The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 799

I bury my scowl at the prospect of meeting my enemy and nod to Gabriel, letting my face break into a pretty smile like I’m excited about it. Gabriel stares at me for a moment, I think surprised, and then breaks into a dark laugh, shaking his head as he leads me away. “You can drop the front around me, Ariel,” he murmurs, wrapping my arm tight in his so that I walk close at his side. “Though it is good around everyone else. Yes, let the court believe you docile and sweet.”

“There is no front, highness,” I say, quite light, smiling and nodding to those around us who take a moment to nod to me. “I’m very pleased to be here. You’ve saved me from the tyranny of my home land.”

He huffs a laugh and glances down at me again. “Lies. I know you for the patriot you are, Ariel.”

“Patriot I might be,” I say, raising my eyes to his. “But it doesn’t mean I can’t believe that some things are done better here in Atalaxia. We could benefit from your influence, especially in terms of our social structure and family lives.”

Gabriel studies my face, I think honestly considering whether or not I mean that. And inwardly I shout my thanks to Faiza, because every inch of it was a wretched lie.

There’s no time to talk on it further, though, as we arrive at the throne.

“Behave yourself,” Gabriel snaps, his voice a harsh whisper, his arm tightening harshly on mine. “If you do anything to embarrass yourself, Juniper will pay.”

I take a deep breath and nod, letting him know that I consent. For Juniper and Jesse – just in case he does have them – but also for myself. Because this plays into my plans as well.

I focus on the man in front of me, taking in the richly-adorned King, an old man – much older than my father – who sits straight in his throne. He frowns, suspicious and disapproving, as his eyes sweep over my form. And even though I don’t dare look at anything else, I don’t miss – in the corner of my vision – that a photographer steps forward and begins taking pictures.

Good, I think. Good. Let this all go to the press.

Behind the King stands a young man whose familial relationship to Gabriel and Elias could not be clearer. I recognize him instantly, of course – the Crown Prince. The crowned young man I last saw in my own Palace before Midwinter.

And, as it was then, his wolf is wrong. Wrong, wrong. I can smell it on him, sense it. Even if I cannot see his wolf in the same way that I see Gabriel’s, I know that it’s the same. Wrong, corrupted.

And so, I realize as I focus my eyes on the monarch, is the King’s.