The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"Ariel," dad says, his voice low with warning. Rafe, Mark, and Jesse sit very quiet on the couch, looking between us.

But I ignore all of them, shifting my eyes to mom. "And what about everything you were saying this morning," I snap, vanishing my flame away. "About being able to have it all, to not have to limit myself simply because I'm pregnant?"

"Baby, I meant every word of that," mom says, pressing her hands to her heart, her eyes going wide. "But you have to acknowledge the reality that your life is different now - your life is going to change in a very physical way. And if your first pregnancy is anything like mine, you may need a great deal of bed rest! Why don't you simply...delay your education until the girls are born? Take a minute to

"If I stop now," I say, my voice getting creaky with sadness and worry, "I won't go back - how many women does this happen to? Who say 'oh I'm going to just take a step away for a moment,' and then they never go back? Why not do it now!? Just finish while I'm pregnant and the babies are young enough to sleep most of the day -"

"You're underestimating how much care and dedication an infant needs, Ariel," dad says, his voice stern but full of feeling. "Let alone two of them. The Academy is a dangerous place - you were injured and nearly died there several times -"

"So, I won't do any of the physical stuff!" I blurt out, desperate. "I'll - I'll just do the book learning!" I hesitate for a second. "And the sniping!"

"Yes, always a great idea to bring the infant children around the gigantic gun," Rafe says, going for some humor to lighten the situation. I spin my head to glare at him and he grimaces, putting his hands up in apology.

when the world finds out about your pregnancy you're immediately going to be a target for kidnapping and ransom," dad says.

I look around at Rafe and Jesse and Jackson. All of the air and fury goes out of me,

in one great gush and step away from him, feeling completely betrayed.

whisper, staring at my mate who so, so clearly agrees with my dad and everyone else in the room. Who doesn't want me to go back to the Academy

Jackson says softly, his voice terribly

me to back

and steps close. "I - I just want you to be safe want you all to be safe And you nearly died over and over again at the Academy. I could barely protect you - and so frequently I couldn't. And now that I have four?" He shakes his head, looking at me with such pleading in his eyes, wanting me

I just drop my gaze to the floor, not wanting him to see my tears

against me and no one understands that I can do this. That I don't want to give up everything I've worked so hard for just because the Goddess decided it was time for me to get knocked up. It's

working hard to keep my tears from falling, not wanting Marigold to

Ariel," mom says softly, her voice trembling. Jackson reaches out and

to come

away, not wanting that