The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"Ariel," my mom calls after me. "Please, come and talk to us -"

"It's time for the meeting anyway, Ella," dad murmurs. "She needs space to think and we don't have any more time to talk."

As I head into the darkness of the hall Jackson's voice appears in my mind, soft and apologetic.

Do you want me to come and talk to you? Please - I'm having trouble understanding what's best right now.

I sigh, holding Goldie closer, and send Jackson a little pulse of love down our bond. Because I'm angry and frustrated and feel betrayed, but he's still my mate, and he's just expressing his opinion on what he thinks will be best for our tiny family. His first instinct, after all, is to protect us.

No, I respond back to Jackson, mind-to-mind, doing my best to sound cheerful and not be curt. You go...have your meeting. It's important. I'll just...take care of Marigold.

I can almost feel Jackson sigh as I open the door to the room and step inside, because he's well aware that we've just fallen into some gendered roles that we've never, ever subscribed to before. And he knows I'm not happy about it.

But I grin at Goldie and wrinkle my nose at her, not wanting her to see or feel any of it. Because the opportunity for an afternoon alone with my daughter - that's never a bad thing, is it?

"Should we order up a big breakfast, Golds?" I whisper, conspiratorial. "All the good stuff, nothing healthy?"

She beams at me and nods eagerly. I laugh, hoisting my daughter higher on my hip and heading over to the intercom to place our order.

Marigold and I have a very nearly perfect day together. We eat a big breakfast with chocolate-chip pancakes and a side of gummy worms. Then we have more bath time, which she loves, and for the first time I get to pick out an outfit with my little girl and dress her up for her day, an experience that...really demonstrates why my mom loves shopping so much.

Then we go and spend a long, leisurely day in the park with a picnic lunch. Mark comes too, which means our body guards can stand further back, and my baby brother keeps me laughing all day with his high spirits and silly sense of humor. He shows Marigold all of the miniature houses he made and hung for the squirrels, all connected with an intricate series of tiny wooden bridges that delight her.

And as perfect as the day is, the entire time is run through with a dreadful feeling in my soul that...everything has changed and is beyond my control now. That in falling pregnant I've lost authority over my life, just when I'd honestly felt like I'd finally gained it. My wolf presses herself warm against my heart, giving me a sad little howl in support, letting me know that she feels it too and encouraging me not to give up hope.

When we get back to the palace in the evening the family apartments are quiet, suggesting that the business with the Community is continuing.

Mark looks at me anxiously, but also glances at the door.noveldrama

"Oh, go on," say, laughing a little and giving him a shove on the shoulder with my free hand, the other supporting Marigold as she drowses against my shoulder. "You don't have to babysit me."

"I can though,” Marks says, shrugging sympathetically. "I love you, Ari. I don't want

to leave you alone if you're all upset."

"I'm not alone though, right?" I say, smiling at my little girl who yawns and snuggles closer to me.

"Love you, sis," Mark says, stepping close and pressing a kiss to my cheek.

I tell Mark that love him too and

then laugh and give him another. shove away, sending him off to

do...well, whatever it is that Market

does. Then I take Goldie into my room, settling her down in her bed for a little nap before dinner.

When the door to my room finally opens again, the sun has long gone down.

Marigold and I are cuddled up in the window seat, a soft blanket wrapped around both of us, reading one of the picture books that Jesse borrowed from Seraphina.

"Dad!" Marigold whispers, turning her head towards him, a big smile spreading across her face.

Jackson can't help his returning

smile, even if the rest of his face and

his stance are very serious. He

sighs, closing the door and leaning

back against it, taking a moment to just look at us.

"Hey, Jacks," I say softly, reaching a hand out for him, my heart filling at the sight

of my gorgeous sweetheart mate, all mine. "Come see us."

Jackson sighs and pushes himself up from the door, crossing the room to me.