The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Midnight's eyes go wide as she stares up at dad. "We do?"

"Yes," he says, nodding gravely and tilting his head towards the door. "Come on."

Jesse moves to stand up but dad puts a hand out towards him. "If Midnight is mature enough to enroll at this school then she's got to start to make her own decisions," dad says.

"Why?" Jesse asks, his brows knitting. "Ariel takes Jackson everywhere for moral support and no one protests. Mids," he says, fixing his eyes on her. "If you want me there, I'll come along."

"No," she says, her voice wavering a little as she looks between Jesse and dad. “I, um...yes. I'll come and talk to you. You're right, I have to start...standing on my own."

I gulp a little, thinking that Midnight has perhaps stood on her own for far too long. But still, I know dad will be kind to her, so I don't say anything. Dad nods seriously at Midnight and heads for the door. The young woman follows him outside, her curls bouncing.noveldrama

When the door shuts we all turn towards the window, watching them talk.

"Mom?" Rafe says, anxious. "What's this about?"

"He's telling her there's been a rule change," mom says quietly, likewise watching, her face as anxious as the rest of us. "Starting this fall, girls will be allowed to enroll in Alpha Academy if they can rank highly enough as a candidate, the same as any boy."

I gasp in delight, spinning my head to grin at her.

Mom takes a moment to flash a little smile at me before turning her eyes back to the window. “Yes, we talked about it at length and we believe it's right. The girls of Moon Valley can offer as much to our military as the boys. But," she says on a sigh, her tone dropping, "he's also telling Midnight that while her gender is acceptable, her connection to Darkness is not."

My heart drops, dread filling me as I realize the meaning behind her words.

Jesse groans, ducking his head into his hands.

"Shit," Rafe says on a sigh, shaking his head. "Midnight is...not going to like that."

His words are proved correct an

instant later as Midnight bursts into tears. Dad sighs and pulls the girl into a hug, holding her through her difficult emotions, looking through the window towards all of us with a grave expression.

I knock softly on my bedroom door, biting my lip, worried for Midnight. She and Jesse have been in there alone for about an hour now, talking things through. Mom and dad have left, headed back to the Capital on the night train.

Jackson, Marigold, and Rafe watch me from the living room, the remains of dinner spread out over our little coffee table. When no response comes from my knockl shrug at them, not knowing what to do Rafe waves his fingers at me, clearly telling me to try again.

"Mids?" I call, again knocking softly. "Um, can I come in?"

There's a pause. "It's your room, Ariel," comes a bitter little voice. "You can do whatever you want."

I sigh and twist the doorknob, pushing open the door and peeking inside.

Jesse and Midnight are both sitting on the bed, her pressed up against the headboard and him seated at

the bottom, his legs curled up beneath him. I sigh, seeing the

misery and confusion in botnet

Boel.n

of

them, and step into the room, leaning back against the door to press it shut.

"What's going on?" I ask softly, looking between them.

"Jesse's trying to talk me into giving away all my powers," Midnight says, glaring

at Jesse and pointing an accusing finger at him.

"Oh, I am not," Jesse says, sighing deeply and raising his eyes to me. "It's been... contentious."