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 -"

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,

little smile coming to his lips.

who tightens

his head. "You have to leave something for the rest

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

dare I be laughing with my brother when Tony is dead and will never laugh again? I sigh, hanging my

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

that might be...nice."

My friends - they're more precious to me now

you're also leaving our little bubble," Jackson murmurs, pressing his cheek to my hair. "Which means we have to... let you in

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

wasn't the

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

a bit cold, staring at my brother. "Who?" I ask,