“It’s okay,” I say, cocking my head to the side. “I’m sure you’re not alone in that. And that plenty of humans have a lot of ideas about what wolves are like. But…” “No,” she says, interrupting me and nodding eagerly. “I get it. I need to…spend some time thinking through those preconceived notio
Ella “Nah,” I say, leaning in to stroke a hand over Benny’s hair, “I can’t shift right now now. I have to go and help some other kids.” Still suspicious, the boy takes his hand from mine and crosses his arms over his chest. “Tell me your name. When my mom comes back, I’ll ask her to look you
“Demigoddess powers,” I say, scoffing a little. “Don’t be ridiculous, Cora –“ “Well, that’s what they are, Ella,” she says, laughing at me again. “I mean, do you need me to start making it rain to prove my point?” “I’d prefer it if you didn’t,” I say loftily, laughing a little. “But still,”
Ella “You,” I breathe, staring at Sarah in awe as she begins to eagerly nod. But I just shake my head in wonder. “You were the one who warned us – who left us the note that told us that –“ And my eyes instantly snap to Conner, standing a few feet away and watching us warily, Rafe sleeping in
Sarah hesitates again, looking between Cora and I. “You can say no,” I say softly. “Though I very much hope you will trust me and say yes. I…I owe you everything, Sarah.” And then, with her eyes firmly on Rafe, Sarah nods once. Cora stands up immediately, moving forward to the guards, le
Ella Sinclair blinks at me in surprised confusion and then sighs as he speaks honestly. “We’ve prepped an interrogation cell –“ “No,” I snap, pointing a finger up into his face that he immediately swats away. “No,” I continue to insist, taking a step closer and frowning furiously up at him.
When I come out of my closet in a comfortable pair of pajamas, and see Cora likewise cozy in borrowed leggings and a zip-up hoodie, I can’t help but laugh. “What?” she asks, grinning at me as she turns away from Rafe’s bassinet. “I was just so worked up fifteen minutes ago,” I say, shaking m
Ella I’m really sobbing by the time that Cora tells me that her wolf led her to Roger’s wolf, and then to her pup – just ugly crying my little heart out in absolute happiness for my sister, as well as – well, as well as in jealousy. Just a little bit. “Ella!” Cora says, laughing and reachin
He shakes his head at me as tears fill his own eyes and he leans forward, pulling me against him while somehow miraculously managing not to crush our children between us as he holds me tight in his arms. “So, I guess it wouldn’t matter,” he murmurs against my hair as I sniff back my tears and nod.
“Even more than the kids!?” I gasp, my mouth falling open a bit. “I mean, the kids,” he says, shrugging as if they’re not much, which makes me laugh. But then he goes a little rigid as he realizes something, raising his eyes to glare at me a bit. “Wait, are you saying you like the kids more than m
Ella “Nope,” Sinclair says, heaving himself out of bed and grabbing his phone off the bedside table as he does. “I can’t live like this, Ella – I’m calling Roger, I’ve got to know –“ “Dominic!” I say, laughing and grabbing for him, trying to catch the edge of his pajamas and failing because I’v
She laughs and I look first at Sinclair, who shrugs, and then back at my sister. “Come on,” Roger says, nodding at the crowds of people waiting to congratulate us and at the small table of refreshments. “Let’s decide this over some champagne.” Sinclair nods at me and I sigh, moving with my famil
The last image, though, lingers. Ariel, with Rafe and Jesse on either side – as they always are – and her two mates behind her. All standing together on a battlefield with Ariel at the center, magic welling between her hands and passing to her brother, to her cousin. Their faces are serious as t
Cora The images of Ariel’s future come in quick flashes, and somehow I get the impression that the Goddess is eager to share these glimpses of her life. The ones that come first are what I sort of expected, especially after seeing some images of Rafe’s childhood and hearing about the ones that
“We are not,” Cora scoffs, gently taking Ariel into her arms as Sinclair and I laugh. Roger grins, leaning forward to kiss me on the cheek before passing Jesse to me. “You know I’m kidding, right, Ells?” he whispers. I smile at my brother-in-law and gently pat his cheek. “When in doubt, Roger,”
Ella Three weeks later – Ariel was born under a waning quarter moon, not a new moon like her brother and her cousin – I stand anxiously in the woods, my little girl held tight in my arms. “I’m sensing some anxiety,” Cora says, grinning at me with a little too much glee as she comes up to my sid
“Oh my god,” I say, the words spilling out of my mouth. “Oh my god,” I sit up straight, staring at Henry, my eyes flicking to his legs – because honestly, I don’t even notice his chair anymore, or think of him at all as someone whose abilities are hindered. Or of me as someone who is able to do an