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."

still going on. I do as I promised, fetching us a couple of drinks and handing them round, but we're

would. Privately I wish that they would just talk to one another, thinking that they could really

wine, looking out at the beautiful city as dusk falls. I sigh, happy, struck by the beauty of our capital city even as my thoughts turn to the surprising new developments of my life. To Jacks, and sweet little Marigold, and how she fits into our world. Because while it's clear that she slips into the family quiet easily and that everyone has fully embraced her, what does my

year? 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

thought, thinking that Jackson would completely flip about it, when my eye suddenly catches on movement in our courtyard below. My attention immediately shifts, something in my wolf instinct allowing me to focus immediately on the figure that stands in shadow, leaning against a tree. Looking up at this very

At me.

my lips curl quietly into a smile, because even if

instantly, precisely who

downstairs for a minute," I murmur, swallowing the rest of my glass of wine down in a single gulp

and Mark mumble

sel

down the steps to the first floor, heading for the door that leads directly to

good? Jackson asks, interested but not

Just going outside