The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 701

I moan in horror as the tent floods with people, as they stomp out the lingering flames and try to pull Tony’s body away from me. I scream against it, holding onto him, not wanting to let him out of my sight.

But Luca is there, crouching behind me, murmuring to me to let him go – to let the doctors help him – to unclench my hands that are clinging to Tony’s uniform. Luca’s words don’t register with me for a moment as the medics come flying in, as people begin to shout to notify the command about the dead Cadet on the floor, about what they assume was a fight that broke out –

But Luca’s hands are calm on mine, and he slips his fingers beneath mine and unfolds them –

And then they lift Tony, and they take him away.

And I completely lose my mind.

I scream out all of the horror and fear that’s racing through my body, through my blood.

How – how can the whole world have fallen apart in thirty seconds –

Gibson – Atalaxia – flashes of knives coming right for my face – the sting of the cuts across my palms -

Tony in front of me – Luca’s roar and his fangs – and then blood –

Blood, everywhere. Blood all over my friend, blood still all over me.

“I’ve got you, Ari,” Luca murmurs to me, pulling me up into his arms and then up off the floor, his whole body shaking as he does, as I cry and sob out what sounds like an endless wail.

“You need to stay right the fuck where you are,” a superior officer commands, putting a hand out to Luca. “This is not finished –“

I just sob, turning my face into Luca’s chest.

“I’m taking him to the king,” Luca snarls, pushing past, pushing through people –

“You’re taking him fucking nowhere –“ the officer shouts.

But suddenly the flaps fly open again and more people come flying in – tall men, their scents so familiar.

“Ari!” Jackson barks, sending people flying as he shoves them out of his way, crossing the tent to me with Rafe and Jesse and my father in his wake.

“She’s fine,” Luca says, his voice trembling as he steps towards our group. I moan, reaching for my father, wanting his steady presence, and Luca only hesitates for a second before passing me over into my father’s arms.

Ridiculous that someone came and softly cared for and bandaged my hands. That I took a fucking shower and washed all his blood away, that I’m clean and nice, my hair freshly braided with my mates warm at my side.

And Tony…Tony’s not.

I sniff harder, thinking that it’s not worth it. That it wasn’t worth it – not for me. Not if we lose him.

A horrible, terrified moan slips from my lips.

“Stop thinking like that,” Luca pleads, turning his sad brown eyes up to me. “Tony made his choice. He was –“

But Jackson just growls at him, low, and Luca sighs and turns his face down.

My heart reaches out to Luca, too, because I owe my life to him as well. He took a life for me – something that can’t not leave a stain on his soul.

Grief hits me again, because I owe so much to all of them. To everyone. Debts I’ll never be able to pay.

I hang my head, tears starting again, and Jackson tilts me towards him, letting me rest against his chest.