The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"Is this your other mate?" the girl asks me, wandering over to look down at

Gabriel. Then she looks up at Elias. "Or is it that one?"

Elias laughs a little and shakes his head as Jacks, Ben, Jesse, and I join the two of them, forming a semicircle around Gabriel's body.

"It's that one," I say, gesturing to Gabriel as we all look down at him.

Midnight in particular looks back and forth between Jackson and Gabriel, and I grin as I watch her, not fully understanding this strange little creature but liking her immediately. "Hmm," Midnight says, considering. "I mean, the one on the ground is very fancy, but Jackson is certainly better looking. You should pick him."

I burst out laughing. Inwardly, Jackson's wolf preens even if his face shows none of his pride and pleasure at Midnight's words.

"I'm not sure Gabriel is at his best right now,” I say, sinking to my knees by the Prince's side, a hand going to his throat as I check his pulse. "I've just poisoned him with cyanide, after all."

"Eh, I still think Jacks is better," Midnight says, crossing her arms and giving a steady nod, decided. "I am Midnight," she says, almost as an afterthought. "You are pleased to meet me."

I laugh, a bit delighted. "Yes, I am. I'm Ariel, Jesse's cousin."

"I know," she says, grinning at me and then turning her gaze to Jesse. "I like her better than the rat."

"I'm sure the rat will be devastated," Jesse replies, dry.

"What?" Ben asks, confused. "There's a rat?"

"Listen this is all...very nice," Elias says, a little awkward. "But my brother is dying - and even if he's been horrible lately, I...might prefer if he didn't? If there's something we can do to help him?"

"Oh, right!" I say, gasping a little in surprise at how quickly I forgot everything in my shock at Jesse's arrival. "Jacks?" I say, reaching up for him, wanting his hand.

He sighs and snarls a bit, but crouches down and gives it to me, knowing what it is I'm intending to do now and not wanting much of a part of it. "Can't we just kill him?"noveldrama

"No, baby," I say, patting his hand and shifting my eyes back to Gabriel. "Not right now. Maybe later."

A little wordless grumble passes through Jacks but he doesn't fight me on it. "Um," I say, glancing up at everyone around us. "I'll...be back in a minute." "Where are you going?" Jesse asks, his face scrunching in confusion.

"Inside," I say. And then I close my eyes, sighing but a breath, and shift my focus inward as I reach out my other hand and place it across the bare skin of Gabriel's throat. Then, once have skin contact with two of my mates, I shift my focus to the mark Luca left on my neck and pull on all three magics at once.

Instantly, the magic sings within me, all of the pieces finally coming together like they've been waiting ages to do so. I feel Gabriel's wolf shift in his dark oil, and Jackson gasps, and I do wonder if somewhere on earth - in another Universe - Luca stands up straight, feeling it too. But I can't concentrate on that now because there's a great deal of fuel at my fingertips now, and oxygen, and finally...a spark.

The three come together in my soul just as a great swell of joy passes through me. I feel them combust, feel them join together in the tiny conflagration - a sacred fire warm and delicious.

A collective gasp runs through our little gathered circle - Gabriel excluded - and when I open my eyes there's no surprise in my expression - just bliss.

Because I already knew it would be there.

The little blue flame flickering in the air, floating about a foot in front of my face.

“Hello, you,” I coo, leaning forward to beam at the little fire – at the manifestation of my Grandmother's gift which is now, finally, complete. "Aren't you special?"