Ch. 941..945: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 941-945

Chapter 0941

He turns his head back to me. "They nap?"

My mouth spreads into a grin. "At four? Kind of a lot."

"Oh god," he groans, putting his head again in his hands. "I don't - I don't know what I'm doing. I'm trying to do it all right – I just...have no idea what's going on..."

"You sound just right for a new dad," Roger says, wandering over with Cora at his side, both of them smiling lovingly down at my big, confused Alpha mate. “We pretty much lived in that state of anxiety and unknowing for the first eight years of Jesse's existence."

"And I'm great!" Jesse calls from the breakfast buffet, where he loads up a plate. Jackson hesitates, studying Jesse, clearly wondering if it was the best choice.

Cora and Roger burst out laughing, and I do too, and then Jackson does and the room rings with it. I scootch closer to Jackson's side, looping my arm in his and leaning against him. "It's gonna be fine, Jacks," I whisper. "This is her family. Kind of a crash course in it, yes but...she's going to have to get used to us sometime."

“Yeah, I guess you're right," Jackson murmurs, looking over to where Seraphina really is playing quite gently with Marigold - much more gently than she does with her other siblings, who she bites and tackles with glee. But the light in Marigold's little brown puppy eyes that shine so bright against her wolf's dark fur - god, she just looks so incredibly happy that my eyes fill with tears.

“Looks like breakfast cocktails are in order," Roger says, giving us both a wink and then starting over for the bar cart.

"What?" I ask, wiping at my eyes.

But I understand more completely when I look over at Jackson and see his eyes filled with tears too as he watches his little girl play with her new cousin. As he realizes that unlike him, she's going to grow up with a family.

And a really, really good one at that.

I lean close against my mate and pass a great deal of love down our bond.

Jacks leans against me too and sends it right back.

Sensing that it will put Jackson most at ease, my family is uncharacteristically calm and subdued for the rest of the day. Roger pours Jackson a big glass of whiskey that he nurses, his eyes

constantly moving back to old.

As the hours pass each of the adults in our family spends a little one-on-one time with Jacks, chuffing him up and ensuring him

that he can do this.

Rafe, Mark, and Jesse each take turns playing with the girls, little games that leave the pair shouting with laughter and joy. At some points I even hear Marigold chattering with her new friend, talking on and on in her excitement, belying her first impression as a quiet and subdued child.

But even as they have fun, I keep myself stuck to Jackson's side, knowing that Marigold is in good hands and that Jackson needs me more right now. Because even as he starts to settle into his new role as father - more aligned with dad and Roger now than Jesse and Rafe - I can still feel the confusion, and anxiety, and quite a bit of fear roiling within him.

-

So, I just stay quietly at his side, passing him counter emotions as much as I can down the bond. Not telling him that he's wrong just... providing encouragement and perspective. Letting him know that we're safe. That it's good. That it's all going to be all right.

By the time the girls fade a bit, ready

for their afternoon nap, and Cora

and mom take them into mom's

bedroom to lay down and sleep for a bit, I sense that Jackson's a bit ready for a nap too. His anxiety about the nap ran high for a moment until Cora introduced him testhe concept of a baby monitor, after which I saw his shoulders

slump visibly with relief. Saw, indeed, a great deal of exhaustion come over his face.

"You okay?" I whisper, leaning against Jacks, smiling up into his face.

"Oh, I guess so," he says, glancing down at the monitor and accepting a fresh drink from Roger, taking an eager sip and welcoming the relaxation it promises. Then he smiles at me and nods over to the couches where everyone is sitting, and we go over to join.

We're just sitting down and settling in when another knock comes at the door.

Chapter 0942

Dad starts to get up to answer the door when mom comes flying out of her room, waving a hand at dad. Cora follows soon after, pulling the door shut and nodding to Roger and Jacks to let them know that their daughters are asleep.

I turn my head to stare between Roger and Jackson, a little baffled, suddenly, when I realize that...these two men, from completely different generations, have daughters the same age.

"I know, right?" Jackson murmurs on a sigh, taking a big sip of his drink. I burst into laughter.

"Sit sit!" mom calls to us, grinning. "That's for me. Timing couldn't be better."

"Who is it?" Rafe asks with a frown.

"My crew!” Mom says, gleeful as she pulls open the door and waves in her favorite construction manager - a workman with whom she has had a relationship for years. “This way, this way!" she says, waving the foreman and all of his workers forward. My eyes go wide when I see that they're carrying quite a bit of wood and tools.

"What - what are you doing?" I ask, baffled.

"Oh, I wanted it to be a surprise," mom says, biting her lip and folding her hands behind her back. "But...Markie? Do you want to tell?"

All of our eyes turn to Mark, who sits next to me and blushes. "Well, Marigold needs a room, right?" he says.

I just stare at him for a second, blinking, before my eyes go wide. "Mark, no!"

He just laughs and shrugs. "Come on, I need to move out of my little kid room sometime. This way I get to move to swanky bachelor quarters down the hall and Marigold gets her own space. And since our rooms have an adjoining wall –“

"We're building a door!" mom squeaks, excited, unable to let Mark finish without bursting in. She clasps her hands excitedly beneath her chin, her eyes moving between me and Jacks, desperate to know what we think.

"Oh my god," I breathe, pressing a hand to my chest. "No way! Mark, that's too generous - that's been your room since you were a kid -"

"What - what is happening..." Jackson asks with a frown, still not getting it.

"I'm giving Marigold my room," Mark explains, smiling warmly at Jacks. "And since she's so little, mom is building a door between your rooms so you can check on her without having to use the hall."

Jackson gapes at Mark, and then at me, and then down at the baby monitor. And then he dips his head down into his palm, overwhelmed and touched.

All the women in the room bite back an instinctive coo at Jackson's overwhelmed state while the men smile warmly at him, understanding.

"And you don't have to live here, if you don't want to - though of course you're welcome to," mom says, coming and sitting close to

Jackson and me on the couch, net

putting a hand on his arm. "I

vél.

just...when you are here - which I hope will be often - you need more space. And Markie's right, he's growing out of his room -"

"I would like it stated," Rafe says, a bit dry, drawing all eyes to him as he raises a glass of whiskey alongside his declaration. "That some of us are not this generous and have no

intention of giving up their room

any future children. My room is my room, forever. In fact, in the many future generations of Sinetair children to come, I would like my room preserved in perpetuity, precisely as I leave it. And no one's

allowed to touch my stuff."

I burst out laughing at my brother, shaking my head at him, my whole family joining in as the crown prince finishes off his drink and gets up for another one, winking at us.

I turn my eyes back to Jacks, grateful for my brother, realizing that his joke made

a little space for Jackson to collect himself. I grin at Rafe, who nods to me and gives me a tiny little shrug.

“Thank you, Ella, and Mark,” Jackson says, looking at them seriously. Then, to my surprise, he turns his eyes to me. "What do you think?"

"I think it's a great idea," I say, nodding eagerly. "I mean, it will be so easy to check

on her next door - and we can make the room so cute, decorate it however she likes -"

Chapter 0943

"No, Ariel," Jackson says, laughing a little and putting a hand on my knee. "What do you think in like, a larger sense. Do you...want to live here?"

I sit up straight in a bit of surprise. "I...do live here," I say quietly, not getting it. "This is my home."

"I mean permanently," Jackson says, turning more completely to me now with a small frown. “Like, is this where you want to be to raise Marigold? Here, where you grew up. Is that best?"

I just stare at him, realizing finally -

Stupidly -

What everyone else has probably put together.

That...that we have to live somewhere. Somewhere steady, and solid, where Marigold can go to school and have a schedule and a routine. Where she can participate in activities with other children and make friends.

But...

"But we have to go back to the Academy!" I blurt out, staring wide-eyed at Jackson.

Jackson stares back at me and my family goes dead quiet for a second before turning politely away and starting little mini conversations, pretending to give us time to discuss this amongst ourselves while they very clearly - at least to me - continue to listen with rapt attention.

Jackson is quiet for a moment before smiling softly, raising a hand to my cheek. "You go back to school, Ariel," he says, cupping my face, shaking his head at me a little bit. "It's so important to you, I know that - and you should finish, it's just another year -"

"Jackson!" I gasp, smacking his hand away. "We're - we're both going back to school! We're both finishing Alpha Academy!"

He hesitates for a moment, his shoulders slumping. "Ariel, I have to put Marigold before my own wants right now - I have to stay here -"

"Why!?" I ask, my eyes going wide in my panic.

He just stares at me, confused.

"Ariel, our room is crowded enough," Jesse says, wandering over, perfectly casual, as if we're talking about sports or the weather. "Where would you even propose to put a third bed?"

"She can have yours," I snarl, glaring hard at him, not in the mood for jokes.

Jesse smirks and takes a sip of his drink. "Touche. Problem solved. I'm in on this plan."

"Jackson's not wrong," my dad says quietly, all eyes turning to him. Everyone goes quiet as dad shakes his head, sorrow warring with firm reality on his face. "It's clearly stated in the school's rules that enrolled students are not allowed to bring family and loved ones. Technically, enrolled Alphas are supposed to be single to avoid precisely this

situation and so that the young men can focus on their education."

I lean forward towards my father, just as firm and starting to get mad. "It's also a rule that enrolled students had to be male, but I threw that right out the door!"

Dad's mouth presses into a thin line as he considers me. "Exceptions were made for you, Ariel. But if we begin to throw out rule after rule, when does it end?"

"When I say it ends!" I shout, livid suddenly.

"Ariel," my father says, his voice a low warning, scolding me like I'm a child.

But that just stokes my fire a bit more. "After everything that happened these past few months," I growl, my own voice dropping lowe as I glare hard at my father. "After everything that I and Jackson did for this nation - this? This is what is causing a stumbling block to his happiness!? To our happiness!? That you just don't let kids in the castle!?"

"I -" my father begins, leaning forward, but I don't let him get far, rising to my feet

to glare around the room.

"This man is a hero in this war," I

snap, pointing at Jackson. "This man saved me and killed your

enemy with his teeth in his necklet

And this is how you show your gratitude!?” I sneer at my father, and at Roger, knowing that they're the ones who wrote the rules,

 

Chapter 0944

"This has nothing to do with whether or not we're grateful for what Jackson did for this family and this nation," my father says, staring at me, cold.

"With all the resources this family has," I snarl, "with everything that we have imagined for our people - vastly different futures, equality between wolves and humans, and end to the kind of Atalaxian government that reduces women to chattel. But, somehow, we can't imagine a single way to let a young man continue his education just because he has a child!?"

"Ariel," Jackson sighs, reaching for my hand. "You're going too far -"

"No, I'm not," I snarl, whipping my hand out of his grasp. "And if you won't stand up for what you deserve, Jackson, I will!" I turn my face back to my father and my uncle, a desperate frown on my lips. "You raised me to believe in better values that you're enacting right now. And I'm ashamed of you."

I whip my head down to my mate, letting him know mind to mind that I can't be in this room any longer, asking if he wants to come with me.

But he just sighs and slumps back against the couch, not knowing what to do, not knowing where he stands. Not wanting to anger my father and my uncle, who have been so good to him. Not...not knowing what his next move should be, or can be.

"Fine," I growl, storming for the door alone.

"I, for one, agree with her," Jesse says, following behind me. "Ariel's ethics are right on this and, whether or not you see it yet, she's revolutionizing the way things are done in this world. Anyone who catches themselves on the opposing side from Ariel should...seriously reconsider their shit.” His footsteps echo behind me as I storm out into the hall.

"I agree too," Cora's voice sounds, light and easy, though I can barely hear it now as I march away. "Though I am too relaxed to dramatically storm out, you should all imagine me doing so. For solidarity."

My feet carry me forward, rage overtaking my mind and not letting me think anything but thoughts that replay my anger, and my arguments, and my conviction that this can't it can't just be impossible for Jackson to return to school -

She's just a little girl - she's very small and portable - how is this derailing our entire education!?

My steps pound up and up a staircase and only come back to myself when my hand slams against a door, shoving it open, and cool afternoon air rushes over me. I stop

dead in my tracks, my breath met

panting a little, and just stare

forward at the yurt as Jesse comes to stand next to me, barely breathing hard.

Which is infuriating. As usual. God damn athletic Alphas.

"Shit," I say, looking up at him. "Is it...is it okay? To come here? When I'm all pissed off?"

"Everyone seeks comfort in the yurt!"

Jesse says, sweeping a dramatic hand out towards it before looking. down at me with a small smile. “It's fine, Ari Mids would love to talk you through your drama. She's a

shockingly good listener, as long as you don't mind hearing the deadpan truth of her opinions when you're finished spilling your guts."

I narrow my eyes at him. "Can I drink demon juice as I talk?"

“Oh, it's encouraged,” he says, raising his eyebrows at me.

"What's going on?" Midnight calls, pushing back the flap from her yurt and frowning at us, the bright orange glow from her tent warm and inviting. I can't help but smile a little when I see that she's wearing a hoodie over what I can only describe as a ballgown skirt.

"Jackson got a pup and Ariel is confused," Jesse says, quite succinct, pointing at

me.

"We're drinking demon juice and venting our woes, Mids!" I call, striding for the ever-full wine fridge in the outdoor kitchen.

"Sounds good!" she calls, ducking back in. "Come inside!"

As I sit on a pillow, sipping my wine and looking around, I consider hat the yurt has gotten...shockingly cozy since I've last been in it. Somehow Midnight procured a little space

heater that looks like a firace ne

and

it kicks off a great deal of heat. Beyond that, there are dozens of blankets and books and little shelves filled with snacks.

"You've done good for yourself, Mids," I murmur, kind of thinking that maybe I'll just set up a yurt outside Alpha Academy to live in with Jacks and Marigold. I mean, the way Midnight makes it look, it's a very cozy life.

 

Chapter 0945

"Thanks!" Midnight says, quite pleased, plopping down in front of me with a glass of orange soda. Jesse lays on his side next to both of us, quite calm and casual. "Miss Ella has been very nice and gives me whatever I ask for, and also brings me stuff up too. She brings me lots of clothes."

"Mom loves clothes," I say, nodding understandingly. "She'll fill the whole yurt if you let her."

"She says I can store them downstairs. But you," Mids says, pointing a finger at my face. "Are avoiding telling me a gossip. Where did Jackson get a pup?"

I scowl a bit, certainly caught in the act. "It's his daughter, Mids," I say with a shrug. "He only just found out she existed yesterday, which is...insane."

Midnight's eyes go wide. "So...so he made the pup?" she asks, leaning forward a bit breathless. "Doing...doing the sex?"

I work very, very hard not to laugh at this, not wanting to embarrass her. But I can't help the wide smile that spreads over my face. "Yup, that's how it happens."

"Oh man," Midnight says, sitting up straight. "That's so gross. But you are not the pup's mother? How does that work?"

“Our Jackson got around in his youth,” Jesse says, peering over at Mids, clearly entertained. "He's faithful to Ariel now - we presume -"

I snarl at my cousin, who shoots a grin at me before turning his eyes back to Mids.

"But before he met Ariel," Jesse continues, "he knew another girl. And they liked each other, so..." he shrugs, letting Midnight fill in the blank.

Midnight's eyes narrow further. "Was she a whore?"

I burst out laughing. "Mids, no! By all accounts she was a perfectly lovely girl."

Midnight hums consideringly, taking a sip from her soda. "Is the baby cute? And well behaved?"

"Very cute," I say, nodding my confirmation. "And well behaved, so far."

"And is the mother coming to demand that Jackson return so he can perform the labor of caring for the child?"

"No," I say, my voice softening with sadness. "She died, Midnight. So, Marigold -" "What's a Marigold?"

"It's Jackson's pup's name," I say, laughing a little. "But yes, Marigold only has Jackson now, so he's going to raise her."

Midnight cocks her head to the side, considering me. "Well, then why are you mad?"

I cock my head too. "What?"

"You came up here all angry,"

Midnight says, "But... things sound pretty good. After all, you got a free pup out of this - a cute and

well-behaved one - and you

didn't

none

have to do any of the sex or the birth or anything. And no one is

demanding that Jackson leave. So why are you mad?"

I sigh, thinking that Midnight...rather has a knack for putting things in perspective, doesn't she? "I'm mad because my family is saying that Jackson can't go back to schoo because he has to stay and take care of his kid. Which means I can't go to school, because I'm certainly not going to abandon him."

"Well, why can't the pup go with you?" Midnight asks, sitting up straight.

"That's what I said!" I gasp, leaning forward, eager. Midnight nods to me, sharp, like it's finished.

"Don't you think it will be too

dangerous for a pup?" Jesse asks,

looking at Midnight curiously. “All those weapons and Alphas running around learning to be dangerous? Plus, Marigold won't be able to go to school, and she'll not have any friends when there are no other children around."

Midnight just rolls her eyes. "You could have said the same thing about Ariel enrolling. Won't she be lonely, without any other girls? Isn't it too dangerous for a girl? And all that."

Jesse's eyes flash back to me. "Good argument. And you came out with flying colors."

"Yes well, I think they will have a stronger case with Marigold," I say, a bit dry. "As she won't have anyone to take care of her while Jackson and I are in class."

"I'll come and take care of her," Midnight says with a casual shrug.

Jesse and I whip our eyes to her.

"That is," Midnight says, looking between us with her clear dark eyes. "Until I enroll officially in Alpha Academy in the fall. So, you'll need a new babysitter come September. But until then, I'd be happy to ensure Jackson's pup doesn't die while you're away."

Jesse and I just stare at Midnight in shock for...a myriad of reasons.