The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy



"Oh, Jesse's not going anywhere," Rafe says, reaching out a hand to beckon to our cousin. "We've got to talk. As a group." "Where's Luca?" Jackson asks, looking around the room with a frown, probably noticing his absence for the first time.

Ben, Jesse, and Tony collectively groan and I grin at my mate. "I'll tell you later," I whisper, nudging his nose with mine. He growls a little, intuiting now the source of my tears, but doesn't fight it.

Tony slips unasked out of Rafe's chair and everyone settles in around the coffee table. Tony refills his plate with tacos as Jesse falls angrily back into his chair and Jacks sits on the couch with me in his lap, pressing a kiss to my cheek and holding me close to his chest. Inside my soul his wolf gives an impatient nudge at the bond, which I open completely so that he can trot across the little bridge and turn in a protective circle around my wolf, rubbing his head against her and growling his wary unhappiness.

My wolf gives a happy little howl and returns the gesture. Both Jackson and I physically relax, warmed at the contact, feeling much more at ease. "How'd it go?" Jesse asks, clearly forcing himself to the new topic. "With the Captain?"noveldrama

"Poorly," Rafe grumbles, sprawled in his chair. "He's pissed we even asked to switch things up. Ordered us unceremoniously out of his office, told us we're facing demerits for insubordination."

Jackson growls aloud, as if the thought of a demerit could even deter him.

"Thanks for trying, guys," I say, sitting up a little, really feeling much better. Even if Luca is being a jerk, it's wonderful to know I have so many other people beside me, fighting for me. "I think we need to try again, though. I don't think there's any reason why I should be running this scenario at Blythe's side."

"What do you mean?" Tony asks, genuinely curious.

"I mean that it's...stupid," I say, giving a simple shrug. "The group of us want to go to war together not because we're just buddies who want to protect each other, but because it makes sense. And after we saw what I can do today, with Luca and Jackson and Jesse at my side?" I shrug like it's obvious. "I mean, to send me to war - even practice war - without them is -"

But I'm interrupted by a steady, stern knock at the door.

Each of us turn towards it, surprised and expecting it to just swing open. I mean, all of our usual visitors won't even bother to knock.

But when nothing happens and the knock slowly comes again, I swallow, pushing myself out of Jackson's lap.

Rafe gets to his feet and moves towards the door, sending a glance back at me. But I nod to him, letting him know that I'm ready.

When Rafe swings the door open and gives the Captain a salute, I'm not at all surprised to see him.

And I'm not surprised, either, when he ignores Rafe and sets his angry eyes on me alone.

"Cadet Clark?" he snaps, nodding to the empty space in front of him. "Clearly, we need to have a conversation about insubordination as well."

Slowly, I get to my feet, a very slight

et

bit of anger starting to burn away all of the other emotions that have been rushing through me tonight sadness, and betrayal, and even the very small bit of comfort that Jackson has given me in the past few minutes.

"Have I been insubordinate, sir?" I ask, folding my hands behind my back.

"You've been insubordinate by proxy," he says, his own anger showing through. "Sending your brother and your mate down to make ridiculous requests in your favor."

I straighten my shoulders immediately. "Rafe and Jackson acted of their own accord."

I stand still for a moment but then

slowly start across the room towards him. I feel Jackson flinch behind me, wanting to pull me back to him where I'll be safe, but inwardly my wolf gives his wolf a little lick on the cheek and then trots away. He lets me go to handle this on my own, and I send him a wave of love and gratitude in turn.

Slowly I cross the room and stand before the Captain. But then I stop.

"Whatever you have to say to me can be said before the rest of them," I say quietly, tilting my head back to look up into his face. "They are my team, after all."

A little growl hums in the Captain's chest. "You will fall in line and come with me, Cadet."

"Please, Captain," I say, quite prim, gesturing into the room. "Won't you come in?"