Chapter 0383

"Ella!" my dad calls again, pounding on the door. "What's going on!?"

"It's nothing, Dominic!" mom snaps back, turning to glare at the door that she's got her back pressed against, like dad can see her expression through it. "We just need a minute! For girl stuff!"

There's a long pause outside of the door and then dad groans. "Fine!" he calls, sounding exhausted, his voice fading as he clearly walks away. "I'll go get the boys up - you handle this girl stuff. Get them up and dressed!"

*Dressed?" I ask, peering at the door like it has answers. "For what?"

*Ariel!" Mom gasps again, darting for me now that dad's gone and grabbing for the neckline of my pajamas." Where is it - where did he."

But I just sigh, putting my hands on my hips and tilting my head back so that mom can see the evidence for herself. "He didn't mark me, mom - god I'm going to get sick of saying that today."

"He didn't!?" she gasps, still looking like I'm hiding it from her or something. "Then what did he..."

But then she goes still, and takes a single step back, and bursts out laughing.

"What?" I sigh, shaking my head at her, kind of embarrassed and trying hard to hide it.

*So," she says, grinning wickedly at me as she crosses her arms, becoming my mirror image. "Someone discovered the dark delights of scent marking, did they?"

"Mom!" I protest, dropping my hands, my cheeks blushing pink.

She laughs harder, grinning at me and I just scowl, waiting for her to finish. "No, I get it!" she says after a couple more moments of laughter. "You know, your dad used to scent mark me when -* Cóntent belongs to NovélDráma. Org

"Nope!" I shout, throwing my hands up in the air and turning away from her. As I turn I see Daphne sitting up in the bed, grinning, her arms looped casually around her knees. "Too much information, mom! I do not need to know the details of this!"

"It was before I knew I was a wolf!" she protests.

*Yah!" I say, turning to give her a little glare. "And when you were already pregnant with Rafe!"

"Yeah," she says, tightening her arms around herself like she's giving herself a little hug. "Ah, the good ole days. Anyway," she sighs, shaking her head at me and glancing back towards the door. "Your dad's going to flip about this, either way, little girl. You are trying his patience with this double mate stuff."

*Is he going to be mad at me?" I ask, anxious again, following her gaze.noveldrama

"Nah, I won't let him," mom says, flapping a hand in my direction. "Just, um..." she turns back to us, her face falling into more serious lines. "Actually, you two need to get up and get dressed. We have a meeting with the Atalaxians, and we want you all in on it."

"Me too?" Daphne asks, surprised.

"You're Academy staff, my dear," mom says, turning to her seriously, making sure that she understands how welcome she is. "And our honored guest. It's your choice, of course, but we'd appreciate it if you came along."

"My honor," Daphne says, starting to get out of bed.

Mom starts darts forward to give me a little kiss before darting towards the door. "I want to make sure Meatball is up - you'll be okay?" She raises an eyebrow, her hand on the door.

"Well, what should we wear?" I ask, a little confused. "Am I...am I a Princess today? Or a Cadet?"

*Princess, unfortunately," mom replies, tilting her head in apology. "But, something serious. Black?"

I nod, understanding, agreeing.

"And something with a neck tonight," mom says quickly, gesturing towards her own and giving me a wicked smirk. "Basically... the opposite of what you wore last night. Though still Black."

Daphne laughs as I shoo mom out, and then both of us move over to my wardrobe, trying to find something to wear.

Daphne's dressed before me in a serious outfit of boots, tight pants, and a black blouse while I pull on some tights and a dark sweater dress. We're still trying to figure out shoes when a quick knock comes at the door.

"Girl time over?" my dad's voice calls, sounding half amused at himself and half exhausted.

I groan a little under my breath, turning swiftly to Daphne and pulling my high neckline down a bit. "Quick, can you scent mark me too?" I whisper. "Cover it up?"

She bursts out laughing and puts up a hand towards me. "No way, I am not getting my own scent involved in this."

The knock comes again, more insistent this time.

"Come in, Dad," I call, a sigh in my words.

Dad comes in swiftly, and by his deep breath when he comes into the room I know that mom prepped him and let him know that the only reaction he's allowed to have is to be cool, calm, and collected.