The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 431

“Yes, just what everyone wants when they’re searching for the perfect home,” dad murmurs, sending her a smirking glance. Mom nods eagerly, like that’s obviously true.

Jackson and I keep quiet, standing close together. Feeling my anxiety, he sends a warm pulse of reassurance down our bond and brushes his hand against mine. I smile up at him and send my thanks, but then I sigh and turn towards the doors as they open.

It’s a short, quiet walk down the hall to the room where my professors wait, and when the five of us enter the Captain raises his eyebrows in surprise. Neumann just smirks like he was expecting it and then glances at his watch like he’s eager to get this over with. Alvez, to my surprise, is the warmest.

“Ella!” he says, striding eagerly over and reaching for her hand.

“John!” she says, fond, taking his hand and leaning forward to exchange brief kisses on the cheek. My eyebrows fly up and I look, a little stunned, between Rafe and Jackson, who return my expression. I mean, we knew that mom hired Alvez, but we did not know that they were friends.

My dad clears his throat and Alvez murmurs his apologies, bowing quickly to my dad and taking his spot back on the other side of the table.

“If we could?” Neumann says, his bored voice ringing out in the room. “I have prep work to do, especially as the semester is starting so much earlier than expected.”

My dad smirks and nods to Neumann. I frown at this as well. How well do these two know each other?

Why are all the adults friends and no one told me?

“Of course,” dad says, gesturing for us three Cadets to line up next to him, which we do. Mom stands at dad’s side, her habitual place, and he puts a casual arm around her, his hand resting on her hip. Neumann, Alvez, and the captain stand across the table from us, looking towards my dad with interest, the Captain’s eyes a little wary.