I follow Ben as he strides confidently towards the large circular desk at the center of the room. The librarian – a younger man than I thought would have the job – glances up at us but then does a double take when he sees Ben. He groans a little, leaning against the reference desk. “What is it thi
“Judge me not, Ariel, that librarian is cute. And not all of us are on a sex ban right now,” he says, dry, laughing a little. “Don’t hold the rest of us to your ridiculous standards. There’s a lot of hooking up at this Academy – just not in your room.” I ignore his glib remark – because honestly,
“It happened just how you described, Ari,” he murmurs, shaking his head as he recalls it. “Of all things, it seriously felt like someone threw a damn brick at my wolf.” I smile a little, remembering telling him that metaphor at the club after Luca’s boxing victory but hating that it feels so accur
I sit up straighter, surprised. “The one with the crown?” I ask, a little horrified at the idea. “Or – the one next to him?” “The one next to him,” Ben says, nodding seriously, and I feel a whoosh of relief – because the one with the crown…my wolf raises her hackles at his memory. There was someth
“My very lackluster current plan,” Ben continues on a sigh, lifting his eyes to mine, “is to study really hard.” I burst out laughing at this, shaking my head, because he sounds like me in this moment – diving into homework like it’s going to save the world. Ben grins, sensing the direction of m
“It doesn’t work like that, Ari,” Ben says, smirking at me. “What are you suddenly immune to all other men’s charms now that Jackson and Luca are in your life?” “Yes,” I say, my eyes falling half shut in derision. “Two is enough. I don’t need any more crushes.” “Well, if Rafe wants to make out b
When I walk into class, I grin to see that everyone else is here. Rafe and Jesse joke casually with Jacks while Tony lounges at his desk, his long legs sticking out from under it as he flicks through a book. Of course, my smile fades as soon as I hear Alvez’s voice to my left. “Very nearly late…
Jesse and Rafe blink and stare around, confused. But Alvez claps his hands together, breaking the tension and ignoring Tony’s question. “Let’s move on. I’d like an update, please, regarding the status of your magic and if there has been any progress over the break. Davis, I’m assuming by your rath
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