The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy
Chapter 0247

"Neither do I," I whisper back, taking a step closer. To my surprise, Luca lifts his arm and wraps it around me, tucking me in against his side, where he likes me. "But we can figure it out together." Luca murmurs something I don't quite hear, raising a hand and cupping my cheek in his palm, staring down at me as he shakes his head in awe and frustration.

"I'm still your mate, Luca," I whisper, sending all the warmth and assurance that I have down the bond. "That hasn't changed. You still mean the world to me."

"It has changed, a little," he murmurs, studying me. "You know that I really do love you, right? That I wasn't just saying it to...to manipulate you. I just...I love you so damn much, Ariel, I'd do anything to keep you."

"I know," I murmur, nodding and pressing my cheek closer into his palm. "I know, Luca. I know."

He lowers his face then, pressing a kiss to my mouth like he can't help it, just as a knock comes at the door.

"Oh, what the hell," Rafe sighs, turning towards it. Luca tightens his arm around me as Jesse steps to my side, taking the hat off his head and shoving it towards me.

Rafe moves to the door and I pull the cap on, taking a small step away from Luca even though he clearly doesn't want to let me go. When I nod to him, Rafe pulls open the door.

And my eyebrows arch nearly to my hairline as I see who is standing there.

"Good morning, Cadets," Dr. Neumann murmurs, his hands folded neatly behind his back as he nods around to each of us. His eyes settle on me, though, and he gives a firm nod. "Cadet Clark? If I may have a word?"

My hands start to shake a little with the anxiety of it because...because why is he here? Ben... Ben got his pass results on a little piece of paper...

Oh my god.

If you fail, do they have to deliver the results in person? Do they have to -

"Clark?" Neumann says, raising an eyebrow, and I realize that I haven't moved at all that I've just been staring at him. He turns slightly, tilting his head towards the hall, an invitation.

"Um, that's okay," I say, taking a few steps forward so that I'm standing in front of him, but not going out into the hall. "They can listen, I don't mind." Because if he tells me that I failed, I am definitely, definitely going to need my family to catch me when I fall to pieces.

Neumann sighs, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes at me. "You and your social life, Cadet Clark. It's what's holding you back, after all."

My stomach drops and I hang my head, because that can only mean...

"I came to tell you that you came out with the top marks in the Espionage class, Cadet Clark," he says, his voice brisk, words clipped.

I freeze, because...

I mean, I have to have misheard him, right?

My head snaps up and I stare at my professor, completely shocked.

"Top marks on the Chemistry examination, top marks in your marksmanship class." He raises an eyebrow at me. "Far and away, our highest-ranking Cadet this year in our program." "But I..." I sputter.

"You're a very promising student, Clark," Neumann says, and my face bursts into a smile when I see the corners of his mouth beginning to turn up, realizing that he's rather enjoying his little prank. "We will be expecting great things from you in the spring, and if you could just concentrate instead of having so many dinner parties you could truly make a difference in this world and in this war -"

But Neumann doesn't get any further in his scolding, because I let out a little shriek and throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his waist and giving him an impulsive hug. "Thank you!" I gasp, desperately happy and thrilled and excited all at once. "Thank you so much, Dr. Neumann!"

He freezes for a second but then he lets out a slow chuckle and, to my surprise, gently places his arms around me and gives me a little squeeze. "All right, Cadet, that's enough affection," he murmurs. “I'm your teacher, after all, not one of your many friends."

I laugh, loosening my arms and smiling up at him as I take a step back. "Why were you so mean to me all semester!?" I ask, impulsive.

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