The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0226

“Mom,” I say, catching her arm and stopping her before she heads to the door. “Are you… are you mad at me?” My voice breaks a little on my question, my eyes smarting with tears as I look at her, worried.

“Oh, baby,” she murmurs, shock and concern suddenly on her face. “Why would you think that?”

“Because,” I say, heaving a little shrug. “We we lied to you for months. And I did

something really dangerous. And I almost died, and showed up all bloody with two mates and it must be so weird –”

Mom laughs a little, taking my face between her hands and shaking her head at me. “Oh, sweetheart,” she murmurs, and then she nods. “If I’m being honest, I could have done without the blood and the near–death. But I’m not mad at you – sweetie, I’m proud of you.”

My mouth twists in sudden surprise, and my eyes fill with unexpected tears. “You’re – you’re what?”

“Baby,” she wraps me in a hug as she speaks, “you are doing something difficult that nobody has done before. And it’s kind of kicking your ass!” I laugh, tears slipping down my cheeks as I nod and hug her back.

“Yeah,” I reply, my voice shaking. “It kind of is.”

you,” she says, pulling back and beaming into my face. “Look at you, baby! You’re kicking its ass too! You are finding your way, doing something you’re passionate about, and you’re succeeding. Ariel, my love,” her own eyes fill with tears now, “I’m so proud of you. I’d scream

mu taare away

a few moments to wipe before we head off to breakfast. Before we go, I tuck the little notes left

four of us gathered around for coffee, and some toast and fruit, at a little folding table in the back hall. Cora isn’t here, unfortunately she headed home after patching up some minorly–wounded cadets and sending Jesse off with a

– that after I fell

the signs of it now that I look for them the slight circles under her eyes, the yawn

smile, and don’t call her out – because even though mom is full of jokes and would just brush it off, I know

the thousandth time to try to be

grab perhaps too eagerly, loading up my

crumbs spilling from my mouth as I speak with my mouth full.

just smirks at me, and I give him a little glare before I chew and swallow, focusing

our dad.

around the table at us, “I do listen to you, and I am reasonable. I am not pleased with the fact that we were lied to, and that Ariel was put into an unnecessarily risky situation.” He levels his gaze at me now, and I sit up straighter, as I always do when I’m in trouble with dad.

swell in me. Dad folds his hands, continuing to look at me evenly. “I am aware that yourself at