“Ariel,” Jackson breathes, turning towards me with his eyes wide. “It’s hypothetical – I don’t think – I never –“My body’s temperature begins to increase exponentially as I just stare at my mate, my wolf whimpering and snarling in me at turns as I turn the idea over in my mind, unable to turn away
“We talked about this too,” mom says, still looking at me anxiously and clearly wanting to check that I’m all right even as she responds to Rafe. I do my best to give her a steady nod, still holding Jackson’s hand tight in mine. “We think that…the God of Darkness, in possessing Alvez’s body, was…put
“Okay, so, ground rules are clear?” mom says, arms crossed, looking around at us. Fifteen minutes have passed and while we’re all equally freaked out, we’re much calmer and more ready to…call upon a Goddess, apparently.Quietly, we all just nod, staring at mom, I think all kind of wondering if this
“Sorry,” he says, I think working hard to be polite and not knowing precisely what level to strike. “But, um…what did you mean when you said that?” He points now towards Tony and Jackson. “When you said they…weren’t yours?”“Oh, look at you, little godling,” the Goddess says, moving across the room
“What do you mean?” the Goddess asks, grinning at Jesse, clearly a little entertained and looking around the room as if she’s going to see Jesse’s mate hiding in a corner or something. “Of course you’ve met your mate – that’s how it works! My magical gifts can’t develop until your mate comes along t
“It is clear, little daughter, that you and your mates do not understand. So I will say this once to ensure that I am perfectly clear: I did not give you these mates simply because it pleased me to grace you with abundance. I did it because it was necessary to your gift – and because your gift is ne
The Goddess beams at my question. “You really like this one, don’t you?” She nods her head to the side to indicate Jackson, still frozen next to me.I raise my chin, my teeth clenched, not bothering to answer. Because I’m sure she can see it, read it in every line of me – that Jackson is the most pr
“Nope,” Tony says instantly, staring at her warily, holding his hands up as if to protest his innocence. “I’m…good.”The Goddess laughs then, the sound somewhere between the tinkling of bells and the soft shush of ocean waves. “My boy likes a mystery, then.”“Your boy?” Tony asks, shocked. “But I th
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