The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy



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 -"

"It's a big bullet and a big chopper, Jess!" I burst out, 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, shaking his head. "You arrogant little gun nut —“

"You did enough, Ari," Rafe says, leaning back in his chair, a little smile coming to his lips. "We didn't need you on guns too."

"Clearly you did," I murmur, raising an eyebrow at him and snuggling back against Jackson, who tightens his arms around me, his wolf growling his pride and support down the bond.noveldrama

Rafe laughs, shaking his head. "You have to leave something for the rest of us. We can't just sit around looking pretty."

"But you do that so well," I say with a sigh. And for the first time today a little smile finds my lips.

Of course, grief and guilt crashes into my little sliver of happiness immediately - because how dare I be laughing with my brother when Tony is dead and will never laugh again?

I sigh, hanging my head a little.

"We have to go downstairs for a couple of hours, Ari," Rafe says, seeing my sadness, his voice gentle. "Jesse's going to take you down to Daphne's room for a bit. We figured that might be...nice."

I nod, agreeing to it. It will be good to see her. My friends - they're more precious to me now than they've ever been.

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

"What?" I say, sitting up straight and looking between them. "What information?" Dread curls in me, wicked and sharp-toothed. More news - and clearly bad news. God, I'm not sure I can take it.

"Tony wasn't the only Cadet who

was hurt," Rafe says, meeting my eyes evenly clearly wanting to tell

me as fast as possible to meet

my dread. "Others were hit with Atalaxian bullets when those first choppers got close, before you took them down. You remember, yes? When the medics were called?"

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

"Warrior cadets," Rafe says, "I'm not sure if you know them. One is in hospital, probably going to be attended to by mom. And two more had superficial wounds - they came home on the train with us. But Redman Blythe..."

My lip starts to tremble as I anticipate his words.

“He died, Ari,” Rafe says, even, holding my gaze. “On the battlefield, instantly. He was shot in the head.”

I clench my teeth and turn my head into Jackson's neck. He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight as I press my eyes shut, tears already leaking from them.

Because Blythe - I mean, we weren't friends, he was nothing like what Tony was to me. But, I mean, I knew him – he drafted me –

And god, I was such a dick to him...

I groan, regretting everything, crying quietly into Jackson's shirt as he holds me tight through it. When the worst of it passes, I turn sniffing to my brother and my cousin.

"Someone needs to tell Juniper," I whisper, my voice still shaky.