The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy



“We're going on a field trip today," Cora says, grinning around at all of us. I'm the only one who gasps with excitement, sitting up in my chair. Cora's smile deepens and she gives me a week.

"And we wanted Luca to come too," mom says, gesturing towards him, "since Ariel's magic seems to be so closely tied to her bonds - both those with her mates and her siblings. So," she shrugs, perfectly casual. "We want to see what happens when we add Luca to the mix."

"Cool!" I say, grinning, glad for the distraction from the Games and the chance to leave this Castle where I'm suddenly the center of attention. "Where are we going?"

"Just a short walk," Cora says with a shrug, gesturing for us all to get to our feet. "Not far."

"I hope this walk is long enough," Rafe says, moving to mom's side and frowning down at her. "I want to talk to you about the Games - see if you can intercede."

"Intercede?" mom asks, going a little pale and wrapping an arm around me as I come to step close to her.

"Yes," Rafe says, his eyes moving to me and then to my mates who come to stand behind me. "The plea with the Captain...did not go well. We're going to try again tonight but I want to see if we can go over his head to dad."

"Oh geeze,” mom says on a sigh, looking around at all of us and then tugging me towards the door. "Walk and talk, meatball. Clearly, we've got a lot to cover this afternoon."

We all troop outside together and then into the hills - away from Newtown this time, not towards it. As we walk Rafe and Jesse fill mom and Cora in on the drama from this morning. Jacks walks with them, listening closely and adding details where needed, glancing back at me every minute or two to ensure that I'm fine. I smirk while I watch him do it, knowing it's some Alpha instinct nudging him to ensure that I'm okay.

Luca and Tony walk on either side of me behind the larger group, both of them silent. But I just let them do it, not in the mood to intercede and try to get them to be buddies. I don't get their drama but honestly - now isn't the time to dig into it.

When we crest a hill, I'm surprised to see a big pile of wood gathered in an open space that's been cleared of debris, even grass.

"Ta-da!" Cora says, gesturing towards it and turning towards me with a smile.

"I mean, thank you," I say, walking towards her as our little group spreads out, everyone but mom frowning in confusion alongside me. "I always love a gift but...a necklace would have done beautifully as well."

Cora laughs and wraps an arm around my shoulders. "Think of it as a blank canvas for your personal art, babes," she says, giving me a squeeze.

"Oh!" I tilt my head to the side when I realize - obviously - that it's the start of a bonfire - a collection of wood for me to burn. Then I burst into a grin and look up at her. "I love it."

"Our little pyro baby," she coos, kissing my cheek and dropping her arm from my shoulders.

"Okay, so!" mom says, clapping her

net

hands eagerly together and gesturing for me to come forward. As I do, the boys spread out in a wide semi-circle around us, watching. "Correct me if I'm wrong, Ariel, but from what I understand is that your precise gift - as it stands

is not actually fire but...heat. And if you concentrate your magic on a flammable object with enough force, you can make it burst into flames, yes?"

"Yes," I say, nodding and then glancing at Jackson, who nods too, I think not realizing that he's doing it. Rafe smirks as he glances between us, realizing that I've worked with Jackson far more on this than anything else.

"And," mom continues, holding anoveldrama

hand out towards Jacks now, "when you connect with Jackson through your bond and through touch...you draw on his nearly-limitless magical energy to boost the heat, making your job go faster."

"Faster and more powerful," I say, folding my hands behind my back and nodding.

"Wait, what?" Luca breathes, behind me. But I don't turn to look at him.

"And!" mom says, kind of beaming at me now, getting really excited - she likes magic, know, and is really pumped that one of her kids magie with

developed. "When you con magiet

Rafe and Jesse, with whom you also

have bonds, you can ass

you

Jackson's magic to them as well?"

"In the form of energy, yes," I say, nodding and shrugging.