The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

I land back in my bed happier than I've ever been in Atalaxia. Because I have a plan now, and my big sweet mate waiting for me on the other side. Yes, by this time tomorrow hopefully we'll all be out of this and I'll be on my way home.

Humming, I hope out of bed and move into the bathroom to take a shower, eager to get the smell of Jackson off of me and hide all my clothes deep in the hamper so that no one knows where I've been all night.

When Pippa comes in about an hour later with my breakfast tray, I wave merrily to her. She stops a bit in her tracks and I scold myself, remembering that I have to

be Ariel of last night, who was confused and hopeless and scared.

"Did you sleep?" Pippa asks, pushing the door shut as I move to the little breakfast table by the door.

I shrug, implying that I did not. Which is true! "I'm okay. How are you?" I look at her as she pours my coffee, truly worried when I note the exhaustion of her features, the worried lines of her face.

"It's hard, Ariel," Pippa says on a heavy sigh. "Elias and I...don't know what to do."

We spend the morning together, then, with Pippa spilling out her heart and her worries to me. I do my very best to pay attention, to listen as intently as Jackson does to me, but the whole time I have to admit that my mind is whirring on my plan. How am I going to get clothing suitable for a journey home? My period should end today – thank god - but do I need to pack any supplies? In what will I pack them?

-

"Well, I should get back," Pippa sighs a little later, standing and smoothing her hands down over her dress as she glances towards the door. I grimace inwardly at myself, feeling incredibly guilty for not truly listening and being a good friend. "Is there anything that you need today?"

"Do you think you could...send Gabriel to

her head back to me.

"He's my

Pippa breathes, leaning forward and shaking her head at me. "I do...I do not think that is a good

I whisper. "Just...trust me. This is

with that same mix of hesitance and wonder that Jackson gives

I say, giving a steady nod. "Sometime

during that meeting, okay?" She points towards the bell pull in the corner

I smile back at her, thinking that I'm very well aware of

I'm depending

"Hello, mate."

he comes into my room a few hours later. He quietly presses the door shut behind

get to

pockets of the pinafore apron that I'm wearing over my simple blue dress. "Hello,

the room to me. "Why are

and shrug. "It's practical.