Ch. 981..985: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 981-985

Chapter 0981

"I'm like barely with child! Oh, come on, a sip in celebration isn't going to hurt them!"

"Mommy wants her liquor," Jesse whispers to Marigold, his eyes wide with pretend worry. Goldie's mouth circles into an anxious little 'o' as she turns her gaze to me.

"Nope!" mom says, absurdly cheerful. "None! And no caffeine either - you've got to be healthy, Ari -"

"No coffee!?" I squeak, horrified. Rafe grins at me, delighting in my agony as I slump dramatically back against my chair. "I'll never make it. I'm not prepared for this."

"You'll be fine, cupcake," mom coos, petting my hair back from my forehead. "We'll get you some nice herbal tea."

I groan and then hold my glass out towards Marigold. "Here, Goldie, this is for you. You like apple juice, right?"

Her eyes flare with interest and Marigold hops off the couch, trotting over to me, her hands reaching for the glass. We all watch with interest as she takes her first sip of the drink, her eyes opening wide with joy as the liquid hits her tongue.

I laugh, gathering my little girl up into my lap for a cuddle as she takes sip after sip of the drink, clearly enjoying it even though she doesn't quite know what to do about the bubbles.

"When you going to break it to her that she's going to get some siblings?" Rafe asks, grinning, leaning forward to peer at his new niece.

"I think you just did you idiot," I say, laughing a little and petting Goldie's hair even

as I glare at my brother. "She's right here. She listens to everything."

"Oh, she doesn't know what siblings means," Rafe says, waving a dismissive hand and taking a drink of his champagne.

"Siblings," Marigold murmurs between sips, smiling down at the glass, proving us both right. I grin, watching her.

"I guess Jacks and I will do our best to break it to her whenever he gets out of there," I sigh, turning to look at the door to my parents' bedroom, anxiety running through me. I mean, I know that dad isn't going to do anything horrible, but still... Jacks has been through a lot lately. I just hope dad goes easy on him with whatever it is he wants to say.

"Oh, he'll be fine," mom says on a happy sigh. "And in the meantime, I get my baby girl all to myself without Jackson being all Alpha and possessive. Come on, trouble, let's do that health scan so I can ensure you're fit to carry my grandchildren."

"Okay," I say, shifting in my seat to lean closer to my mom, smiling a little as her warm lavender light begins to spill all over me.

Jackson walks to the center of the large bedroom before he turns toward the Alpha King, straightening his shoulders and slipping his hands into his pockets. His wolf stands steady in his soul, his snout low to the ground, watching, wary.

Because as much as Jackson's pretty sure the King means him no harm... Jackson is well aware that he did just accidentally impregnate the nation's eldest Princess. Second in line to the throne. And that...ţ there might be consequences for that.

"Well?" Dominic Sinclair asks, prowling after Jackson and stopping about three feet away, the two Alphas squaring off, power and dominance radiating from each of them. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Jackson goes

bit still, dread coiling in him. Because...god damn it, Dominic wants words? Words are the thing he's least good at. Jackson narrows his eyes, a little confused. "Sir...should I have something to say?"

Dominic stares at Jackson for a

second before his face breaks into a

e'

smile. "Nah, it's okay, Jackson. You can relax. I'm just putting you through your paces a bit for fun. It's not every day that your daughter gets pregnant and you get the opportunity to scare the living daylights out of her mate."

Jackson exhales a long sigh, letting his shoulders relax, his head hang a bit.

Dominic laughs, stepping forward to clap a hand on his shoulder.

"Consider me paced, sir," Jackson murmurs, raising a hand to rub at the bridge of his nose for a moment. Then he drops his hand and raises his head, meeting the King's eyes. "You're not angry with us? With...me?"

"You're a good kid, Jackson,"

Dominic says, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "I'm not angry with you. You've demonstrated yourself to be a strong and faithful mate to my daughter, dedicated to her

Rel

happiness and safety. And beyond that, you're a good addition to the family. I can't ask for more than that. There's nothing wrong, ever, with two people who are so clearly dedicated to each other bringing a child into the world."

Jackson nods slowly, a little frown taking his mouth because... "Well, then why the private chat?"

"Because," Dominic says, patting his shoulder once more before dropping his hand to his side. "You're good to Ariel, and good for her. But I want to see you do right by her."

Jackson raises his eyebrows, honestly surprised. "Am I...not doing right by her?" Dominic smirks at Jackson, waiting for him to put the pieces together.

Chapter 0982

The King and the Alpha stand in silence, staring at each other.

Jackson breaks first.

"Please, Dominic," Jackson says, laughing a little desperate laugh, turning a palm over in a plea for mercy. "I - I don't get it. Please tell me what I'm doing wrong - I'll fix it, immediately I'll fix it."

Dominic bursts into another grin, shaking his head at the poor young man who is so talented in so many ways, and so naïve in others. "You're mated to a public figure, Jackson. I'd like to see you make things official with Ariel - claim her. Publicly. As your mate."

Jackson just blinks at the King and then leans forward, confused. "But she is my mate," he says softly, narrowing his eyes. "Didn't I didn't I do that? She's got the mark..." he gestures unnecessarily to his own neck.

"She's your mate, and we all know that," Dominic says, nodding. But then he raises a hand, pointing it to Ella's bedstand. "But to the rest of the world you're the Mystery Hunk. And everyone in the country thinks my daughter is mated to the tragically unfaithful Luca Grant. It will thus be very scandalous when, in six months, she gives birth to two pups who look particularly...hunky."

Jackson groans, covering his face with his hands, hating to the ends of him that Dominic Sinclair knows about the whole 'mystery hunk' thing. Dominic laughs again, slipping an arm around Jackson's shoulders and leading him across the room, through the door of the closet, and then over to the mini bar that Ella keeps in there.

"So, what do I do?" Jackson asks with a sigh, accepting the very small dram of whiskey that Dominic pours for him.

"I'd like you to consider having a mating ceremony," Dominic says, pouring a second drink for himself and leaning against the minibar. He takes a sip of his drink as he studies his daughter's mate. "So that the world can see and acknowledge you as Ariel's choice. A member of the royal family. The father of her children. Public, official."

Jackson nods slowly, looking down into his drink. Anxiety rolls in him as he does. And it's not at all – that he would mind having a ceremony with Ariel in front of friends and family. That might actually be nice. It's just...the whole 'before the whole nation' thing. He's always been very careful, very private.

But now...

"You already chose this, Jackson," Dominic says softly. "Like her mother, Ariet shines like the sun. People are drawn to her, interested in her. She'll always be a celebrity. You knew all of that when you marked her. Clearly, you had time to walk away if that was too much. And clearly, there were others who were willing to take the spot."

Jackson sighs, a little ashamed of himself for hesitating, and again raises his eyes

to Dominic's. "I know. I'm sorry, I agree. And I'm not hesitating - not really. I'm

just...it's been a lot to adjust to before nine in the morning."

"That I understand," Dominic says, moving closer to Jackson so that they stand side-by-side, their shoulders touching.

They stand like that for a long few moments, Jackson taking some time to gather his thoughts and feelings, Dominic letting him have the time Dominic smiles as Jackson adjusts, liking the boy a great deal, especially for his Ariel - his first little girl. Strong, steady, willing adoring. It's what he would have picked, if he'd had a choice.

Dominic raises his eyes to the ceiling for a moment, sending a little prayer of thanks to the Goddess for this blessing, this good match for his little girl. And then for the two little babies, new additions to a family for them all to love.

A blessing, truly. All of it.

"Okay, so, what do I do?" Jackson asks, straightening his shoulders and looking towards the door, clearly ready now after a few minutes of contemplating. "Do we just...go to the Goddess's Temple and have the ceremony? Or..."

Dominic laughs, wrapping a hand around Jackson's elbow to hold him back, well aware that the kid would march Ariel down to the Temple right now if it's what was right.

"Don't worry about the cernet

just now, Jacks. Ella will handle all of that, after all. She'd kill you if you didn't let her throw Ariel Some big elaborate ceremony."

Jackson pauses and then nods, understanding that. He turns back to Dominic and raises his eyebrows, a question still there about what the hell to do next.

"Well, you should probably ask Ariel," Dominic says with a smile. "It's usually tradition. Though...I think I personally skipped that step when it came to Ella, so if you want to surprise her, there's some precedent for that."

"No," Jackson says, instantly. "I don't like surprises. I'll ask her. But...if there's time? Maybe I can do it in my own way? Not like... right now, in the living room?"

Dominic nods, letting him know that that would be all right - perfectly fine. "Don't wait too long. Ella can't keep ceremony planning a secret for any extended time. It will kill her."

Chapter 0983

Jackson grins.

"Are you ready for all of this?" Dominic asks, his eyebrows knitting together with worry.

Jackson's smile falls. “Ready for what?"

"For...this," Dominic says, waving around to the ridiculous closet and all that it implies. "Fatherhood to three kids. A life as a member of the Royal family, a national figure, a political entity unto yourself. The Princess's consort. As the father to Princes and Princesses. It is...not a simple life, Jackson."

Jackson clenches his jaw and looks down into his drink, truly considering it. Inwardly Dominic's powerful wolf shakes out his fur, quite pleased with his new son-in-law, pleased that he takes the time to consider the question instead of just blurting out whatever it is he thinks Dominic wants to hear.

"I'm ready for it," Jackson says quietly. "Or, if there are ways that I'm not...I know she'll help me. If this is what life with Ariel and these children is, then I'm ready for it."

"Good man," Dominic says, putting his drink down and opening his arms to Jackson. Jackson goes a bit still, not knowing what to do, which just makes Dominic laugh as he steps forward and wraps Jackson up in a hug.

Jackson's eyes fly wide as Dominic presses a kiss to the side of his head because...he's never, ever had a mark of affection like that from another man. From a father figure, at that.

"I'm proud to have you as the father of my grandchildren," Dominic murmurs, stepping back and keeping a hand cupped around the back of Jackson's head. "We love you, kid. I love you. We're so pleased to have you as part of the family. We'll help you however we can."

Jackson clears his throat and swallows hard, looking down into his drink, at once incredibly pleased at the words and simultaneously remarkably embarrassed at the tears that line his eyes.

Dominic just smiles, missing nothing, and pats Jacks on the back. "Come on, let's go back out there," he says on a sigh, guiding Jackson back towards the door. "Ella's probably torturing Ariel. Making her eat a vegetable for the sake of the children."

"Ariel hates vegetables," Jackson murmurs, still a little dazed.

"Don't I know it," Dominic says on a sigh.

"Momm," I groan, holding a hand up and leaning away from her. "I don't want more pineapple - stop trying to force feed me!"

"It's for the babies!" mom snaps, mock-angry, laughing as she leans closer to me with a big piece of pineapple stabbed on the end of a fork. Isnarl and push her hand away just as a grape hits my head gasp and spin to glare at Jesse, who throws another.

"This, too, is for the children," Jesse says, grinning like the demon he is, pulling another off the stem and winding back his arm. Rafe and Marigold laugh, Goldie reaching for the grapes in Jesse's hands, wanting to join in.

We all quiet down and go a bit still as the bedroom door opens again, turning our worried eyes on Jackson and dad as they come out.

"Dad!" Marigold shouts, abandoning her quest for grapes and jumping off the couch, dashing towards her father. Jackson's face breaks into a smile as he bends down and scoops the little girl high up into his arms. She laughs and pats at his face with her hands, grinning at him, clearly delighted.

"Glad to see you're in one piece, Jacks," Rafe says, leaning back against the couch.

Jackson just smiles at my brother and then turns his eyes to me, his gaze warm and loving and proud and happy. My face breaks into a smile so big my cheeks ache.

"Okay, I've waited long enough!"

Mom says, waving her speared

pineapple victoriously over her head.

"Now that you're both here are you finally going to put me out of my misery and just tell me already? Please, please don't be withholding and make us wait for the birth in the name of some kind of horrible surprise –“

"Wait, what?" Jackson asks, his face twisting with confusion as he moves to me and perches on the edge of my armchair, his hand moving to my back, starting to move in slow and steady circles.

"Don't you toy with me, son-in-law,” mom snarls, narrowing her eyes and pointing the pineapple at his face. "Information! Now!"

"What are you talking about, Ella?" dad asks, laughing at her and stepping close, wrapping one arm around her waist from behind as his other hand reaches up and curls around her wrist, forcing her to lower her weapon.

"They're being cruel, Dominic!" mom whines, looking up at him all pouty, making me laugh. "They're keeping the babies' genders secret!"

I gasp, my eyes flying wide because I didn't even think of that!

God, what kind of mother am I, that I didn't even think to consider whether I'm having boys or girls or one of each!?

Chapter 0984

"Oh my god!" I gasp, my hands flying to my mouth. "I didn't even think —“

"Tell me!" mom moans, leaning back against dad, pressing her eyes shut like she's very pained. "I have to go shopping! I have to know if I'm buying little tiny dresses or tuxedoes!" Rafe and Jesse laugh at mom. Dad presses a kiss to her hair, smiling down at her antics.

I just whip my head up to stare at Jacks in shock.

"Go on then," Jacks says, smiling at me and lifting his chin towards mom. "Put her out of her misery."

"What are you talking about?" I whisper.

He frowns at me. "What are you talking about?"

"Jackson, I don't know if the babies are boys or girls -"

"You don't?" he asks, his face twisting in confusion. Marigold looks up at him, studies his expression for a second, and then looks down at me, her face twisting just like his. I pause for a second, momentarily distracted by how amazing it is that they just look exactly the same -

But then my eyes fly wide and my hand whips out, smacking him on the arm. "Wait, you do!?"

"Of course I know!" Jackson says, laughing and shaking his head at me. "I knew instantly, from the first second that I became aware of the bonds -"

"Well then why don't I know!?" I shriek, staring at him and then whipping my head around to stare at the rest of my family, who all grin at me. "Do you all know!?"

"Of course we don't know, Ari," Rafe says on a sigh. "They're your kids, your bonds. But mom and dad always knew immediately when they figured out they were pregnant."

"Not true," mom says, pointing a finger at Rafe. "I didn't know yours, because I didn't know I was a wolf, and your dad had to -"

“Um, I think I need this to be about me right now!" I interrupt, rather shrill.

Mom just laughs and turns her face back to me, tilting her head to the side a bit. "It's not hard, baby. Just...look closely at them. You're not doing anything wrong - you were just distracted and didn't know what to look for."

I feel everyone's eyes on me as I exhale slowly and turn my attention inward to the two shiny new bonds in my soul, my wolf sitting proudly between them, her nose held high and her tongue lolling with happiness. I look a little closer, my mouth pursing tight, inspecting, trying to see...

But then I sense it, immediately. And I'm absolutely shocked I didn't notice it before.

I gasp, my eyes flying open, my head spinning up to stare at Jackson.

"Figured it out?" he murmurs, grinning widely at me, stroking a hand over my hair.

"Girls," I whisper, awed, one of my hands drifting to my stomach and pressing there to where my precious little daughters are growing. "They're girls!"

Mom squeals with joy, turning to face dad and bursting into tears.

Rafe and Jesse let out shouts of joy, both of them jumping up off the couch and giving each other big

tears coming to my own eyes, completely awed and overwhelmed and stunned for what feels like the tenth time today.

hugs. But just stare at Jackson et

"Three daughters," Jackson murmurs, smirking at me and then leaning down to press a kiss to my mouth. “A year ago I didn't know any

girls, and now I've got four all of my

own."

en

I laugh a little, the sound shaky, and then reach up to wrap my arms around his

neck, pulling him closer for a moment, wanting the steady reality of him.

Three daughters. Jackson and I - we've got three daughters now.

God, but that's fantastic.

Heavens, but they're going to run us ragged. And I'm going to love every second of it.

"I can't wait to teach them how to snipe," I whisper into my mate's ear.

He laughs, pulling back enough that I can see him shake his head, even as he smiles at me.

Further congratulations go around then, with everyone hugging me and each other, celebrating the new addition to our family. Mark comes in from wherever his new bedroom is and it all starts again - the shock, the rs, the surprise, the wonder. And even as I laugh and bask in the

joy of this surprising morning...

I think about Juniper. And I wish, desperately, that she was here. She should know, of course, that she's got her first niece in Marigold. And that two more are on the way.

"We'll tell her," Jackson murmurs, sensing the direction of my thoughts and stroking my hair with his broad palm. "We'll go there and tell her."

"What?" I ask, my eyes going wide as I stare at Jacks. "How - how will we do that?"

Jackson smirks and lifts his chin towards Jesse. "He's got it all worked out."

I spin my head to stare at my cousin, appalled. "What are we waiting for!?"

Chapter 0985

"A calm moment, Ari," Jesse says, flopping back down on the couch as Rafe gets Mark a glass of champagne. "If we could have a single day without a baby announcement or a world-shattering revelation, I'd be able to take a deep breath and arrange it."

I snarl at him, conceding the point, but narrowing my eyes. "Tonight," I snap, pointing a finger at him. "Whatever you have planned, we're doing it tonight." Jesse raises his champagne flute to me and nods, giving me his silent promise. Rafe grins at me as he returns to the couch, letting out a happy, content sigh as he and Mark sit down next to each other, each sipping their champagne.

"Don't get comfortable," dad says from his spot in the center of the room, still standing with his arms around mom. Mom's eyes are a bit vague and distant. I grin, because I know that mentally she's shopping - planning out all the things she's going to buy for the girls. Dad snaps his fingers at Rafe and smirks at him. "Just because we have good family news doesn't mean we don't have a job to do."

"What?" I ask, my smile falling a little bit, looking around at everyone as Jackson places a steady hand on my back, warm and supportive.

I just look up at him, completely confused - why does everyone know something that I don't?

"An all-day meeting about Community stuff," Jackson says, looking down into my face. "I'm sorry - I meant to mention it last night and it slipped my mind."

"Yeah, did you think we just came at dawn all dressed and ready to hang out with you, Ari?” Jesse asks, defying my father and lounging further on the couch.

"Yes, of course I did," I say, blinking innocently at him. My cousin grins at me, getting my sense of humor as he always does.

"Come on, you lazy things," dad says, snapping his fingers at the boys. "Leave Ella to force-feed your sister health foods, we've got a meeting."

"I can't come!?" I gasp, desperately jealous and not quite sure why I'm being left out.

"Someone has to watch your child, Ariel," Jesse says, rolling his eyes at me as he sighs and gets to his feet. "So, unless you want Jackson to sit it out —"

"Oh," I say, suddenly completely understanding. Yes - child care. One of us has to do that now.

I reach for our little girl immediately, my stomach twisting with delight when Marigold immediately reaches for me, coming willingly into my lap.

"But..." I say, looking around with a frown even as I settle Goldie in my lap. "Wait, what's going on? What are you talking about in the meeting?"

"Coordinating the assault on the North," Jackson says, his hand moving

soothingly over my back. "And just how much the Academy is going to be involved

in supporting those efforts. Apparently, the Cadets are eager to see more action, but the Captain and Roger have hesitations."

"Oh," I say my face twisting to the side as I consider this. I look at my mom. Well, I should probably be part of that. Will you take Goldie today?"

Mom goes a bit still, studying me. "Of course I'd be happy to take Marigold, Ariel, but..."

I go still too, narrowing my eyes a bit. Because...why is there a hesitation there? The room goes quiet.

I slowly turn my head, looking around at everyone in the room. "What?" I ask, frowning. "What's wrong?"

"Ariel, why do you need to go?" Mark asks, leaning forward towards me, the only one not giving me a worried look.

"I mean, so I can be in on the

Can

conversation about how much the Academy is going to be involved," say, straightening my shoulders." mean I'm going to want to help with that, and as the only sniping@cadet..."

My words fade off as Rafe grimaces and my family starts to look around at each

other, worried and pitying.

"What!?" I ask, my heart starting to pound now. "What's going on?"

“Ariel...” dağ says, his voice a little sad. "I mean, the conversation was one thing when it was a question of whether Jackson could attend the Academy with a child..."

My eyes widen as I start to figure out where they're going with this.

"Baby," mom says, her voice sad for me. "Your priorities are going to change - they almost have to now -"

"No." I growl, standing up, glaring around at all of them, clutching Marigold to my chest. "Absolutely not. I'm going back to school!"

"It's far too dangerous, Ariel," dad says, his voice cold and stern.

"I can protect myself," I growl, holding out a flat palm and conjuring my blue fire

there. Marigold gasps when she sees it for the first time, fascinated.

Still, my dad just shakes his head, taking a step away from mom and crossing his arms across his chest.

I raise my chin, ready for this fight.