The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 850

“But the corruption will spread,” Elias says, kneeling down on Gabriel’s other side and reaching across him to squeeze my shoulder. “It’s not worth it, Ariel – what I watched Gabriel go through? I can’t watch you do it too.”

“Corruption?” Ben asks, his voice suddenly frantic. “What are you talking about?”

“I’ve come this far,” I say with a sigh, shaking my head at him. “No time like the present. And if it starts to corrupt, I can always just…break the bond.”

I sigh, looking down at Gabriel, hoping desperately that it’s true.

“Ariel, please,” Elias begs.

But it’s too late.

I say a little prayer to my grandmother for protection, and close my eyes, and give my wolf a little nod. She stands at the edge of my soul and lifts her nose high, proud and regal, her pretty rose-gold fur blowing in some phantom wind.

And then we accept the bond, which snaps into place between my soul and Gabriel’s.

His wolf shifts in his place sunk deep in the oil, eager, hungry. My wolf steps back, afraid and ready to run. I tense, both in my body and in my soul, ready to break the bond – to reject him – to flee…

But Gabriel’s wolf collapses back into the oil, unable to stir.

I open my eyes in the Land of Darkness and find Gabriel’s eyes fluttering open, searching for me. His mouth moves, making shapes, perhaps trying to say my name. And guilt rushes through me as I feel, anew, his pain – his physical pain, and his emotional agony.

God, how horrible, how terrible – the corruption just clangs through him. How can he have survived this for years?

“Oh, Gabriel,” I murmur, reaching out and stroking a hand over his hair. “You poor thing.”

He moans a little, turning his head towards my hand, even though I’m not sure he’s fully conscious.

“What’s happening?” Ben asks, tense.