The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0961

But my grin falls when I turn my head to look up at Mark, because that

devastation...it persists.

"Mark," I say quietly, leaning towards him, wanting very much to play the big sister right now.

"Still not yet, Ari," Mark says on a sigh, glancing down at me. He gives his best attempt at a smile, but it fails.

"Okay, then let me get you a drink, little boy," I say, resting my cheek against his

arm.

Ben laughs a little. "He's not a little boy at all, Ari," he says, shaking his head. "He's gigantic - nearly as tall as Rafe and Jacks -"

"Incorrect, Benny," I say, spinning my head to grin at him. "He's just teeny tiny, like me. Come on, both of you - drinks all round."

on. I do as I promised, fetching us a couple of drinks and handing them round, but we're a quiet little group tonight. None of us feels particularly chatty, each of

the same couch, considering that.....if what I suspect about Markie is true, then he and Ben have a great deal more in common than I ever thought they would. Privately I wish that they would just talk to one another, thinking that they could really be a help to each other. But, not wanting to push it, I just sigh and leave

new developments of my life. To

How do we manage to balance Marigold's needs with our own responsibilities and ambitions? What am I supposed to do, like, carry her up into the sniper's blind in a sling on my back or

courtyard below. My attention immediately shifts,

At me.

my lips curl quietly into a smile,

precisely

the rest of my glass of wine down in

and Mark mumble

sel

in my soul. As hurry down the steps to the first floor,

Jackson asks, interested but

Just going outside