The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0678

"Which was?" Rafe asks, raising an eyebrow at me, not so delighted with my performance as everyone else. "Seriously, Ariel, the Captain's not going to be happy. You're going to be in deep shit about this - way deeper than he was." My brother points at Tony here.

"Did you get in trouble?" I ask, blinking at Tony in surprise.

"Demerits," he says with a shrug, like it can't possibly matter to him. "Restriction to my room until further notice. That sort of shit."

I frown. "But I...just saw you in Newtown..."

"What the Captain does not know," Tony says, "does not hurt him." He presses a sincere hand to his heart - one that is immediately betrayed by his wicked grin.

I laugh, opening my mouth to ask more, but Rafe interrupts.

"I'm serious, Ariel," he says, his face looking a great deal like dad's as I turn my head to him in surprise. "What's your plan here, trouble? It's one thing to throw a grenade into the Games just to throw everyone off - but have you thought about the fallout to this?" "Of course I have, Rafe," I say, frowning at him, not liking how much he's underestimating me here. "Don't talk to me like I'm stupid and did this just because I'm mad."

"But then why-"

Almost precisely as if I timed it this way, a hard knock comes at the door. Rafe goes quiet as we all turn towards it.

"That will be for me," I say with a sigh, standing up and smoothing my hands down over my uniform before starting off for it.

up and starting along with

turn back to him as I reach the door, putting a hand out towards my brother. He goes still. "My grenade,

up to the Captain's glowering one, I unconsciously press my thumb against the mini mark that Jackson gave me this afternoon, wanting this tiny support even if I'm pretending to be all brave and stoic and alone on this. A warm pulse of support comes down my bond with Jackson and I wrap it around my heart, letting it

at me. "Would you

behind my back and looking up at him as evenly as I

beet

back and nodding towards the rest of the room. "This involves more than just me. There are several here who

is regarding your insubordination and your possible

sir," I say quietly, still holding my ground.

little bit as he sees me refuse to collapse to his will. "You will come downstairs, Cadet, or you

all due respect, sir," I say quietly. "I am not leaving this room before we have this

Captain says,

room. "You risk expulsion because all of these people need to be present for this conversation? Including

Academy's youngest tailor?

little, realizing I may have made a mistake there - and as I glance at Daphne and see the way she shrinks a little against the

chin. "I stand

growls. "If you refuse to come downstairs, then I am forced to inform you here and now that will be journeying down there myself to process your expulsion

insubordination and blatant defiance