The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"How dare you, Jesse Sinclair," Midnight says, standing with her feet wide apart in front of her yurt, hands on her hips, glaring hard up at her mate. "You know the

rules. No! Pups!"

"Oh, come on, Mids," Jesse says, grinning and gesturing towards Marigold, who is still perched on his arm. "She's starving. She wants some cake!"

"Cake," Marigold whispers, nodding slowly. Jesse grins, appreciating that Marigold is on his side despite the fact that she probably doesn't know what that word

means.

Midnight narrows her eyes at the new little girl like she appreciates the cake argument. But then she shakes her head. "No way. That one," she says, pointing to Marigold, "seems quite calm. But that one," she says, shifting her finger to Seraphina standing next to Jesse, "is a terror!"

Seraphina smiles wickedly, showing all her teeth, confirming Midnight's assessment.

"No way!" Midnight says, slicing her hand hard through the air.

"Midnight," Jesse says, his voice even. "We'll go if you want. But I'll be disappointed in you if you turn this little girl away. She's brand new," he says, gesturing up at Marigold's adorable little face. "And she's hungry!"

Midnight sighs, finally persuaded. She has a good heart, after all, and

understands the ills of hunger. She stalks three steps forward, standing on her toes so that her eyes are nearly level with Marigold's. "Are you going to mess with my stuff?"

Marigold's eyes go wide and, surprised, she quickly shakes her head.

Satisfied, Midnight lowers her heels and turns to glare at Seraphina. "Are you!?” "No Miss Midnight," Seraphina says, tucking her hands behind her back in her best impression of a sweet and obedient child. "I'll be good."

Midnight sighs, narrowing her eyes again and Sera and putting her hands back on her hips. "Fine," she snaps. "You can come in. But I reserve the right to kill you -"

"Midnight!" Jesse snaps.

"Fine!" Midnight sighs. "Kick you out! If you are bad!"

Seraphina screeches with delight at being finally allowed into the forbidden yurt

and darts inside, gasping in delight when she sees how cool it is.

"Not so fast!" Midnight shouts, darting in after her. "No running!"

A crash sounds from inside.

"Oh dear,” Jesse says, grimacing and looking at Marigold. "Shall we join them?"

Marigold laughs and smacks Jesse eagerly on the chest, nodding. He grins at the little girl, wondering how it's possible for Jackson's features to be so cute on a littlenoveldrama

three-year-old, and ducks into the yurt

He laughs immediately, putting Marigold down, watching as Midnight tries to snatch at all her books, holding them out of Seraphina's grasp. Sera laughs with delight, jumping up, trying to get at them.

"Jesse!" Midnight growls between her teeth, glancing over at him. "Contain this beast you call a sister!"

"Sera, be cool," Jesse calls, sitting himself down and leaning back on his hands. "Marigold told me she wants to play dress-up with Midnight's clothes - can you show her how?"

Sera's eyes light with delight and she waves to Marigold, darting over to corner of the yurt where all of Midnights new clothes spill out of several trunks. Marigold dashes over with her, delighted.

Midnight starts to protest, chasing after them, but Jesse grabs her wrist, tugging her back, laughing.

"Let them, Mids, they can't hurt yo clothes and you keep them all in a heap anyway so it's not like

they'll

get out of order. They only want to

play - they're just little girls."

"Little demons," Midnight snarls, glaring over at Seraphina and Marigold as they sort through all her stuff.

"Sure, little demons, but very ineffectual at tearing garments. Come on, just relax."

Midnight sighs but does as she's

bid, sinking down to the floor next to

Jesse and wrapping her arms

around her legs, resting her chin on

her knees. She keeps her eyes on

the girls. “Jackson's pup looks a lot like him."

"Doesn't she?" Jesse says, grinning and looking over at the pair. "She's really sweet."

Midnight hums consideringly, glancing up at Jesse. "And you don't find them annoying?"

Jesse grins at his mate. "I'm used to the chaos, Mids. I think they're funny. But it's fine if you find them annoying - plenty of people aren't crazy about kids."

Midnight hums again, turning her face back, clearly putting her thoughts together.

Jesse watches her quietly, wondering if she'll ever truly change her mind about wanting kids.

Wondering if he wants her to.