The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0958

"Okay, okay,” I say, smiling at Pippa, giving her hand one last squeeze. "Good luck, Pips! I'll be right outside the door!"

Pippa gives me a nod and a smile, her face flushed and sweaty. She squeezes my hand back. "See you in a minute, Ari," she says, turning away to Elias and my mom and Cora – Alpha, magical healer, and OBGYN - who will be staying in the room for the birth.

I sigh, stepping away, biting my lip, desperately wanting to stay -

"Out, Ari," mom says, flashing me a grin and pointing towards the door as Cora leans towards Pippa with a watch in her hand, timing her contractions and murmuring to her that it's time to push.

"Oh fine!" I sigh, scowling at my mother and turning towards the door, flouncing out with a pout readily on my mouth. I sigh, pulling the door shut behind me, knowing that my presence isn't necessary but really, really wanting to be there.

"How is she?"

I jump a little, turning in surprise to the croaking voice, my eyes widening in surprise when I see Mark and Benny sitting on the hallway floor, each of them looking mildly miserable and worried.

"She's fine," I say, flashing a smile at Ben. But then I turn to Mark and frown. "What on earth are you still doing here?" I ask, crossing the hall and squeezing in between them.

Mark sighs, scootching to the side a little bit to make room for me. "Don't ask, Ari, okay?" he murmurs, looking down at his knees, clearly miserable.

stare at him, baffled, but Ben gives

to my friend, confused, but he just shakes his head gently at me, urging to do as Mark asks. I frown at Ben, not getting it, spinning my head

even care!? Ben's presence and worry I get -

But Mark

be this worried about a girl

my eyes go wide, my wolf leaping to

But no way -

No way -

he's just a baby...and

this time, and by instinct I

a scowl. Because, honestly, that kind

this time, intuiting what I've intuited and letting me know that it

sigh,

letting him feel my support even as

myself at the moment, I am rarely

Markie, my baby? For him, I can

focus on Ben's face. He grins at me, seeing the effort it's taking. "Pippa's fine.