The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy
Chapter 0496

"I delt with it," I say, straightening my shoulders, frowning at my brother and my cousin. They both look up at me. "As best as I could, I delt with it. I did what I had to do to stay in the school, keep my secret, and keep myself protected." They both stare at me for a long moment before Rafe nods, tacitly acknowledging that there wasn't much else I could do that my route, as much as he doesn't like it, was probably the most effective one. Jackson tightens his arms around me slightly, lending me his warmth and support.

"Okay, fine," Jesse sighs, raising a hand and brushing it once, roughly, over his sleepy eyes. "No sense in making any of us feel guilty for what's passed. What do we do now?"

"We tell mom and dad," Rafe says immediately. "Get him fired."

"Don't you think that's hasty?" Jacks asks.

"No," Rafe replies, snapping his head up to glare at him. "Are you seriously telling me that -"

"Slow down, Rafe," Jacks snaps, frowning at my brother. "You're jumping to conclusions because you're pissed. Just...let me explain."

Rafe growls a little, deep in his chest, but acquiesces a moment later. I suppress a smile as my wolf dances a little inwardly, some part of me a little pleased to see my big tough brother put in his place. I mean, I love Rafe, but he does kind of barrel through conversations when he's lost his temper like this - and it's kind of nice to have someone around who's not afraid to counter him.

"I do want Alvez gone," Jackson says, glancing at me. "I think he's dangerous and I don't think Ariel should have to put up with his shit anymore. But I want to know what's going on with him and his ability to - I don't know, distract everyone? Or at least, some of us? There's something to it, but to me it feels like...magic."

Jackson frowns, looking to me for support, asking silently if I feel the same. I nod, agreeing, and turn my attention to Rafe and Jesse. "I would also like to know before he's gone," I say, firm. "Besides, guys, he's such a crap professor - honestly, there has to be someone who can better help you figure out your magic a little more quickly."

"Well," Rafe says, glancing at Jesse, "I think it's fair to say that none of us ever liked him, but I'm amenable to the idea of figuring out what's going on with this...distraction thing, if that's what we're calling it. But what do you think it is? Is he like, intentionally blocking some of us, and letting others in?"

"But why would he let Tony see?" I ask, frowning at the idea.

"Is it like, some people's magic lets them see it?" Jesse offers, tilting his head to the side. But then he frowns at Jacks, clearly wondering why Jackson could see, as Jesse still doesn't know about Jackson's access to his gifts.

"No, Ella was fooled too," Jacks says, sighing and crossing his arms as he leans back against the couch, cleverly finding another way to end this supposition without spilling his secret.

The boys nod, taking the point, and then four of us are quiet for a moment together, sitting in the dark in our pajamas in our Castle tower, thinking over our options. And even as I know that this is serious and upsetting, a little spark of happiness dances in my soul because...I really like my life. And I like that Jackson is here, and that my brother and my cousin are so eager to stand up for me.

I'm just...really, really lucky.

"I think we should set a trap," Rafe says suddenly, drawing my attention back to him.

"A trap!?" I ask, sitting up straight in surprise.

"I mean, not a complicated one. I just think we want answers to these questions, sooner rather than later," Rafe says, nodding to me. "I think we need to get Alvez alone with the four of us and that the easiest way to do that is to...get him alone in his office. Let's wait for him to ask you for the private tutoring or whatever, Ari. Then, when he's in here waiting at the arranged time, we all show up."