The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy



Jackson has to pull me back into my seat when I try to jump up before the truck even stops. I scowl at him but he just smirks at me.

As soon as the truck pulls to a stop, though, he lets me go and I move swiftly for the back. Something in the back of my mind registers all of the other Cadets likewise sitting still as I pass them, and jump down from the back of the vehicle, and stride right for my father, who wraps me up in a tight hug.

I burst instantly into tears, tired and overwhelmed and finally feeling safe enough to do it. Dad tucks my head against his chest though and turns away with me, not letting my schoolmates see.

"All right, trouble," he murmurs, his voice low and sad to see me this way. "It's all right."

Footsteps approach and I sense my mates as well as my brother and cousin. When they're close, dad turns me gently away and we all walk to the large tent before us - the one set up for dad and Uncle Roger for rest as well as meetings.

As soon as we step inside dad scoops me up into his arms, one beneath my knee and the other behind my back. He walks me steadily to the back of the tent to a lonely little cot away from the action. He sits down there with me in his lap, holding me close to his chest. I glance over at the rest of the room where I see my boys mingling, talking with Roger and some other aids, Luca and Jackson glancing over at me every few moments.

But I sigh, exhausted, and close my eyes, resting my head against my dad.

He lets me sit in peace for a long moment, just holding me tight, and the quiet does wonders for my poor beaten soul.

I mean, being here in my dad's arms doesn't fix anything but I just...I mean, I love my dad. It's impossible to not feel better, warmer, safer when he's around.

"We're so proud of you, Ariel," dad murmurs, taking my cap off my head and setting it gently on the bed before pressing a kiss to my braided hair. "So terribly proud."

I nod, knowing he means it.

“I don't think you know how important it was, what you did,” he continues, his voice soft, his words just for me. “We weren't expecting them to attack that part of the line - it's why we put you there. Strategically, it was a bad choice for them - unless they had something planned which we didn't see. That must have been it."

"I think they were going for me," I say quietly. "I don't know how they'd know it, but I think they knew I was there."

"We're considering that,” dad replies, and I feel him nodding. “Which is...disturbing, in its own right. But either way, my dear, what you did was... incredible. Had they broken through the line there, we'd have had to completely re-route our forces, give up the attack. And considering that the Cadets weren't trained enough to hold the spot -“

"You need to teach them to shoot straight, dad," I say, lifting my head and giving him a dubious look. "Those helicopters were well within range, I can't believe they missed -"

Dad's face bursts into his handsome smile as he looks down at me. "Not everyone's a sharp-shooter like you."noveldrama

"Well then they should be," I say, screwing up my face with doubt. "That was...embarrassing."

"Luckily they had you to make up for it," dad says, resting his forehead against mine. "You're not taking me seriously enough, Ariel. You were a huge part of this victory tonight. What you can do..." Content belongs

"I know," I say quietly, nodding and letting my eyes drift shut again. "We have to think about putting me in a more strategic place."

"Trust me, darling, we are,” dad says,

tightening his arms around me and allowing me to rest my head against his chest. "But tomorrow. We'll do that tomorrow. You rest now"

Swno

I take a deep breath, listening to the slow and steady sound of his heartbeat, willing myself to relax.

But I know I can't.

Not without knowing.

"Dad?" I whisper.

"Don't, trouble," he says, his voice heavy with grief. "Don't ask me now. Just rest."

But I shake my head. "I have to know. Is he..."

My dad sighs and puts a hand on my cheek and I open my eyes, looking up into his. But I know his answer before he gives it.

"I'm sorry, Ariel," my dad says, his face drawn. "We lost him a few hours ago. I'm sorry, darling, but he died."

My lip starts to tremble as I try so hard to be strong, as my eyes fill with tears.

"It's all right, sweetheart," dad

murmurs, gathering me close to him, tucking my face against

warmth. "Let it out. It'sOV

I obey my father, wrapping my hand in his shirt as I sob my heart out, missing my friend, devastated that I'll never hear him laugh again. That he died for me.

My father holds me tight for what feels like hours, rocking me like a child, while I'm swept away with grief.