The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0716

"No," she says, looking up at Jesse and shaking her head. "He was my little companion. It was very comforting, having him here. Plus, I wasn't allergic to him like I am other cats. And he didn't eat or need to go to the bathroom." "See? Perfect pet." He beams down at her and I'm struck again by just how easy and perfect these two are together, how incredibly right.

I grin, thinking that they're kind of idiots for not figuring it out in the first place.

"So, how long do you guys have?" Daphne asks, looking up at Jesse. "Can we hang out?"

"Yup," he says, nodding to her. "Rafe and Jacks are at a meeting. I didn't want to sit with this sad sack all alone - too depressing -"

"Hey, you're sad too," I say, glaring at him and gathering the little kitten into my hands as I sit down on Daphne's bed. The kitten mews, brushing himself against my fingertips. God, he's actually soft - and warm -

"Of course I am, cousin," Jesse says, giving me a sad smile. "Just trying to make you laugh. It breaks my heart to see you like this."

"Well, if we have hours and nothing to fill them with," Daphne says, moving over to her little mantle and reaching for a bottle of wine. "Wanna drink?"

"Yes ma'am," Jesse says, grinning at her. "This is an excellent impulse. Yes, you'll do fine as a Sinclair."

as she moves over to me, but I stare a bit at my cousin. A Sinclair? Really? I mean, I love the idea, and seeing them together it makes sense - but I just wasn't aware that these two had gotten

Daphne as she hands them to me. Then she fills each up a little bit

Jesse says, quite serious, his own quiet grief

forget him," I

glasses together and then drink deeply, determined

- at least the parts that don't involve Tony and thus don't make me cry. I can tell that she's dying to ask questions in that direction, because she still doesn't know the whole story - but...Jesse

the three

that even if I do feel guilty about it, my spirits do rise, a little bit. It's just...good, to be here with these two, cozy in Daphne's room, drinking wine and being

It's very, very good.

into our second bottle of wine and all feeling quite loose when a knock comes at the

when he disintegrates into a little cloud

says,

you just kill Mittens?" Daphne whispers, horrified, her

at her as I get up and eagerly move

the little kitten at his feet,