And when I do, Luca’s right there, holding me tight. I tilt my head up, looking into his eyes, and he cups my cheek in his hand, looking seriously down into my face. “You win,” I murmur, and he bursts into laughter as I tuck my head under his chin, and press my flushed cheek against his chest, a
“No,” I laugh, wrinkling my nose at him and smacking him playfully on the chest. “I don’t want to give you any encouragement.” Luca growls, snatching me closer, willing me to tell what I’m thinking. And I can’t help it – I just laugh and lean back against his arm. “I kind of like it when you’re bo
I stare at him, shocked, and Luca just grins at me. “Do you – do you speak Itablio?” I ask. “I mean, just a little,” he says with a shrug as his family moves eagerly around us, setting out food and drinks, turning on music. “Of course he speaks Itablio, it’s his native tongue!” his mother says,
At Luca’s house, the company is really the thing that shines. His cousins and family are just so funny – they’re also a little bit mean to each other, in a teasing, familial way, but every insult is lined with love and is so damn funny that I’m laughing until my sides ache. And of course, my sides
We walk slowly to the front porch, murmuring our plans for tomorrow. His family lets me go with a few calls of goodbye, but without much fuss. I’m warmed by this – by the casual goodbye of family members who know they’ll see you soon, and so don’t need to make a big deal out of it. As we step onto t
I’m quiet for a moment, thinking of the ways that Bruce’s assessment of his nephew – who is so much more of a son to him – line up with my own experiences with my mate. It’s true that Luca is emotional, though I’m not sure I’d have thought of him that way before now. Luca’s willful, and bossy, and
Well. I didn’t think about it either, did I? I set my jaw, offended and guilty all at once. “I’m sorry,” Bruce says, shaking his head as he sees my expression. “It’s just…I think it would be good for Luca, and helpful, if you really understood his situation, and his world. You need to help him m
I got home a little too late to see anyone. I mean, Rafe was probably awake somewhere, but I didn’t really feel like going to find him, so instead I simply cracked open the door to my parent’s room and called softly inside to let them know that I was home – groggy affirmations greeted me from both,
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