← The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Ch. 871..875: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 871-875

Chapter 0871

"Plus," Jackson says, putting his hands on his hips and looking down at the ATV with an odd, almost fond expression. "The machine needs to charge. Clever little device, this is doesn't need any power source to regenerate, just time."

My wolf grumbles a little, jealous, because quite frankly we want to be the only clever little thing that Jackson looks at that approvingly. I laugh at myself even as I slowly climb off the machine, knowing that I'm being ridiculous. "Is it safe?" I ask. "To stop here?

I look over my shoulder at the expanse of Atalaxia that we've crossed, though of course I can't see far. The grass stretches for miles in quietly rolling hills. Earlier today we crossed desert wasteland too, but these grassy bits with occasional streams shallow enough for us to ride right through - I like them more.

"Should be safe, Atalaxia is big and they'd have to send out a hell of a lot of troops to find us," Jackson says, helping to steady me and then brushing my hair back over my shoulders when I stand straight and adjust the pack strapped to my back. “Besides, with the Atalaxian King dead and his heir being rather

predisposed to like you...I don't think that there's going to be a big search party on our tail."

I laugh a little and grin up at my mate. "And even if they did, my clever Jackson was way too careful in covering our tracks, right?"

He barks out a little laughs and slips his arms around my shoulders. "I prioritized speed, Princess. We should hit the borders of Moon Valley tomorrow and then we can get home."

"So...we're spending the night here?" I ask, looking eagerly around. I mean, for all of Atalaxia's faults, this bright field is...pretty gorgeous, with the wind blowing softly through the grasses and all that expanse of sky overhead.

Jackson hums a confirmation and beings walking us towards the little stream. "Do you mind?" he asks, glancing down at me. "I know it's more rugged than you're used to."

"No, I love camping!" I say, genuinely enthused. "And honestly Atalaxia has ruined me a bit for luxury for a while. If I never see gold leaf again, it will be too soon."

Jackson smirks, nods, and kneels down by the stream, reaching up and giving me a little mental nudge that clearly requests the backpack. I hand it over, sitting down as Jackson pulls off his boots and then takes a little bar of soap and a bottle of water out of the bag, handing the latter to me.

I sip quietly at the water as Jackson pulls off his shirt and moves closer to the very shallow stream, putting his feet in and then dipping low to splash water up over his face, washing a great deal of King's blood off his face and chest.

My wolf and I sit very quietly as we watch Jackson's makeshift little bath, my shoulders and spine straight. Because...heavens.

My fierce warrior mate, King's blood and fresh water running long down his body, rippling over his stomach The blood of a King that my mate killed because he threatened me; a King whose death likely signals the end of a very long war.

Jackson cups his hands in the stream and closes his eyes, lifting the cool water up and over his head. He does this a few times, letting it run through his hair, which plasters thick and dark to his skull and neck. He exhales in relief at the sensation and my eyes move to the water that dribbles down over his full lips.

When he gives a wolfish shake of his head, sending water scattering in all directions, my mouth falls open slightly and my wolf shifts anxiously from paw to paw, a low whine sounding in her throat.

Slowly, Jackson opens his eyes and smirks at me. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, I am fine," I say, leaning back on one hand and giving him an obvious, appreciative glance up and down that makes him laugh. "I am just...enjoying the show."

Jackson smirks as he drops his eyes. "You're exaggerating," he murmurs, running his fingers through his mussed hair and tucking it back behind his ears.

"I'm like, really not, Jacks," I say, grinning at him. "Honestly, if I had a video camera right now, I suspect I could sell this footage for a great deal of money -"

He barks out a laugh and grins at me, reaching for my arm. "Come on, tiny," he says, beckoning. “Let's get you cleaned and wrapped up so your mother doesn't scold me when I bring you home all wounded."

"Oh, as if Queen Ella could ever be mad at you," say on a happy sigh, scooting closer and lifting my wrist as Jackson reaches into the pack and pulls out some basic antibiotics and gauze. "Her perfect orphan baby who has now saved me twice? You won't be able to do any wrong in her eyes."

Jackson takes my arm and dips a little piece of gauze into the clear stream water, beginning to dab quietly at Gabriel's mark, cleaning it up. "Think this is enough to take Rafe's spot as favorite?"

Chapter 0872

"Oh, I think he should be worried," I say, soft and cheerful. A corner of Jackson's mouth turns up but he concentrates on his work, ensuring that the mark is perfectly clean before dabbing some antiseptic cream on it and wrapping it in fresh white cloth.

When he's finished, Jackson ties a little bow around the bandage and then surprises me by taking my hand in his, ducking his head, and then pressing first one quick kiss to my bandaged wrist and then another to the bare skin above it.

I blink at him as he raises his eyes to mine. "What was that for?"

He frowns a little. "I need an excuse to kiss you now?"

I tilt my head. "I just...never imagined you'd have the impulse to kiss the space on my body where another man has marked me. Even if it is under gauze."

Jacks slips his hand up to my elbow before giving me a little tug towards him, catching me and pulling me into his lap when I tilt forward. I smile, nuzzling my face against his bare chest, quite happy to be there.

"I've told you before, Ariel," he says very softly, the words resonating against my cheek as they echo in his chest. "I love every part of you, marked or not. And I've been thinking about it a lot - I'm...incredibly jealous of both Luca and Gabriel for having some claim on you. Some part of me, selfish or biological, wants you all to myself. And I don't know if I'm sorry about that."

I tilt my head up, peering curiously at the sharp contours of his beautiful face.

He shrugs, like whether or not guilt in this situation barely matters. "But either way, Ari - these marks are...part of your story, part of your power. Beyond not wanting you to ever be ashamed of them, or think that I don't like them, I want you to know that I accept them. I'm proud of them - proud of you. So incredibly proud of you - every piece. Every piece. I'm very sorry if I made you feel otherwise - I was selfish and.....unthinking. You'll have to forgive me."

My eyes fill with tears as I just stare up at him, completely blown away. Because how can he be so good? This man whose early life subjected him to such neglect and deprivation - how has he grown to be the most forgiving, accepting, wonderful person? With the most open heart?

Jackson lifts a hand to brush warm over my hair, making me smile. "How can I begrudge these marks when they gave you the power to

end a war? I couldn't bear to be set

greedy. You are my mate," he says, his voice dipping low with both possession and love. "But you are still Moon Valley's Princess. And I love and admire and respect how seriously you take that role. Seriously, Ariel, you can't know how much."

"But you ended the war," I say, my voice all creaky with emotion, a few tears finding their way out of the corner of my eyes. "You're the one who killed the King

He smirks. "That was the easy part. Just a little flash of fangs. You're the hero of this entire story, Princess. Twenty years of war and then you're on the scene for what, a month? And it's done."

I shake my head, denying it, knowing it's more complicated than that. Still, I reach my arms up, wrapping them around his neck, wanting to be held tighter closer. "I couldn't have done it without you. Not an inch. You're not taking enough credit."

"Yes, I am," he murmurs, wrapping me up and holding me close. "You did it, but I'm taking full credit for the assist. Be sure to emphasize this to your dad, please, when we get home, so that he accepts me as your mate. He was probably mad when left - I was disobedient, which I know is not his favorite characteristics Your mom and I kind of...arranged it without his knowing."

I burst into a little laugh, my body shaking against his, and I pull my head back a little to smile into my mate's face. "Oh, I think he'll forgive you, Jacks."

“Just talk me up anyway, okay?" Jackson replies, smiling back - that rich, joyous smile. He takes a slow, deep breath, again running his hand over my hair. "Come on. Let's get you to bed."

My wolf howls with joy and I wiggle excitedly against him, making him laugh again as he gets to his feet and carries me back to the ATV and all of our supplies so that we can set up camp.

After all, I will certainly need to get some sleep tonight, exhausted as I am.

Yes, sleep is certainly a priority, I think, stifling a yawn and leaning against my mate's chest.

Yes, a little tent, and a nice warm blanket, and some sleep...eventually.

Chapter 0873

The moment Jesse's feet hit the familiar floor of his bedroom at Alpha Academy

he snarls, spinning his head left and right, one arm wrapped firm around Midnight, holding her close. A series of gasps echo throughout the room as the

ambassadors stumble a little, finding their footing -

But beyond that? No sounds echo through the air. He lifts his nose, sniffing, attempting to scent anyone strange...

His heart pounds for a moment or two more but Jesse relaxes, just a touch, when he realizes that they are indeed alone.

"All right!" Jesse barks out, drawing all eyes in the room to him as he begins to move, ushering Midnight along with him from his place next to the coffee table over to Ariel's nook. "I need Ambassadors by the door - we're taking you downstairs so that we can contact the capital and your loved ones! Please leave the collective yurt pieces and belongings here!"

The ambassadors all gently begin to put what they're holding on the floor and then move towards the door.

Midnight looks up at Jesse, clearly terrified, as he pushes back the familiar curtain that hides Ariel's bed. As he does, her and Jackson's lingering scents hit him hard - god, how long has it been since they were all here together? Since their lives just...completely fell apart?

Will they ever be the same - and quite as good - ever again?

Jesse doesn't let himself dwell for long on the question as nineteen ambassadors move for the door.

“Ben?” Jesse calls, making eye contact with him and Elias and Pippa, gesturing for them to come over to the nook as well. The three do, the Atalaxians - especially Pippa - looking incredibly nervous.

"How are you?” Jesse asks the young woman, his eyes sweeping worriedly over her, especially noting the protective hand she keeps on her round belly.

"Um," she says, her voice pitched high, quite shrill as she looks up at her Alpha. “I'm fine? I think? Um..." she moves her anxious gaze back to Jesse for a moment and then dropping it. "Are we...are we your prisoners, your Grace? How can we expect to be...treated?"

"What?" Jesse asks, baffled for a second.

But then he realizes that these are

indeed two very high-ranked Atalaxian royals - the heir to the throne and his pregnant Luna, in fact. And, considering they're still technically at war with Atalaxia, important political persons indeed.

"Oh my god, Pippa," Jesse says, reaching out a hand and settling it on her shoulder. He removes it instantly when she flinches away. "I'm sorry apologies - but no, you're our honored guests." He solidly between Elias and Pippa. "I mean, I know this is weird and complicated - and Ben probably understands the complexities of this better than I do -"

An assured nod from Ben puts Jesse's heart at ease that he does, indeed, have a plan.

"But please," Jesse says, pressing a

hand to his heart. "You're certainly not a prisoner. I'd like you to come, back to the Palace with me? To meet my parents, and the King and Queen? But I swear, you'll be treated with the utmost respect at every turn. I'm very aware that you came along on this little journey willingly."

Relief crosses both Elias and Pippa's face as they glance at each other and then,

as one, nod to Jesse, accepting these terms.

"And what about me?" Midnight asks, quite squeaky, her hands clasped anxiously together in front of her stomach, her shoulders tight.

"You," Jesse says, turning to his little mate and giving her a happy smile. "Are a Moon Valley citizen now, Mids. And a very high ranking one. So, it's your job, in my stead, to make sure our guests feel at home.”

Jesse gestures towards the nook, indicating that they should all climb in. As he does he glances again at Ben, hoping to hell that Ben understands the true instruction here: that he is in charge, and it's his job to keep Midnight calm.

"Why?" Midnight asks, her head whipping from side to side as she reads between the lines of Jesse's sentences and realizes that he's not staying with them. "Where where are you going?"

"I'm just going to go call my dad, Mids," Jesse says quietly, bending down to look her in the eye. "So he can send a helicopter. And bring us home."

Her eyes go wide. "What's a helicopter?"

"I'll tell you all about it,” Ben says cheerfully, pointing to some of Ariel's little library on her desk. "Plus, we can order up lots of food - whatever you want. All sorts of good things."

Jesse takes in a deep breath and beams at Ben – because that's a great idea.

Chapter 0874Midnight takes a step closer to Ben, her eyes on him, sufficiently distracted. "Can we have meat?"

"You can have whatever kind of meat you want,” Ben says, grinning at her. "And cakes too - all kids of desert."

For a moment Jesse's heart aches because...well, Midnight's whole world just got turned upside down, it makes sense that she's afraid. But it's a little bit horrible how sufficiently she's distracted from that trauma by the simple offer of food.

He determines, inwardly, to make sure this girl is never, ever hungry again. Not a day in her life.

"How?" Midnight says, looking around. "Do you...cook in the big fireplace?"

"Actually,” Ben says, grinning at her. "See that door across the room, built into the wall?"

He points at the dumbwaiter over by Rafe's bed and Midnight's eyes flash to it. She nods.

"That's a magic door," Ben whispers. "Come on, I'll show you how it works." Midnight's eyes fly wide and then excitement takes her expression.

"Go," Elias murmurs to Jesse, clasping him on the shoulder for a moment and giving him a steady smile. "We'll ensure that she's safe."

"She's in good hands," Pippa says, laughing a little as Ben and Midnight reach the dumbwaiter and he opens it, demonstrating its current empty state before he hands her a pad of paper from Rafe's desk, telling her to write down anything she wants on it.

"Thank you," Jesse says quietly to the pair of them, already turning towards the door, a hand on his heart. "Seriously, thanks."

“She's a good girl,” Pippa says, giving him a happy smile and a steady nod, more comfortable with him than he's seen her yet. "And she's lucky to have you."

Jesse sighs. "I hope that continues to be true. You two please eat as well - my mother and my aunt will never forgive me if I didn't feed my guests, especially a pregnant guest." The pair laugh a little and Jesse give them a little bow before he strides for the door, signaling all of the ambassadors to follow. "Come on! Let's go find the Captain. And a phone.”

Mark looks worriedly between Rafe and the human girl as the trio sits in a small formal living room outside a conference room in which Dominic and Roger are meeting with their

council Ella and Hank sit in arm net

chairs on the far side of the coffee table, talking lightly, but Mark's eyes continue to return anxiously to his brother. Because Rafe is usually so easy with guests and small talk - it's practically his job, as crown prince - and today he's just being...weird.

Ella and Hank chat amiably over cups of tea about the goings-on of the war, Ella's worries about her missing daughters, and Hanks

continued investigations into then et

Community in the North. Mark

doesn't listen to it much - honestly, it's either stuff he's heard before or nothing that he's interested in. Instead he just...watches Rafe.

Rafe, who sits with his shoulders hunched and his jaw clenched, staring determinedly at his cold cup of tea on the coffee table.

Why? Why is he being...such a freak? Mark sighs, because if Rafe is sick or something then Mark is well aware that it's his job to entertain Maryam. And there's absolutely nothing less that he wants to do in the world - first because chatting about acceptable nothings is his least favorite way to spend his time. And second because Maryam is...

Well. Unpleasant is the kindest word that comes to Mark's mind, but he hastily searches for another one, because that's rude.

She's...challenging. Complicated. Willful.

"If you actually gave a crap about any of your citizens in the north," Maryam snaps out, interrupting the Queen. "You'd arrest all of those horrible Community wolves in an instant. The atrocities they're committing against their own people and the effects they're having on the surrounding communities is abominable."

Hank sighs and slumps back into his chair, raising a hand to his forehead.

Ella flicks her eyes immediately to the young woman, fighting a smile. "If we can find proof of their crimes, Maryam," she says quietly, "then I will certainly do just that. But I won't jail my own citizens on hunch and rumor."

"So what?" Maryam asks, leaning forward a little, her mouth drawn into a serious line, her large dark eyes flashing. "You're just going to let them continue to wantonly rape and pillage the countryside simply because you don' have proof of

"Maryam," Hank growls, his eyes closed, clearly sick of a behavior and an argument he's encountered before.

Midnight takes a step closer to Ben, her eyes on him, sufficiently distracted. "Can we have meat?"