The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy



Jackson and I stare at mom in shock and she sighs.

"I guess it's time," she murmurs, petting my face softly, "to fill you in on a little thing that happened the day you were born." And then my mother tells me a story that makes my jaw fall open in shock - of how the God of Darkness apparently pulled her aside into another realm and gave to me...this thing that I've been holding, apparently, since the day I was born.

"But he assures me it was a gift," mom says, a little desperate.

“And you...believe him?" I ask, horrified.noveldrama

"Baby," mom says, stroking her hands again over my hair. "It's...you kind of had to be there - he insisted it was a blessing and not a curse. Plus, it passed through me to get to you - you weren't born yet, and I felt it. It's not that Gods can't lie, my love, it's just that...why would they bother? Whatever he gave you..." she bites her lip and gives a helpless shrug. "I'm sorry, darling. I know that it's new and it's frightening but..." she sighs and places her hands again on my cheeks, letting her healing magic sweep through me. "I've been scanning you for this ever since you were a little girl, and sweetheart...there is no true darkness in you. My love," she looks at me quite seriously. "Whatever this is...I don't think that it's bad. I think that it's yours."

I look down at myself, trying to see through myself to this new...gift, whatever it is. This thing I absolutely do not understand. "But if he gave me a gift, why was he such a jerk all semester?" I murmur, shaking my head.

Mom laughs and I look up to see her shaking her own. "We can't understand these Gods' emotions, sugar. Plus...I get the impression that he is deeply bitter that your grandmother left him. It's complicated."

“Oh, gross,” I say, my shoulders falling as I realize something. "Oh, gross, mom - grandma's ex husband kissed me to wake this thing up —“ Mom bursts out laughing, rocking back with it.

"Gross," I continue, sticking out my tongue and looking over at Jacks, "my sort-of Grandpa...and it was not like, a chaste little kiss..." Jackson's eyes narrow, a growl rumbling in his chest at the idea.

And something about this - Jackson jealous of a God, ready to rip him to shreds for kissing me, brings a small smile to my face.

"Just try not to think about it too much, kiddo," mom says, wrapping me up in a hug and pressing a kiss to my hair.

"Done and done," I mutter, putting the thought from my mind with a shudder. Mom stands up, smoothing her hands down over her shirt and looking towards the door when a hesitant knock comes at the door.

"I am so sorry," Cora says, slipping the door open and looking between the three of us. "But Ella...they've told me that they want us to leave now. That if we don't, we'll have to wait until morning."

My mom turns back to Jackson and I, looking between us, biting her lip as if she's seriously considering it - and I see in that instant that she will stay, for me, if I ask her now.

"Go, mama," I say quietly, standing and doing my best to paste a smile on my face as I give her shoulder a little shove. "Go back to dad and protect my Junie. I like her now, after all."

Mom grins and then wraps her arms around me. "love you so much, little baby trouble,” she whispers, holding me tight. And take care of your brother he puts up a big front like your dad but...there's a big meatball heart under all that stoicism and

muscle. He needs love too."

I whisper my promise that I will and mom moves on to Jackson, who bends low to pull mom into a tight hug. "Well see you soon?" he asks.

"Yes, sweet boy," she says, pulling back and patting him on the cheek, giving him a beautiful smile. “Take care of my girlie."

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"With my life," he says, dipping into a little bow that has absolutely no irony as mom steps away to the door. I move quickly to Jackson's side, watching mom and Cora go, blowing us kisses as they do

And then it's just me and Jacks, all alone.

swno