The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 828

Pippa fusses over me when we leave the bathroom, chattering about my poor bruised jaw and how we’re going to cover that up with makeup. But I sit down on my bed and make a big show of yawning, wanting a minute alone to catch my proverbial breath and better hide my new weapon. As I lean back against my pillows, though, something crinkles beneath me in a very non-fabric-y way.

It takes all of my willpower not to let my eyes fly wide, to grab at whatever little piece of paper is there. Instead, I just lean more fully back and stretch my arms over my head.

“Oh, you poor dear,” Pippa murmurs, noticing finally. “I’ll leave you for a little, perhaps? So you can take a nap? I’m always sleepy on the first day of my confinement.”

“Perhaps a nap would be best,” I sigh, letting my eyes fall half-shut. Inwardly, my wolf howls our victory and hops from foot to foot in her eagerness to get started on our plans. But as Pippa comes close and fluffs my pillows a bit, I frown at her. “Pippa, do you seriously do this every month? Just…sit alone for two full days?”

“Is your cycle only two days?” she asks, looking at me with wide eyes.

I blush a little but shrug, admitting it, knowing that I’m luckier than others. But otherwise I just look at her, waiting for an answer.

“Yes, I do it,” she sighs, shaking her head a little as she does. “Not that Elias ever cares or follows the rules. He always sneaks in and spends nights together with me as usual – it would be very dull to be without him at night.”

I smile a little, loving the closeness of their friendship, but also wondering…

Well. Wondering what’s going to happen when Ben comes on the scene. Because I’m not foolish enough to think that Ben just came to Atalaxia to help me. No, he’s been worried about Elias for months, working hard to study Atalaxian history and political theory so that he could be an ambassador and come here.

But his coming here and finding his mate…is it going to destroy Pippa’s life? She is, after all, having a child with this man who is clearly her best friend.

“Would Elias get in trouble?” I ask quietly. “If he were found breaking your confinement?”

“Oh, the men don’t actually get in trouble for anything,” she murmurs, frustrated, as she straightens up and puts her hands on her hips. “Honestly, I’d probably get in more trouble for tempting him. But we’re pregnant now, which means we’re not so closely watched.”