Ch. 956..960: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 956-960

Chapter 0956

The next few minutes pass calmly, the girls getting lost in their games, Jesse splitting a can of orange soda between him and Midnight, pouring some into a glass for her and taking the can for himself. Then he sighs, leaning back on his hand, studying his mate.

"What?" Midnight asks, taking a sip of her drink before resting her cheek on her knee.

"You just look...better, Mids," Jesse says, his eyes moving over her. "You've put on some weight. You look healthy. It makes me happy."

She narrows her eyes. "Are you going to try to seduce me now?"

He laughs, shaking his head. "No, I didn't mean it like that."

"Good," she murmurs, turning her face away, again watching the girls like a little dragon that has unwillingly let intruders into her cave and isn't happy about it. "I'm not doing any of the romance stuff. Gross."

"No worries," Jesse says on a sigh, searching his heart. But still, even as he does, he realizes with a rather strong assurance that even if Midnight is his mate, and even if he can admit that she's a beautiful girl, he is...still not attracted to her. Not in that way.

His wolf turns in his soul, anxious and confused, not getting it. Shouldn't he be attracted to her, if she's his mate?

Maybe it doesn't work like that, his wolf says, pacing back and forth. Ariel said she had a stronger sexual connection with Jackson than Luca...

Yeah, Jesse murmurs inwardly. But she still made out with Luca. A lot. She was still attracted to him.

Maybe our relationship is different, his wolf says with what can best be described as a wolfish little shrug. Maybe it reflects what she needs, which is less passion and more...companionship.

Jesse's wolf shifts his gaze, looking towards the space where the bond would be if Jesse accepted it, beyond which they can still see Midnight's poor little wolf, still stuck in that oil, panting, her eyes lit with that manic glow.

Or maybe, his wolf says, hesitating, maybe things would be different if she wasn't corrupted.

Jesse hums aloud, considering. Wondering.

"Oh, just tell me," Midnight says, rolling her eyes.

Jesse blinks back to the moment, shifting his gaze to her. "What?"

"I can feel you thinking about me," she says on a huffy sigh. "What is it you want to say?"

Jesse smiles, pleased again with his mate's quick wits.

"I'm just curious if you meant what you said," Jesse says, shrugging one

shoulder and lifting his can of soda

to his lips, taking a sip. "About wanting to enroll in Alpha Academy in the fall? And coming this spring, to help watch Marigold and study as much as you can?"

"Yes," Midnight says, sitting up straight and setting back her shoulders. "I meant it.

I want to be a spy like Ariel - I think I would be a great spy, better than her. Don't you try to stop me!"

Jesse grins at his ferocious little mate. "I'm not trying to stop you. I'm on board," he says, truly meaning it. "But, I mean, you know that Daphne still works there, right?"

Midnight's eyes go wide, her jaw drop ng open. "You dare to mention the whore!?" she hisses, her eyes darkening, shadows immediately beginning to seep from her skin.

Jesse waves the shadows away like smoke, glancing over at the little girls, not wanting them to be afraid. But they continue their games, giggling and trying on different clothes, oblivious.

"She's not a whore, Mids -"

"She is a whore!" Midnight hisses, livid.

"Midnight," Jesse snaps, more serious and stern than he usually is. "She's a seamstress, all right? And a lovely person. And she works at Alpha Academy. If you come with us and enroll, she'll probably be making your damn clothes!"

Midnight's brow furrows, her fangs lengthening as she becomes the terror of nightmares she was when Jesse first met her. Jesse smiles a little, almost fond now of the horrible sight will never wear a stich that the whore crafts for me – she will sew poison into the seams - she will spin her whore magic -"

"Oh, for heavens' sake, Mids," Jesse says, laughing a little, wrapping the shadows that drift towards him around his hand and then pulling them into himself. "Cut the dramatics. This is just a fact of Academy life - Daphne's going to be there, and you're going to have to be nice to her."

Some of Midnight's shadows clear as she realizes they're having no effect on Jesse. They continue to waft around her even as her face returns to normal. “Can't you just take her job away?" she says, pouting darkly.

Jesse frowns at Midnight. "I'm not taking away a young woman's career just because you don't like her, Midnight."

"She makes me uncomfortable!" Midnight snaps.

"You don't even know her!" Jesse returns, leaning towards his mate. "Honestly, Mids, you're being unfair."

Chapter 0957

Midnight grumbles something about not wanting to be fair, turning her face away from him.

Jesse sighs, not enjoying making her unhappy but knowing that it all needs to be said. “And,” he continues. "While I want you to enroll if that's what will make you happy, I have to say - I don't think Uncle Dom is going to be thrilled about having a young woman corrupted by Darkness within his Academy and his military."

Midnight snaps her head to him, her mouth open. "What!?"

Jesse shrugs. "Darkness has a hold on you, Mids," he says. "I don't honestly know what that means, but if there's a chance that Darkness can control you? Or see through your eyes -"

"He can't see through my eyes," she mutters, rolling them.

"Are you sure?" Jesse asks, leaning closer.

Midnight stills, her face falling, making it abundantly clear that she...is not sure.

"Darkness is our enemy right now, Midnight," Jesse says softly. "I don't know what's fully going on, but he was clearly using Atalaxia to attack us as the Goddess's children and heirs. And now that Atalaxia is gone he's going to find some new method to do it. Maybe the Community or maybe..."

"Maybe me..." Midnight whispers, horrified. She starts to rock back and forth, uncomfortable, her shadows swirling.

Jesse lets her sit in it for a moment, putting a hand out on her shoulder, wanting her to feel that he's on her side.

To his surprise, Midnight fixes her eyes on the little girls across the yurt, on their laughter and play. She watches them for what feels like a long time, her mind clearly working on the problem, on her priorities, on what she wants for her life.

She turns her head back to Jesse, her eyes sad and worried. "I don't want anyone in my family to get hurt because of my powers," she whispers quietly.

Jesse nods, his heart aching for her, squeezing her shoulder in his palm.

"But," she continues, her voice wavering. "I...don't want to give up my powers, Jess. I...don't know who I am without my powers. I don't want to be weak." Tears fill her eyes.

Jesse sighs, his heart breaking for her, and he scootches closer to Midnight, gathering her up in his arms and pulling her into his lap, cradling her close to his chest. "You'll still be Midnight," he

ovel

murmurs, pressing a kiss to her dark curls. "We'll still love you precisely as much."

"But I won't be powerful," she whines, desperately sad.

"Are you sure?" Jesse asks, considering it, pressing his cheek against her hair. "Mids, how much of your powers are...your gift? How much are a result of the corruption?"

She goes a bit still. "What are you talking about?"

Jesse sighs and then begins to speak his thoughts aloud as he thinks them, musing on Gabriel's ability to use his powers even after Ariel cleared him of his darkness thoughin a different, lesser form. “I just wonder if the same would be true for you," Jesse murmurs. "If you'd actually lose anything. Or if....it

would just be different."

"I don't want less power," Midnight says, frightened. "I don't want to be weak."

"There are other ways to be strong," Jesse says softly. He lifts his head, putting a hand on Midnight's shoulder to push her back a bit so that he can look into his face. "And your wolf, Mids- she's...suffering." He turns inward again, his wolf howling to see hers still stuck in that oily muck, unable to move or to play, her breathing labored. "What would you gain if she was free?"

"I don't know," Midnight says, a little whine in her voice. "Jesse, I don't know - it's all so scary..."

He hums in agreement, not wanting to push her. It's her choice, after all - her body, her magic, her wolf, her life.

After a moment, he tries one last foray. "Do you think," he murmurs. "That if I got Ariel up here just to talk to you about the possibility of clearing your corruption... do you think you'd talk to her about it?"

"I don't want to be forced to do anything," Midnight growls, sniffing hard. "You said you wouldn't force me, Jesse."

"And I won't," he whispers, holding her close. "I promise, Mids. Just...please talk to her. Maybe she can tell you what would happen. I want you to know all of your options. And then you can decide."

She sighs, leaning hard against him. "All right," she says, her voice barely audible as she closes her eyes, trusting him. "All right, Jesse. I'll talk to her."

"Thank you," Jesse says, wrapping his arms around Midnight and holding her close. Inwardly his wolf stands straight, shaking out his fur, determined to do as best as he can by this girl.

To help her live her life as she chooses, whatever that looks like.

Chapter 0958

"Okay, okay,” I say, smiling at Pippa, giving her hand one last squeeze. "Good luck, Pips! I'll be right outside the door!"

Pippa gives me a nod and a smile, her face flushed and sweaty. She squeezes my hand back. "See you in a minute, Ari," she says, turning away to Elias and my mom and Cora – Alpha, magical healer, and OBGYN - who will be staying in the room for the birth.

I sigh, stepping away, biting my lip, desperately wanting to stay -

"Out, Ari," mom says, flashing me a grin and pointing towards the door as Cora leans towards Pippa with a watch in her hand, timing her contractions and murmuring to her that it's time to push.

"Oh fine!" I sigh, scowling at my mother and turning towards the door, flouncing out with a pout readily on my mouth. I sigh, pulling the door shut behind me, knowing that my presence isn't necessary but really, really wanting to be there.

"How is she?"

I jump a little, turning in surprise to the croaking voice, my eyes widening in surprise when I see Mark and Benny sitting on the hallway floor, each of them looking mildly miserable and worried.

"She's fine," I say, flashing a smile at Ben. But then I turn to Mark and frown. "What on earth are you still doing here?" I ask, crossing the hall and squeezing in between them.

Mark sighs, scootching to the side a little bit to make room for me. "Don't ask, Ari, okay?" he murmurs, looking down at his knees, clearly miserable.

I just stare at him, baffled, but Ben gives me a little nudge with his elbow.

I spin to my friend, confused, but he just shakes his head gently at me, urging to do as Mark asks. I frown at Ben, not getting it, spinning my head back to Mark because -

I mean, why the hell does Mark even care!? Ben's presence and worry I get - this

is his mate's first child. But Mark looks almost green with worry-

Seriously, why on earth would he be this worried about a girl he hardly knows!?

But suddenly my eyes go wide, my wolf leaping to her feet because -

But no way -

No way -

It's...not my baby Markie, he's just a baby...and Pippa of all people -

Ben elbows me again, sharper this time, and by instinct I spin my head back to

him with a scowl. Because, honestly, that kind of hurt.

But Ben shakes his head more vehemently this time, intuiting what I've intuited and letting me know that it is not going to be helpful to for me to interrogate him at this

moment. I sigh, masterful net

my curiosity away and simply putting a hand out on Mark's knee, letting him feel my support even as I force myself to keep my attention on Ben.

Honestly, I'm very impressed with myself at the moment, I am rarely capable of such restraint.

But for Markie, my baby? For him, I can do it.

"Anyway,” I say, clearing my throat and keeping my focus on Ben's face. He grins at me, seeing the effort it's taking. "Pippa's fine. She's going to start pushing now."

A huffy little worried moan breaks from Mark but I manage to ignore him.

"She's amazing," Ben says, looking towards the door. "She's been...so brave, running away from everything she knows and having her baby here."

I murmur my agreements, studying my friend's face, allowing my attention to drift to him - which is easier in this moment than I thought it would be. Suddenly I feel quite guilty, wondering if I've neglected Ben in all of the crazy events that have been happening lately.

"How are you doing, Benny?" I ask quietly, genuinely wanting to know. "How are...

things? With Elias? And with Pippa?”

He sighs, long and slow, but can't keep the smile off of his face. "It's been

complicated. Amazing but...complicated."

I nod, tilting my head to the side, understanding.

"Elias is in a weird spot," Ben says, shifting his gaze to the door. "I've been trying to be supportive and I hope that I'm succeeding. But we're just so so happy with each other, Ari. Like - he's so great. He's so funny, and strong, and smart, and clever I just...every moment we spend together is amazing."

 

Chapter 0959

I beam at my friend, thrilled for him, and fight heroically against my urge to turn towards Mark's jealous little snarl.

"Is there a but coming?" I ask quietly, intending that it's not all roses.

"Of course there is," Ben says, laughing a little. "My mate - he's married, isn't he? He's got a Luna and a baby. And he and Pippa are incredibly close. Pippa and I... we're jealous of each other, in our own ways. And while we both want Elias to be happy..." he sighs and shakes his head. "We're having trouble...finding our places in each other's lives. It has not been simple."

I hum consideringly, reaching out my other hand to rest on Ben's knee, wanting to support him as well. "Do you think you will find a balance?"

"I think we will," Ben says, nodding to me. "Pippa has...come around to me more. She likes me more than she did at the start, especially as she's come to realize that I'm not trying to take Elias away from her - that I think there's some way we can do this together as some sort of weird...triple parenting," he says, laughing a bit, shaking his head.

Mark snarls again and my wolf howls, desperate to know what the hell is going

on.

"I think that's lovely," I whisper, smiling at him. "Three parents to love her - the baby would be a lucky girl."

"Yeah," Ben says on another sigh, returning his gaze to my face. "But...I think Pips is feeling lonely. Elias used to be all hers, after all, and now his attention is split. I think she's...worried. And feeling alienated and alone."

I sigh, my heart going out to her, and I mentally root myself to the determination to do better by her – to be a better friend. I bite my lip, considering. "Do you think maybe they should come with us to Alpha Academy?" I murmur. "That would make things easier, and then I'd be around so we could hang out, and the sudden demand to accommodate two little girls would make it easier to argue for why the Academy's policies regarding children should change -"

A terrible, rough snarl breaks from Mark at the suggestion and my will breaks. I whip my face to him, my eyes flicking astonished over his angry visage. "What the hell is going on with you, Mark!?"

Mark's mouth flies open to reply -

But suddenly the door opens, and Cora peeks her head out, beaming. "She's here!" Cora says, laughing a little and peering back into the room. "A beautiful little girl, perfectly healthy! Mama's doing well too!"

Mark moans in relief, returning his head to his hands. I just stare between Cora

and him, not knowing what to focus on.

Cora also gives Mark a weird look. "Um, just a few minutes to clean up the baby and then Pippa says you can all meet her - but briefly, okay? The new mom is going to need her rest."

Ben and I murmur our agreement and Cora nods, ducking back into the room and closing the door.

"Congratulations, papa," I say, laughing a little and leaning over to Ben, pressing a happy kiss to his cheek.

"Thanks, Ari," he murmurs, hugging me close. "It's...a very cool day. Honestly, I'm grateful she's a girl - girls I can handle."

I laugh a bit, knowing that he can. He's got sisters, after all - this is well within his wheelhouse.

The three of us sit quietly for a bit,

our eyes fixed on the door, and I keep glancing at Mark from the corner of my eye - my heart going out to him. Eventually I shift my hand from his knee to his back, petting him in long, slow circles.

He glances over at me, his face drawn, and gives me a little nod of thanks. I lean against my brother, hoping he knows that whenever he's ready to talk to me... I'll be right here.

Eventually the door opens again and Cora waves a hand magnanimously into the room. "The new Atalaxian Princess awaits!" she says, laughing a bit.

I grin, getting to my feet alongside Ben and Mark. Ben and I eagerly move for the door while Mark hesitantly follows.

Chapter 0960

Laughing with excitement, I move past Cora into Pippa's room, heading immediately for the new mom. Cora follows behind me, heading to the corner to pack up her doctor's bag.

"Pips!" I say, grinning and reaching for her hand, sitting down on the stool next to her and beaming at her. "How are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Pippa says, laughing a little. "Relieved that it's done, happy she's here." Her eyes stray over to where Elias is holding a teeny tiny little bundle in his arms, stepping close so Ben can see. My mom stands close by, standing on her toes, peeking down at the little baby like her eyes can't get enough.

"You're magnificent," I sigh, standing to press a kiss to her cheek and likewise looking eagerly over at the baby. "Did you pick out a name?"

"Bianca," Elias says, smiling over at me, pleased and proud. "We've decided to call her Bianca."

"Bianca," I repeat, loving it, grinning down at Pippa. "So...not named after his mother?"

"Well, she may have the lineage of an Atalaxian Princess," Pippa says with a happy sigh, looking up at me. "But she's a little Moon Valley girl now, isn't she? New life, new traditions."

I squeak with joy, loving that, dipping low to give Pippa a huge hug.

"Oh, go," she says, laughing and swatting me away. "I know the baby is the main feature."

I laugh, doing as I'm bid and letting her go, moving quickly over to Elias and Ben and my mom. As I walk I glance to the door, not missing at all that Mark is leaning against the doorjamb, not fully in the room, his worried gaze trained on Pippa.

She glances at him once but then looks away, shifting uncomfortably and returning her eyes to her daughter, all bundled up.

I bite my lip but...I let it stand. After all, they haven't asked for my help. And despite my tendency to meddle...well. It seems to be what Pippa wants, after all, and she gets to be in charge today.

I move towards Mom, Elias and Benny, my arms out. "Gimme,” I say, grinning with abandon.

Ben laughs, shifting little Bianca out of my reach. "No way," he says, shaking his head. "I just got her."

"Oh, you jerk,” I sigh, standing closer, demanding. "As a Princess of this realm, I order you -"

Mom bursts out laughing and gives me a little shove on my shoulder even as Benny laughs, relenting and passing the baby into my arms. My eyes fill with tears the moment my gaze lands on her and I look up at Elias, completely overwhelmed. "She's beautiful, Elias," I whisper. I turn towards Pippa, shaking my head. "Absolutely wonderful."

Pippa nods eagerly, agreeing with my assessment and I laugh as I look down at the perfect little girl. Her coloring pale-skinned with a dark little patch of hair, her scrunchy little newborn face much more peaceful than I've ever seen. She clenches one tiny fist in front of her apparently already having escaped from her swaddle.

“Oh, she's going to be a little fighter," I say, desperately proud already. "And smart and clever and funny -"

"Don't flatter the child," Elias says, dry, leaning over me, beaming at his little girl. "She'll get a big head."

"Precisely as I intend," I say with a happy sigh, pressing a kiss to her forehead before handing her back to her dad. "Truly, congratulations," I say, beaming around the room to all of Bianca's collected parents. "She's a wonder."

I turn last to Mark at the door, including him in the group.

Because even if he hasn't said anything yet.

And even if Pippa hasn't acknowledged him...

I see the way his eyes are trained on the bundled little girl.

I sigh, glancing over at Pippa, who still refuses to look at my brother...

...wondering what the hell is happening there.

We spend a few more minutes

admiring the new baby and congratulating Elias and Pippa, but my mom and I see Pippa's energy begin to fade nearly at the same time. Mom catches my eye

gave a happy nod, slipping net

my arm around Ben's elbow. A few words whispered in his ear has him regretfully turning away from his mate's little girl - the little Bianca who is a daughter to Ben now as well, in his heart if not technically by blood.

With a fond press of Elias's hand, Ben comes with me the door to gather up Mark as well. We call our goodbyes and our congratulations and good lucks to the new parents as Cora and mom gather the new parents close to give final checks and instructions before they can be left alone to rest.

The door swings shut and I sigh with happiness, my arms looped around Ben and Mark's elbows as we three start down the hall. I grin as I glance up at Ben's face and see his proud smile, only slightly tinged with melancholy and jealousy - because I know that were it up to him, he'd have stayed in that room much longer.