The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

I allow a tiny smile to find my lips as my eyes move over Elias's tense face. He holds my gaze, determined and afraid, and I decide suddenly that he's...either an excellent actor or very, very earnest. "He's fine," I whisper, nodding quietly to this Atalaxian prince. Immediately, the tension goes out of his shoulders and he exhales a long breath. "He's fine, Elias. Totally fine."

He nods, sharp, and looks down at the table as color flushes in his cheeks. "Please. How do you know he's fine?"

"Because I saw him yesterday," I say quietly, still studying him. "His name is Ben. He's one of my best friends.

A shudder passes through Elias's shoulders and he raises a hand to his face, covering his eyes. As Elias takes a moment to compose himself I try to think like Faiza, try to understand the stakes here. Because on one hand, Elias could be a man who just shoved a pitcher of cream off the table so his Luna would leave the room, so he could ask me the burning questions he's had about his mate for...months. On the other hand, if the Atlaxians are clever - and they are clever, no matter how much I despise the men who control this nation - then couldn't they put this man here? With this very sad story, just to gain my trust? To play the role of the unhappily married man whose mate is in Moon Valley, just to tug on my heart strings, to see him as my ally? I tilt my head, considering this, considering Elias, wondering - really - what is his stake in this conversation?

Still, my wolf nudges me inside. Except, she urges, we know that Ben is his mate. He can't fake that. You know how you feel about your mates - the connection...it trumps all else.

But allegiance to a nation? Would it...would it trump that? Would my allegiance to Jackson be stronger than my dedication to Moon Valley?

My wolf whines, uneasy and unsure.noveldrama

I sigh briefly through my nose, confused. But there's hardly any time to think on it as Elias again raises his head. "Thank you, Ariel," he says, quite soft, meeting my eyes. "I am eternally grateful to you for telling me that. It has been...a strain on my heart. You didn't have to tell me anything at all – especially considering the horrible way that Gabriel snatched you away from everyone you love - and yet you're kind enough to assure me that my mate is well. You're a kind person."

I blink passively at Elias, determined to continue playing dumb and pretty, pretending most of that went over my head. But still, I need information, and Elias - he seems like he knows a great deal about what's going on here.

"Why...why did they take me away from my family?" I ask quietly, shaking my head at him. "I mean, I am grateful to meet my mate -"

Elias smirks, either seeing through the lie or quietly suggesting that I patently should not be.

"- but surely there were other ways to do it? Especially if...he is determined to make me his Luna?" Softly, I shake my head. "My father isn't going to respond lightly on a man who did not ask for his permission." Elias sighs and shakes his head. "You can ask more blandly than you are, Ariel," he says, looking seriously into my eyes. "This naïve Princess act - it will be good for the rest of the court, but I promise - you don't need to do it with me. I'm well aware of who you are - and Gabriel is too. Your cousin's mate made sure of that."

"My cousin's mate?" I snap out, leaning forward, narrowing my eyes. "Do you - do you know something..."

Elias shakes his head, reading the panic in my words. "If something happened to Jesse, I don't know what it is. What I meant is...well, I don't know if you know this, but

mate is a creature of Darkness e

She's@very proficient shadow mage who has been using her skills to spy on, all of you for weeks. Whatever she knows, Gabriel knows too. Which is how we know that those flames in this battle and the last were yours, and no one else's."

Inwardly I scowl, but outwardly I keep my face plain, giving nothing away.

Elias smirks at me. "You'll be glad to

know," he says quietly, taking another sip of his coffee, "that

you've really pissed off my uncle and my cousin - the King, and his heir. You completely wiped out our air force with that final blaze - so well done on that. They're scrambling, nów, to figure out how to continue the assault on Moon Valley without one."