Chapter 602

"I know, it's gross," Jesse says, slumping next to me with his arms crossed, doing his best to live up to his worthless and profligate reputation.

I grin, nudging him with my elbow. "You're probably good at it too."

"Yes," he says, turning bored eyes my way, "but unlike the rest of you, I choose not to live up to my potential."

I burst out laughing and give Jesse a shove before Rafe barks at us to make ourselves useful and help carry some of the supplies onto the chopper, whose blades are starting to turn. We hop to it, but even as we do I look around at the other teams, easily spotting Luca's tall form across the field. I send a pulse down our bond and he instantly looks up, his eyes finding me with satisfying speed.

Luca grins at me, and I think I see a wink as I wave hello to him. But then Rafe is next to me, sighing and grabbing my arm, hauling me forward and scolding me for fraternizing with the enemy. I laugh, climbing onto the chopper and telling him to unhand me. After all, that's my sniping arm and it can't risk being damaged.

We're in the air remarkably fast after that, with me buckled into a seat pressed between Jesse and Jacks, Rafe sitting on the other end of the helicopter chatting with three other warrior Cadets for whom he has a special mission. The other half of our team - five more students - are on the other helicopter and are going to meet us there.

I can barely contain my excitement, practically vibrating with it.

My eyes moving to the hard-shell cases strapped to the center of the helicopter that I know contain our allotted supplies which - I was surprised to discover - Rafe and Jackson also had to negotiate for, picking and choosing which weapons to equip for their team.

"Is it in there?" I whisper, leaning over to Jackson, desperate to know.

He laughs, looking down at me with real pleasure. "Of course it is. Why are you so obsessed?"

"I'm just really excited."

I grin, my eyes moving over the boxes, but I sit up straight when I see one of the warriors with whom Rafe is speaking looking over at the three of us, frowning with his eyes trained on me.

"Is there a problem, Miller?" Jackson says, leaning towards the Cadet under his command, his movements slow and dangerous like a lion that's spotted a threat to his pack. My eyes go wide as I watch Jackson put himself between me and this man who's frowning at me, reminded again that my mate - who is so sweet and gentle with me - is, in reality, no one to be messed with.noveldrama

“I just...don't fucking get it, McClintock," Miller says, casting a hand out towards me as he locks eyes with Jacks.

"It's Commander, in this situation," Jackson says, his voice dropping lower. "And luckily, no one asked you whether or not you 'get it.""

"Look," Miller Snaps, pushing his luck

a bit. "I just know we sacrificed a lot of resources in order to get this...shrimp on our team. And know he's in with your crew or whatever, but it doesn't seem wise to have "

—

"Enough," Jackson says, the Alpha command rumbling low in his voice.

Miller sits up straight, his mouth snapping shut as everyone in the helicopter realizes what's happening and turns towards Jacks and consequently - to me.

"Not that Commander Sinclair and I

need to explain our logic," Jackson says, looking around and meeting everyone's eyes individually. "But our reasoning for making such a heavy bid for Cadet Clark will make itself abundantly clear when you see what he can do."

I blush a little bit, even if I feel smug at Jackson's words. But I lift my chin and look around at everyone else in the helicopter, hoping with sudden desperation that I can live up to my mate's faith.

Don't worry, Jackson says directly into my mind, snapping my attention up to him. You can.

A smile breaks onto my face, and I nod once as the helicopter tips, starting to head down.

"All right,” Rafe says, drawing all attention to him. "Get ready, troops. The moment we land? We're at war."

Jesse nudges me with his shoulder and I turn to see him smiling as big as I am, equally excited. "You ready to kick ass, baby trouble?" he asks, holding a fist out to me.

I ball my own fist and bump it against his. "Oh yes, your Grace." I say, beaming at my cousin. “I sure as hell am.”