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."

my chin. "I can live with that. And I'll give you children. Beautiful ones." I smirk

towards me, studying my face. "Our children will rule the world, Ariel, if you would just trust me to guide your life. To guide

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

says, standing and reaching a hand out for me. "It's a deal.

stand, looking up into his face.

slipping an arm around my waist and pulling me tight against him. "But I won't hurt you...much. And you will

I lean away, turning my face aside. "Please," beg, pressing my eyes shut, my right hand dipping again into the pocket of my apron. "I am not used to such

his left hand raising to brush at Luca's mark on

to look up at him

other mates

I say," I whisper.

to the

the place where the bond would be. She taps her

at the edge of his soul, ready to pounce on

raise my trembling hand towards his face. "Nothing

wolf holds out her nose

wolf, trembling a