The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"Okay, okay,” I say, smiling at Pippa, giving her hand one last squeeze. "Good luck, Pips! I'll be right outside the door!"

Pippa gives me a nod and a smile, her face flushed and sweaty. She squeezes my hand back. "See you in a minute, Ari," she says, turning away to Elias and my mom and Cora – Alpha, magical healer, and OBGYN - who will be staying in the room for the birth.

I sigh, stepping away, biting my lip, desperately wanting to stay -

"Out, Ari," mom says, flashing me a grin and pointing towards the door as Cora leans towards Pippa with a watch in her hand, timing her contractions and murmuring to her that it's time to push.

"Oh fine!" I sigh, scowling at my mother and turning towards the door, flouncing out with a pout readily on my mouth. I sigh, pulling the door shut behind me, knowing that my presence isn't necessary but really, really wanting to be there.

"How is she?"

I jump a little, turning in surprise to the croaking voice, my eyes widening in surprise when I see Mark and Benny sitting on the hallway floor, each of them looking mildly miserable and worried.

"She's fine," I say, flashing a smile at Ben. But then I turn to Mark and frown. "What on earth are you still doing here?" I ask, crossing the hall and squeezing in between them.

Mark sighs, scootching to the side a little bit to make room for me. "Don't ask, Ari, okay?" he murmurs, looking down at his knees, clearly miserable.

I just stare at him, baffled, but Ben gives me a little nudge with his elbow.

I spin to my friend, confused, but he just shakes his head gently at me, urging to do as Mark asks. I frown at Ben, not getting it, spinning my head back to Mark because -

I mean, why the hell does Mark even care!? Ben's presence and worry I get - this

is his mate's first child. But Mark looks almost green with worry-

Seriously, why on earth would he be this worried about a girl he hardly knows!?

But suddenly my eyes go wide, my wolf leaping to her feet because -

But no way -

No way -

It's...not my baby Markie, he's just a baby...and Pippa of all people -

Ben elbows me again, sharper this time, and by instinct I spin my head back to

him with a scowl. Because, honestly, that kind of hurt.

But Ben shakes his head more vehemently this time, intuiting what I've intuited and letting me know that it is not going to be helpful to for me to interrogate him at this

moment. I sigh, masterful net

my curiosity away and simply putting a hand out on Mark's knee, letting him feel my support even as I force myself to keep my attention on Ben.

Honestly, I'm very impressed with myself at the moment, I am rarely capable of such restraint.

But for Markie, my baby? For him, I can do it.

"Anyway,” I say, clearing my throat and keeping my focus on Ben's face. He grins at me, seeing the effort it's taking. "Pippa's fine. She's going to start pushing now."

A huffy little worried moan breaks from Mark but I manage to ignore him.

"She's amazing," Ben says, looking towards the door. "She's been...so brave, running away from everything she knows and having her baby here."

I murmur my agreements, studying my friend's face, allowing my attention to drift to him - which is easier in this moment than I thought it would be. Suddenly I feel quite guilty, wondering if I've neglected Ben in all of the crazy events that have been happening lately.

"How are you doing, Benny?" I ask quietly, genuinely wanting to know. "How are...noveldrama

things? With Elias? And with Pippa?”

He sighs, long and slow, but can't keep the smile off of his face. "It's been

complicated. Amazing but...complicated."

I nod, tilting my head to the side, understanding.

"Elias is in a weird spot," Ben says, shifting his gaze to the door. "I've been trying to be supportive and I hope that I'm succeeding. But we're just so so happy with each other, Ari. Like - he's so great. He's so funny, and strong, and smart, and clever I just...every moment we spend together is amazing."