The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 785

Steady and bold, I walk back to the bathroom door, slipping an elaborate blue brocade robe off of a hook and slipping it over my arms. As I tie the belt around my waist, I let myself slip into that Cream Puff Princess attitude that Faiza and I spent hours practicing.

Dumb as a rock, I say to myself, emptying my mind of anger and violence and pain. Pretty as a picture. No thoughts, just a desire to please.

I paste my best Princess smile on my mouth, but then alter it slightly, reminding myself that I’m not supposed to be deranged. That I’m also scared, and new to this world, even if I’m going to pretend to be happy to be here.

“You saved me,” I whisper to myself, practicing my lines as they come to me. “Thank god, you saved me and took me away from that horrible world.”

And then exhaling deeply, I push open the bathroom door and step into the room.

Of course, all of my plans to play Princess Cupcake are immediately wiped from my mind the moment I step into the room and see the couple standing before me.

“Ariel!” Pippa says, turning to me and clasping her hands sweetly under her chin, giving me a bright smile. “Oh, that color looks lovely on you – I thought it might. Do you – would you like some coffee?” She asks, eager, gesturing towards the little table they’ve set up with a nice spread of breakfast supplies.

But her smile begins to waver when I don’t say anything, just staring slack-mouthed at the man she said was her Alpha.

Because I recognize him.

Of course I do – I’d recognize him anywhere, both by his face and by the way my wolf perks up, sniffing the air between us, even as that same shudder passes through me as it did that day, so close to Midwinter, when he’d stood in my palace across the room from me. Next to that horrible one with the crown.

But this one – I know instantly that it’s him. Elias. The cute one.

It’s…it’s Ben’s mate.

And…he really, really is cute.

But I turn my head as I stare at him because…am I mistaken? And why did I never notice it before? That this man – Ben’s mate – the cute one…does he…does he suddenly look a great deal like Tony? I mean, Elias’s eyes are a bright and shining blue – Tony’s were grey – but that lanky frame and that dark hair…

Elias shakes me out of my reverie when he gives me a warm smile and steps close to Pippa, slipping an arm around her waist.

“Hello, Ariel,” he says, his eyes crinkling a little at the corners with what looks like real pleasure to see me, the same way Tony’s did. “I’m so sorry you’re here on such terrible terms but…it really is wonderful to meet you.”