The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 780

“Jesse!”

He ignores Midnight’s frustrated call, his eyes focused on the top of another rounded hill that promises a better view. Jesse breaks into a tired jog, determined to follow the sound – the first new thing he’s heard in this world in hours.

Midnight calls after him again but he doesn’t pay attention, instead cresting the hill and frowning as he peers far, far into the distance.

But in the darkness beneath the moons…shit, but he can’t see far.

Midnight crests the hill at his side, panting a little, and he glances down to see her glaring up at him. “What, so you’ve got energy now? For this hill? You’ve been dragging all day! Honestly, Jesse, you’re not very impressive –“

“What was that noise?” Jesse asks, again peering out into the darkness. Is that…are those tire tracks? There in the dirt and the dust?

“It was nothing,” Midnight says, petulant.

Jesse turns to her, frowning down at the girl who has her arms crossed over her chest, determinedly not looking at him.

“You know I have five siblings, right?” he asks.

She turns her head to look up at him again, still frowning.

“And four cousins?”

Her face turns to confusion now. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“It means that I know when you’re lying,” he says, smiling a little, leaning down close to grin into her face.

“You don’t!”

“I do!”

“That’s impossible!” She lashes out a hand and hits him on the arm. “Only I know when I’m lying! They’re my lies!”

Something about this logic makes Jesse burst into a grin. “No,” he sighs. “I have magic. I can tell. Now seriously what the hell was that noise?” He stands straight and gestures out to the tracks.

“I’m not telling you,” she snaps, her lips all tight in anger.

“See? Told you I knew you were lying.”

Midnight gasps a little, her eyes going wide when she realizes what she admitted. Jesse laughs – he can’t help it. This poor girl has spent way too much time alone, and he has spent way too much time messing with his cousins and his siblings.

“Mids,” Jesse sighs, crossing his own arms and shaking his head at her. “Come on, just tell me.”

“No!”