The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0710

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."

know how they'd know it, but

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

lifting my head and giving him a dubious look. "Those helicopters were well within range, I can't believe they

as he looks down

I say, screwing

they had you to make up for it," dad says, resting his forehead against mine. "You're not taking me

can

and letting my eyes drift shut again. "We have

me, darling, we are,"

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

a deep breath, listening to the slow and steady

know I

Not without knowing.

"Dad?" I whisper.

with

I shake my head. "I have to know.

open my eyes, looking up into his. But I know his answer before he

drawn. "We lost