The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy



Jesse gives me a little glare, clearly wanting to be in on the mini conference, but I just grin at him and flick my fingers towards the door, telling him to go away. Cora laughs and gathers up my brother and my cousin, escorting them out of the room and shutting the door behind her so that mom, me, and Jacks are quite suddenly alone.

Jackson sighs, letting me slip down to the floor, even though I can tell he doesn't want to.

Mom keeps her eyes on the door until it snicks shut and then whips her head back to the two of us. "Did Rafe and Daphne break up? What's going on there?"

"Mom, I called this private conference to talk about me," I say, pressing my fingers delicately to my heart. "Not your precious meatball."

"But he is a precious little meatball!" mom says, gathering her fists tight below her chin and looking at me with shining eyes. "Just a sad, precious little heartbroken meatball!"

I laugh, shaking my head at her but heaving a little sigh. And then as mom slips into Rafe's desk chair and I take my seat again, Jackson pulling his chair over to sit between us, I quickly fill my mom in on Rafe's romantic drama. And even though I can tell she has a thousand questions, I smile my gratitude when mom tucks them all away and leans towards me.

"Okay. Thanks for telling me that - but I'm sure he'll be okay. But what's up with you, baby? Are you all right?" She leans forward, putting a warm hand on my knee, her eyes bright and loving and defensive, like she's ready to call the Goddess back and give her a piece of her mind if she's truly upset me.

My lip starts to tremble at the concern in her voice, the way she so clearly offers to take my troubles from me and solve all my problems.

“Can you stay, mom?" I croak, suddenly wanting her near very, very much. So, so much has changed so fast and I just...want my mom. "Just for like, one more night?"

A sudden rush of worry and love comes flooding down my bond with Jackson as he sees how upset I am, but I'm still looking at mom even as he reaches out a hand and places it warm on my back.

"Oh, sweetie," mom whispers, her heart breaking as she slowly shakes her head.

I sit up straighter, squaring my shoulders, hating that answer but knowing that she'd only deny me this if she had a good reason for it.

"I have to go home," mom whispers,

scootching closer and taking my

face again between her hands. "To....to Markie, and June. And your dad," she shakes her head. "They" need me and..." she bites her lip, "with what you said? About the Dark God having...interest, in our Junepiper?"

I sigh, hanging my head for a moment and then nodding.

"You'll be fine here, love," my mom says, petting me softly, my hair and my cheeks. "You've got Jackson,

et

who is much better at protecting than me and just as nice." I glance over at my mate to see him flushing

a bit at the compliment, bushingnoveldrama

he

moves his eyes to mine, giving me a little nod that lets me know that I'm his full priority in my mother's absence.

But still, it's not enough, is it?

"I won't be all right, though," I say with a sudden desperation, remembering that new dark thing that curls within me. And then, dropping my head, I start to cry again when I realize that I had a chance to ask the Goddess about it - and, like an idiot, I didn't.

"Oh, little baby," mom murmurs, slipping out of her chair and moving to mine, budging me half off so she can sit next to me and wrap one arm tight around my back, the other moving to cup my face. "Tell me," she whispers, looking seriously into my eyes. "Tell me everything."

I spill it all out of me, the story of what happened with the God of Darkness kissed me. Of some darkness turning slowly inside me and then opening one eye, awake and fresh and hungry and eager to do... Something, though I have no idea what. Down the bond can feel Jackson's growing horrobas I speak, though I'm surprised to see that mom simply...nods.

And doesn't look surprised at all.

"Oh, baby," mom whispers, shaking her head at me when I fall silent, finally out of words. "For what it's worth, I...don't think it's all bad."