The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

“I should have killed you on that battlefield,” the King of Atalaxia snarls, his eyes focused on me, "instead of listening to this foolish boy when he said he could

control you."

The King moves slowly across the room, black lightening flickering in his hands as he approaches. I take a gasping step back, reaching for Jackson, who I know is there. I can feel his fury as he presses me to his chest for a single instant before moving me gently to the side, starting to tuck me behind his back.

"She is my luna," Gabriel snarls. "I do control her!" He does his best to stand alone on shaky legs, though I can tell by his gasping breaths that he's in no position to be standing, let alone fighting. Guilt sweeps through me because this is my fault - the poison has made him so weak -

"You have control?" the King snaps, his lightening flashing out behind him to slam the door shut in the faces of the dozen soldiers who stand there, wide-eyed. "Such control that our protective barrier has fallen? Such control that Moon Valley jets are on their way now to drop their bombs on us?"

I go pale at this, because - would my father do that? Bomb a palace full of innocents, just to kill this King?

"I am in charge here," Gabriel growls, glancing over at me. Down our bond I feel our first communication – stilted and unsteady - but a clear request to play along.

I nod to him, subtle, and pass the communication to Jacks.

Jacks gives his answer back instantly. No.

"You are a fool," the King growls, reaching out a hand towards Gabriel, the black lightening swarming there. "A fool and a murderer - you took my son, you ceded your control to this bitch – and for that you will die –“

The lightening flashes out all through the room and I scream -

But to my shock it does not burn, instead binding me - binding me to my place in the room, to the floor, each of my limbs locked so that I cannot move. My eyes were already turned towards Gabriel so I can see that he is the same - locked in place, completely at this King's mercy -

I try to cry out, but no sound emerges -noveldrama

I try to tilt, to go to the Dark realm, to escape - but nothing -

Terror sweeps though me as the King advances on Gabriel, pulling a knife from his belt, clearly intent on delivering death to his heir.

But a sudden roar fills the room and behind me I feel Jackson move - feel him shift -

His wolf's form bounds past me in an instant, completely unbound and aiming right for the king, his fangs bared. If I could gasp or scream in shock I would, but all I can do is watch from the corner of my eye as the King spins towards my mate, raising his dagger high in the air as he emits a terrified scream -

But it's too late.

Jackson's knife-tipped paws hit the King's shoulders, taking him fast to the ground. And then Jackson's teeth are in the King's neck.

I know the moment it is done, when the magic releases me and I stumble forward.

Gabriel falls hard to his knees with a groan and I dash to him, though my eyes are on Jackson as he snarls down at the King, at the ragged hole in his neck, at his dead eyes, royal blood dripping from my mate's fangs.

"Oh...oh my god," Gabriel whispers as Jackson shifts back, his chest heaving with breath and adrenaline, turning towards us with blood dripping down his chin and over his shirt.

Jackson snarts, more wolf than man just now as he strides for me, even though he's in his human form. He holds a hand out, a demand, and take it He pulls me to my feet, looking me over, a snarl still slipping through his teeth.

A pulse of emotion comes down the bond - a question - needing to know that I'm

all right.

I nod to him, shaken and afraid but fine.

"Let's go," he orders, low and grim.

"We can't leave him," I whisper, gesturing down at Gabriel.

"He is a King now," Jackson snaps, glaring down at Gabriel, a sneer on his lips.

"Let him face his own people and whatever retribution they have for him."

I hesitate only a second before I nod, looking back down at Gabriel. "I have to go,"

I say, taking another step towards Jackson.

Gabriel gapes at me, his heart clearly breaking. Because our bond - it is intact. And even if I am thoroughly irrevocably dedicated to Jackson now to Jackson alone - my wolf

still owls at the thought of leaving him.

"Please," Gabriel says, shaking his head, begging. "Please, don't go -" Jackson snarls and pulls me closer to his side.

I sigh and reach up for Jackson's face. He flinches away at first, still feeling very murderous - not at all in the mood to be cosseted - but he checks himself a moment later and ducks his head, submitting to my caress.