The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0756

"Hi! Hi cuties!" Mom's voice rings out the moment the five of us troop into the room. The Captain enters too, going to stand out of sight in the corner. "It's so good to see you, I - oh!"

I frown when I see her go a bit still on the video screen, seated there next to Cora with dad and Roger standing behind them, bending down so that their faces are in the frame.

"What's wrong, mom?" I ask.

"It's not what's wrong with me, it's what's wrong with those two." She narrows her eyes and looks interestedly between Rafe and Jesse, who come to stand behind me. "What's wrong, boys?"

Neither Rafe nor Jesse say a word, each looking away. Cora grimaces, worried.

"There's no time for this," dad sighs, shaking his head and likewise peering at us from the screen as

Jackson goes to one knee at my side and Ben leans down on my other. "We have to -"

"Why are you all dressed up?" I ask, tilting my head, frowning at them. Every single one of them are in state dress, dad and Roger with black sashes across their chest. But why would they -

My mouth falls open as I realize what it must be.

leaning forward to peer at me. "We're sorry - we

after," dad snaps, nodding seriously to all of us. "And we want the five of

eyes go wide as I glance up at Rafe and Jesse, who look at each other for the first time. Whatever's going on between them, they're

going on, dad?" Rafe

his chest. "With what looks like everything they've got. We didn't expect an assault like this so soon but...if we don't meet them on the field they're going to bowl us right over. We even risk..." he sighs, pressing the bridge of his nose

don't share, but we risk having our borders breached for the first time. And if that

it will be...disastrous."

go very pale and very still. "We'll get on

that - I'm very powerful, they can put me at the center of

my father

makes me pause, and then

there, instantly, grasping my hand right back. My parents eyes see it - I know they do and a little smile comes

speaks what we're all thinking. "Can you do it, Ariel?" he asks

I don't know," I whisper, shaking my head, my gaze shifting to Cora, who

contemplative.

too, Roger," Cora murmurs, keeping her eyes on me. "Ella and I will need to experiment with Ariel to see what she's capable of. But even without the