Jesse laughs, coming over to us, his backpack slung over his back. “Rosie’s all ready for you, June,” he says, grinning and patting her on the shoulder. “Says she’s giving you a makeover.” Juniper groans louder now, tilting her head back and venting her rage to the sky. I can’t help but laugh, but
“Oh, you’re making that up, Juniper,” I sigh, flicking through the magazine myself now with a happy sigh. “My baby Mark doesn’t have a p**n collection – he’s just a little baby. Plus, p**n is all on computers these days anyway.” June shrugs. “He likes it vintage.” “Are you okay with this?” I ask
“I am not!” Mom says with a sigh and a dismissive wave of her hand, clearly done with this argument. “It just made sense. Now if we can please get on our way, beloved daughter?” I scowl and storm away, not looking back over my shoulder, pissed as hell. Ella moves to follow Ariel, but Rafe reache
“I wasn’t out with another girl,” Jackson protests, frowning at Jesse but still clearly not getting it. “Is that…bad? Is…” he frowns, clearly thinking back on it. “I just thought she was being friendly. Plus, free drinks…” I just scowl at Jesse and wrap my arm possessively around Jackson’s, not li
“Yes, just what everyone wants when they’re searching for the perfect home,” dad murmurs, sending her a smirking glance. Mom nods eagerly, like that’s obviously true. Jackson and I keep quiet, standing close together. Feeling my anxiety, he sends a warm pulse of reassurance down our bond and brush
To one one’s surprise, Neumann again glances at his watch. “I already told Cadet Sinclair that I’d be disappointed if she didn’t return. I’ve put quite a bit of preparation into her continued enrollment this semester.” He glances at Alvez and the Captain on either side of him. “If either of you have
“Ariel will merely continue to keep her secret,” Neumann says, gesturing towards me. “Her brother and cousin will continue scent marking her to hide her scent. The realities of her sex and gender will be kept strictly secret amongst those who already know, which…” he pauses and gives Jackson a quick
When my professors have gone and it’s just the five of us left in the room, my father tuns and gives us all a sharp nod. “Good,” he says, looking between us Cadets. “That went better than I thought it would. It seems almost as if…at least Neumann was already aware.” I give a little shrug, admittin
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