Jackson raises his left arm, bending it and pressing his forearm tight against my neck. The moment our bodies touch – he only had his hand fisted in my uniform before – it happens again. My eyes fly open as the pulse pounds through the air, almost audible this time. Jackson’s eyes go wide as he
I’m sobbing now too, shaking my head at him, guilt filling every pocket of my being. “I’m sorry,” I cry, shaking my head. “Fuck, Ariel,” Rafe gasps, and then he pulls me to him, his arms around me tight. “I love you so much – I’ve always loved you, even when you’re so fucking annoying I want to th
I stare wide-eyed at my brother, waiting for him to react. But Rafe just…stares at me, his face ghostly-white, until I start to get seriously worried. “Rafe,” I murmur, leaning forward a little, starting to reach out a hand to touch him. “What the fuck Ariel,” Rafe whispers, so fast that the w
“Fine, Rafe,” I sigh, scowling and pulling away from him, knowing it’s logical but hating the way he pulls his big brother card and bosses me around. “Can we get to breakfast? Jesse’s going to start to freak out.” “Fine,” Rafe growls, grabbing my jacket and tugging me close to his side. “Let me
Jesse and I quietly pack our rucksacks over the next half hour while Rafe pitches a fit with the Lieutenants, insisting that he be allowed to transfer to my team or me to his. Jesse grimaces at me, shaking his head to let me know that he doesn’t think that it’s going to work. I just sigh and roll
I blink in surprise and a little bit of wonder, my mouth falling open a bit. What the – what the hell is this? Luca, to his credit, responds much more ably, dropping his arm from my shoulder and putting his hands on his waist, grinning at the three other guys with the easy confidence of a man who
The five of us stand in a small clearing of forest in a semicircle around our Lieutenant who repeats the instructions we were given his morning. I look around as he talks, only half-listening because I already know what our job is. I’ve got a good memory, after all. I look up at the sky above the
I roll my eyes at him, exasperated. “I don’t know what your problem is with me, Wright, but it would be great if you could get over it until we’re through this. I’m not fucking with you – the bark can be used to make a container for the water. So – will you just go find it?” Alan stares at me for
Ariel bursts out laughing and gestures out to the rest of the roof. “Of all the interference to our plans, you’re going to point out this tiny, adorable, sleeping infant pup as the problem!?” Both boys look down at the little dark-haired baby, whose amber eyes flicker open to betray her mother’s w
Jesse sighs, glancing at his watch and then looking to the door, an undrunk glass of champagne in his hand. “Where the hell is your damn sister?” “Your damn cousin,” Rafe murmurs, draining his glass and then pouring himself another. “You’d better stop that,” Jesse says, turning his head to Rafe
She goes still for a moment and then laces her fingers with his, squeezes his hand. “We’re not dating or anything,” she snaps. “Just…because you got all rejected and stuff. I didn’t come running up here just because you’re single – I thought you were going to die –“ “Sure, you didn’t,” Jesse says,
“I love you, Jesse,” Midnight whispers, watching him, her little mouth trembling, her entire body feeling weak. “I love you too, Mids,” he replies. “Always.” She nods once. And then disappears. Midnight fights hard against her emotions as she flits through the castle, moving back and forth bet
“I’m saying,” Midnight says, freely crying now, cupping Jesse’s face in her tiny hands. “That I – I don’t want to have your pups, Jesse. Ever. Ever. I don’t want them.” She shakes her head, vehement. “I think I’d be a bad mom. I’d leave them at the grocery store and forget they were there. I – I jus
She has to admit though…the stars are a pleasant addition. Midnight’s wolf gives a little worried howl, sprawled out in her soul, her little legs too weak to carry her much or far these days. But Midnight smiles a little and strokes a mental hand over her wolf’s fur, pleased to see her free and cl
“What,” Jackson asks, frowning down at the little rectangular stone in his hands. “Is it like, special?” “Jackson!” Midnight hisses, standing on her toes to smack him on the chest. “They’re invaluable! This is only the second I’ve ever seen in the world! And I only know of one besides that other o
I laugh, pointing at the big plate of apple pie on the table. “Well, I’m glad to see that you’re feeling cheerful,” I say, grinning at her. “I am!” she says, happily plopping down next to Jesse and reaching for the pie, pulling it all onto her lap and digging in with a fork. “I don’t think that an
Jesse’s eyes open first, and then Midnight’s, slow and sleepy. “How do you feel?” I ask quietly, leaning towards her, able to see her better now in the dawn light that streams through the windows. “What happened?” Jackson asks. I turn to see him standing at the door and I smile, reaching out a h