The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0714

I press a hand to his cheek and lift my chin to kiss him softly - not something I usually do in front of my brother and my cousin. But everyone lets it pass today.

"What is it?" I sigh, feeling stronger with Jackson's support as I look over at Rafe and Jesse in the afternoon light that streams through the window.

Rafe sighs. "We have to go meet with the captain," he says, gesturing between himself and Jacks.

"Why?" My mouth turns down in a frown because...well, because I wanted to keep them close by today.

"He wants reports on how the Cadets performed during the battle," Jackson murmurs.

"Piss poor," I say, nodding firmly, my eyes narrowing. "They didn't land a single damn shot with those guns -"

"Ari!" Jesse says, his face breaking into a smile to see a bit more spirit come into me. "It's harder than it looks -"

out, leaning forward toward him. "It was like hitting the side of a barn with a big fat tomato! Honestly, you should have just let me do it - train me on one of those big guns, I could do that with my eyes closed -" Jesse laughs at me, shaking his head. "You

back in his chair, a little smile coming to his lips. "We didn't

I murmur, raising an eyebrow at him and snuggling back against Jackson, who tightens his arms around

for

you do that so well," I say with a sigh. And

guilt crashes into my little sliver of happiness immediately - because how dare I be laughing with my brother when Tony is dead and will

my sadness, his voice gentle. "Jesse's going to take you down to Daphne's room for a bit.

that might be...nice."

It will be good to see her. My friends - they're

leaving our little bubble," Jackson murmurs, pressing his cheek to my hair. "Which means we have

looking between them. "What information?" Dread curls in me, wicked and sharp-toothed. More news - and clearly bad news.

the only Cadet

says, meeting my eyes evenly clearly wanting to tell me as fast as possible to alleviate my dread. "Others were hit with Atalaxian bullets when those first

go a bit cold, staring at my