Chapter 1003

"Ariel," dad says, his voice low with warning. Rafe, Mark, and Jesse sit very quiet on the couch, looking between us.

But I ignore all of them, shifting my eyes to mom. "And what about everything you were saying this morning," I snap, vanishing my flame away. "About being able to have it all, to not have to limit myself simply because I'm pregnant?"

"Baby, I meant every word of that," mom says, pressing her hands to her heart, her eyes going wide. "But you have to acknowledge the reality that your life is different now - your life is going to change in a very physical way. And if your first pregnancy is anything like mine, you may need a great deal of bed rest! Why don't you simply...delay your education until the girls are born? Take a minute to

"If I stop now," I say, my voice getting creaky with sadness and worry, "I won't go back - how many women does this happen to? Who say 'oh I'm going to just take a step away for a moment,' and then they never go back? Why not do it now!? Just finish while I'm pregnant and the babies are young enough to sleep most of the day -"

"You're underestimating how much care and dedication an infant needs, Ariel," dad says, his voice stern but full of feeling. "Let alone two of them. The Academy is a dangerous place - you were injured and nearly died there several times -"

"So, I won't do any of the physical stuff!" I blurt out, desperate. "I'll - I'll just do the book learning!" I hesitate for a second. "And the sniping!"

"Yes, always a great idea to bring the infant children around the gigantic gun," Rafe says, going for some humor to lighten the situation. I spin my head to glare at him and he grimaces, putting his hands up in apology.

"Ariel, when the world finds out about your pregnancy you're immediately going to be a target for kidnapping and ransom," dad says. "You'll be much better guarded here -"

"I've got magic now to defend myself!" I snap out. "And! I'll have three huge powerful magical Alphas at my side!" I look around at Rafe and Jesse and Jackson. All of the air and fury goes out of me, though, when my eyes fall on Jackson and I see him looking up at me with a great deal of sadness.noveldrama

I exhale all my breath in one great gush and step away from him, feeling completely betrayed. Because...the way he's looking at me...

"What?" I whisper, staring at my mate who so, so clearly agrees with my dad and everyone else in the room. Who doesn't want me to go back to the Academy anymore. "Are you...serious?"

"Ariel," Jackson says softly, his voice terribly sad, reaching a hand for me.

"Even you want me to back off, Jackson!?"

"Tiny," he says, his voice breaking, shaking his head at me as he stands and steps close. "I - I just want you to be safe want you all to be safe And you nearly died over and over again at the Academy. I could barely protect you - and so frequently I couldn't. And now that I have four?" He shakes his head, looking at me with such pleading in his eyes, wanting me to understand.

But I just drop my gaze to the floor, not wanting him to see my tears in my eyes.

I feel just...so...defeated. Like everyone is against me and no one understands that I can do this. That I don't want to give up everything I've worked so hard for just because the Goddess decided it was time for me to get knocked up. It's just...so completely unfair.

"I can't believe none of you believe in me," I whisper, working hard to keep my tears from falling, not wanting Marigold to see them.

"It's not like that, Ariel," mom says softly, her voice trembling. Jackson reaches out and puts a hand on my shoulder his fingers tightening,

urging me to come closer. Buti net

shake my head and step away, not wanting that kind of comfort right now.

Because if I accept the comfort, it means I've given in.

And I'm not ready to do that yet.

I sniff hard and raise my chin, shaking my hair back over my shoulders, putting on my best

Princess smile and aiming it at must

daughter. "Come on, Goldie. I've been kicked out of any position of military authority, so I've got some free time. Let's go hang out and eat chocolate."

She looks at me for a moment, I think a bit worried, but then she nods and gives me a tiny smile in return.

Jackson sighs behind me as I start to walk away, heading for the hallway and my bedroom beyond.