a peaceful nation. Even if it were Atalaxia."

He raises his eyebrow at me. "So that's your offer? Become King, end the war, and you'll rule peacefully at my side? Or, not precisely at my side." He smirks. "At my foot, perhaps."

I raise my chin. "I can live with that. And I'll give you children. Beautiful ones." I smirk a little too. "Powerful ones."

Gabriel leans across the table towards me, studying my face. "Our children will rule the world, Ariel, if you would just trust me to guide your life. To guide theirs as well."

My breath hitches and I pretend it's temptation, letting my eyes move across his face, down to his lips.

"Come," he says, standing and reaching a hand out for me. "It's a deal. We'll seal it with a kiss."

I pretend to hesitate and then stand, looking up into his face. "You won't hurt me?"

"Oh, I didn't promise that," he murmurs, slipping an arm around my waist and pulling me tight against him. "But I won't hurt you...much. And you will learn to like the pain."

He lowers his face towards me but I lean away, turning my face aside. "Please," beg, pressing my eyes shut, my right hand dipping again into the pocket of my apron. "I am not used to such a willfub Alpha..."

"Oh, and you expect me to believe that," he says, low and sardonic, his left hand raising to brush at Luca's mark on my neck. "With such a passionate, messy mark as this."

I turn my head to look up at him with

big doe eyes My other mates are weak-willed. They follow my own

lead, do as I say," I whisper. In myet

soul, my wolf creeps close to the abyss between my soul and

Gabriel's – the place where the bond would be. She taps her feet, anxious and curious, urging Gabriel's wolf to appear.

"Nothing like me?" Gabriel asks, smug, a growl forming in his throat as his wolf appears at the edge of his soul, ready to pounce on mine the moment I accept the bond.

"Nothing..." I whisper, truth in every word as I raise my trembling hand towards his face. "Nothing like you."

My wolf holds out her nose to

Gabriel's dark wolf, trembling a little

at the sight of him. Then, as we planned, she lays down, laying herself flat, submitting. Eager, Gabriel's wolf pounces and snarls at the edge of Gabriel's soul, frenzied with want of her.

I lift my hand as if in awe and slowly brush my fingertips over Gabriel's lush lower

lip, my eyes moving to it as well.

"Are you hungry for me, Gabriel?" I whisper, my heart pounding, my breath coming short.

"I am, little mate," he snarls. "Submit to me. Accept the bond."

And then, as I hoped he would, Gabriel licks that lower lip just once in preparation

to kiss me.

But then he flinches back, surprised at the slightly bitter taste on his lower lip.

And I smile.

Because cyanide works fast.

Chapter 0845

Gabriel's breath hitches and he stands straight as I roughly push myself away from him, taking a step back, wiping my cyanide-coated fingertips against the fabric of the apron. "Thanks for providing me a room with so many beauty supplies,” I say, quite casual, as his breath starts to come short. "The petroleum jelly is very useful for chapped lips and..." I wave my fingertips at him. "Keeping poisons from entering through the skin."

"You bitch," he rasps, stumbling back, oxygen already starting to fail him. "Have - have you killed me?"

"Not yet,” I sigh, crossing my arms over my chest as I watch him fall to the floor. "I just gave you a little bit of cyanide. Because I still have questions. Bye bye for now!" I wave to him as his eyes flutter shut and he begins to moan in pain and confusion, a hand going to his chest, where he's likely started having heart palpitations.

I watch him for a moment, considering my dosage and the effects, monitoring him closely. But when I'm pretty sure that I've gotten it right and that he's in no physical state to grab and hurt me, I stride forward and sort through his pockets until I find the talisman there. I study it - just a little rectangular rock very similar to the one Jackson showed me last night, though black instead of grey. I sigh, putting the talisman in my pocket, taking my nearly unconscious mate's hand and smiling down at him.

"Let's take a little trip to Darkness," I say quietly. "Don't worry, I've got a little nest all set up for you there."

I pull on my inner power and tilt us both away to the cage. Gabriel moans, his eyes fluttering as he works hard to hold on to consciousness.

"It's okay, baby," I coo, patting his hand. "Let it go. I'll take care of you."

He snarls and I grin, but otherwise ignore him, sitting next to him and keeping his hand in mine.

Before I do anything else I shut my eyes and shout in my mind for Jacks, the signal we arranged earlier, urging him to come back. There's no immediate response but I don't worry about that, instead focusing on the man laying in front of me.

I shift my focus inward to my wolf. Is his wolf down? I ask, eager and interested.

Yes, she replies, prowling back and forth at the edge of my soul, peering to where his wolf is laying in a puddle of that oily substance, gasping for air, just his snout

holding above that dark liquid

Pity

fills me as I look at that poor abused wolf, but I force myself to turn away, knowing that pity isn't going to get me anywhere right now.

Is he faking it? I ask, anxious, not wanting to take any risks on this point.

I don't think so, my wolf murmurs in reply, still peering at him. I think...I think he's

taken down by the poison too. He was very weak to begin with.

I nod once and then stand, shaking my head at the prince for a moment. "Okay, say to him, even though i doubt he can hear. "I'll be back...in a little bit."

And then again I vanish away to my room and stride for the bell pull that connects

to Pippa and Elias's room, giving it a strong tug.

A heartbeat after I pull the bell a worried knock sounds at my door.

"Well, that is...way too fast," I murmur, frowning.

I hesitate only a second before the knock comes again, alongside a shouted "Ariel!"

I gasp and dash for the door, yanking it open and grabbing Ben, pulling him inside.

"How the hell did you get here!?" I gasp, staring at him with wide eyes as I slam the door shut.

"Ariel," he says, staring back at me,

just as appalled. "The castle

is...complete chaos. Half of our

guards have been diverted to

searching for this mystery murderer - I spent the entire night sneaking

out of my room and trying

bribe

people to find out which room was yours -"