The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Mom's confidence boosts me, even though it is hard to even think about what happened.

"I'm not sure I'm okay," I say, dropping my head to look down at my glass of wine. "I'm not sure I'll ever be...who I was. Or I'll never not...want things to be different." My hand drifts higher now, my palm cupping the bandage that covers my mark. It's fully healed, I'm just...not ready to look at it yet.

"I think that makes a lot of sense, baby," Cora says, nodding to me. "I think...this is probably one of the great tragedies of life, akin to losing a parent. You're going to be feeling a lot of grief for a long time."

"But you will get through it," Daphne says, smiling softly at me and putting a hand on my knee.

I look over at her with a tremulous smile, knowing she knows what she's talking about. And as I look around at the three women who are being so supportive, my eyes fill with tears because I know that each of their lives has been struck with tragedy.

And yet, here they are. Strong and happy, whole enough to come and help me when I need them.

My eyes fill with tears as I look around at each of them in turn - just so, so grateful.

"Oh god, she's crying again," Cora says, sitting up straight and reaching for one of the many bottles of wine that ring the table.

"Quick, her glass!" Mom gasps, over-dramatic, pointing to it in my hand with a shaking finger. "Fill it! Go!"

I burst out laughing, even as tears start their way down my cheeks and Cora refills my glass. "It's fine to cry!" I protest. "That's what we're here for, isn't it!?"

"Of course, baby," mom says, leaning forward towards me. "But you can laugh too. It's...all part of it. We just love you and want to be here with you through all of these hard first couple of hours and days. Until my little bird gets her strength back and can fly again."

I look at her, my lips a little tremulous. "You really think that's going to happen? That I'll...get back on my feet?"

"Oh, trouble," mom says, her face breaking into a little smirk. "I'm sure of it."

"To men!" Cora says, impulsive and a little tipsy, raising her own glass. "May they all meet the violent ends they deserve for torturing our poor innocent hearts! And, in their death, leave us enough money in their wills that we can go on more spa trips." noveldrama

"Woo!" mom says, laughing and clinking her glass against Cora's.

I laugh but then scowl around at the three of them. "Oh, please," I say, smiling just a little. "It's not like you three don't have perfect relationships."

My mom presses a hand to her heart, pretending to be aghast at such a declaration. "If you think that your father has not put me through the emotional ringer, baby-"

"Twenty years ago!" I accuse, laughing and throwing a piece of popcorn at her in turn.

"And don't get me started on Roger," Cora murmurs, smirking. "Bane of my existence."

"Love of your life," I snarl, sending popcorn her way too. She laughs and grins at me, tacitly admitting it.

He does torture her, but she loves every minute.

"Well Daphne saves us, then," mom says, gesturing toward my suspiciously quiet friend. "She and Rafe broke up, right? So it can't be all paradise in her little sewing room, can it?"

"Oh, Rafe and Daphne broke up," I say, a wicked smile spreading over my face. "But I suppose this means Daphne has not yet told you the provenance of a certain tiny kitten?"

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