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.”

something you’re passionate about, and you’re succeeding. Ariel, my love,” her own eyes fill with tears now, “I’m so proud of

mu taare away

again, and then we take a few moments to wipe before we head off to breakfast. Before we go, I tuck the little notes left on my bed into the back pocket of my Cadet uniform and prepare to go negotiate with

thought it would, right from the start. It’s a short, unfrilled affair – just the 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

that after I fell asleep she probably spent every minute

who were injured in the Examination. I see the signs of it now that I look for them the slight circles under her eyes,

full of jokes and would just brush it off,

for the thousandth time to

as he offers me the basket of toast, which I grab perhaps too eagerly, loading up my plate

spilling from my mouth

at me, and I give him a little

our dad.

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

he continues, and I go very still, hope beginning to swell in me. Dad folds his hands, continuing to look at me evenly.