The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 513

Jackson follows quickly – of course – and is already pulling himself up onto the platform before I’ve barely pulled the gun out of its bag. Jackson murmurs his admiration as I set up the gun and then he settles down with his back against the low rail, pulling a book out of his bag but not moving to open it.

“What,” I say, laying on my belly and turning to peer at him. “You’re just going to watch?”

“Watch my gorgeous mate shoot a state-of-the-arts sniper rifle at a target five hundred yards out?” His face bursts into a smile. “Hell yes I’m going to watch.”

I laugh, shaking my head at him as I turn back to the gun, concentrating. “Okay, just don’t interrupt.”

Jackson doesn’t say a word in response and I honestly forget he’s there, falling into a bit of a reverie as I go over the Captain’s instructions about how to take aim, how to concentrate, how to pay attention to the elements as well as my own breathing. Then, slowly, I exhale and begin to shoot.

The first few shots go wide, but I adjust every time. And then, after a few pulls of the trigger, I’m gratified by the sudden grey hole in the fabric of the target. I grin, incredibly pleased, and shoot until I count ten bullets.

Then I sit up, and take the scope off of the gun, using it to peer at the target.

Three hits – all erratic and nowhere near to the bull’s eye.

But still, three hits.

I can’t keep the smile off of my face.

“How’d you do?” Jackson asks, his voice a deep grumble in the morning light.

“I hit it,” I say, shrugging, trying to play off how pleased I am.

But he just laughs at me, because he can feel it down the bond. He raises his chin at the scope. “Can I look?”

“Nicely done, Clark,” Jackson says, snapping his book shut and holding his hand out for the scope.

I hand it to him even as I start to pack up the gun. “How do you know it’s nicely done?” I ask, smiling and pleased with my morning’s work. “You haven’t looked yet.”

“Because,” he murmurs, peering through the scope, “you did a good job concentrating and making adjustments. Honestly, Ariel, you’re a good soldier. I’d have you on my team any day.”

I grin at Jacks as he peers at my handiwork – guniwork? – and then gasp as I remember something the Captain said.

He immediately turns to me with a frown, concerned that’s something’s wrong, but I just lean forward and snatch the scope out of his hand. “Speaking of teams!” I say, kind of in disbelief that I forgot to bring this up last night – even if I did fall asleep over my chemistry book kind of moments after I finished eating my pasta. “What the hell are these Games the Captain mentioned!?”

Jackson’s face bursts into a grin. “Wait, Ariel - how do you not know what the Games are?”