The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

He smirks at me. "And why on earth would I agree to negotiate with you? I have you completely under my thumb."

I straighten my shoulders a little, pretending that it takes a bit of courage to do so. "You wish me docile, don't you, Gabriel? I can continue to make this hard or..." I shrug. "It could be pleasant."

Gabriel smirks at me like a man indulging a child and then moves to the table, lounging in his chair. Inwardly I roll my eyes at this smug prince who thinks he is completely in charge. I sit as well and take one of the wine glasses, lifting it towards him. "To your health, Prince."

He smirks at me. "I don't drink from glasses I haven't prepared for myself. Or haven't you heard that there is someone on the loose, killing Princes?"

I stare at him a little for a moment, letting him wonder at my motives, and then I shrug and take a sip of the wine. "The death of the Crown Prince seems to be in your favor, Alpha. And it puts me in a much more interesting position."

"Oh, really?" he asks, a bit dry. "How so?"

"You think you know me," I snap, putting my wine back down on the table, pretending an anger I don't feel. "But have you not considered that I have also long been second in line to the throne? And that I, too, might have wanted it for myself?"

Gabriel raises his eyebrow at me. "What are you saying, Princess?"

"I'm saying that I want this war done," I snap, slapping my hand on the table and pretending to be the foolish girl he expects me to be, playing at negotiation with a prince. "And if you were to become King, and to end it the war..." I shrug. "I might enjoy being Queen of a peaceful nation. Even if it were Atalaxia."

He raises his eyebrow at me. "So that's your offer? Become King, end the war, and you'll rule peacefully at my side? Or, not precisely at my side." He smirks. "At my foot, perhaps."

live with that. And I'll give you children. Beautiful

leans across the table towards me, studying my face. "Our children will rule the world, Ariel, if you

I pretend it's temptation, letting my eyes move across his face, down to

out for me. "It's a deal. We'll seal it with a

to hesitate and then stand, looking

and pulling me tight against

lowers his face towards me but I lean away, turning my face aside. "Please," beg, pressing my eyes shut, my right hand dipping again

his left hand raising to

my head to look up at him

doe eyes My other mates are weak-willed. They follow

say," I whisper. In

creeps close to the abyss between my soul

place where the bond would be. She taps her feet, anxious and curious,

like me?" Gabriel asks, smug, a growl forming in his throat as his wolf appears at the edge of

word as I raise my trembling hand towards his

holds out

wolf,