Chapter 147

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.