The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 1012

She goes still for a moment and then laces her fingers with his, squeezes his hand. "We're not dating or anything," she snaps. "Just...because you got all rejected and stuff. I didn't come running up here just because you're single - I thought you were going to die -"

"Sure, you didn't," Jesse says, dry, nodding slowly, a smile curling his lips.

She laughs a little, turning her head to look at his profile in the starlight. "I mean it, Jess. I...stand by everything I said before."

"Okay, Daphne." Jesse says quietly. "I believe you. Let's just...see how it goes."

She nods, even though he doesn't see it, and then turns her face up to the night sky.

They lay there for a long time.

Neither drops the other's hand.

“Midnight?" I call, seeing the little figure crossing the grass, dragging her feet and looking down. I frown, standing from my place at Jackson's side on the little wicker loveseat that mom got us for our front porch.

Jackson looks up too, curious, and even Marigold lifts her head from her

toys on the front porch, a little stuffed

lap.

front steps, looking a little wobbly. "Um, I rejected

I breathe, going

murmurs. "Are you

me a little nudge down the bond that's equivalent to

shoving

story," Midnight says, looking totally exhausted. She eyes the couch and the empty space at Jackson's side. "Can I...can I come sit

I say, reaching for her, ushering

everything I wait long enough to hear that she held on to part of the bond, and that Jesse is sad but okay, and that she sent Daphne to him. With a sigh and a glance

Jackson's lap and listen to Midnight tell the whole story. It takes a long

Mids," I say

looks up at

Jesse too," I continue. "But...you're going after what you want in this life. And not letting. anyone else define

swnovel

it too," Midnight says, looking up at me, wiping away a tear or two and then

strained little wicker