“But I was fine!” I protest, casting out a hand. “That guy with the beard – he was just hitting on me! He was harmless – he went away as soon as you asked him to!”“Right,” Tony says, nodding to me. “But he could have been dangerous. It was just luck that brought a relatively nice guy over to your t
“Ooookay,” Ben says, his own voice low and sad. A moment later I feel his arms around my shoulders, feel him pull me into his lap and tilt me back so that my head is against his chest, my head tucked beneath his chin. “Maybe…maybe enough of the tough love for now. She’s not going to eat a single tac
“Oh, Jesse’s not going anywhere,” Rafe says, reaching out a hand to beckon to our cousin. “We’ve got to talk. As a group.”“Where’s Luca?” Jackson asks, looking around the room with a frown, probably noticing his absence for the first time.Ben, Jesse, and Tony collectively groan and I grin at my ma
The Captain and I are locked into a stalemate for a long, long moment, neither of us given in. He glares down at me, baring his teeth just slightly, trying to get me to break.But I just stare back up at him, impassive.I’ve dealt with Alphas bigger than him all my life. If he thinks he can scare me
I stare up at him, my temper firmly leashed, my jaw set even though I am absolutely filled with rage from head to toe. How dare he – how dare he not even listen to me!? When I have so much to give – and so much I can offer.“Is that your final word on this, sir?” I ask. “You won’t even allow me to d
The boys let me have my space for much longer than I thought they would – for hours, really. I spend a long time in the bath, simmering and calming down before I begin to sort through my thoughts. Then, when I’m calm enough, I take each individual issue in turn, piece by piece. In time, each of the
“Whoa,” Jackson says, inhaling a deep breath as he wakes up next to me, immediately feeling my foul disposition. “You’re in an…interesting mood today.”I huff a little laugh and sit up, straddling his hips and putting my hands on his chest, peering down into his face. “I’m not moody at you, though,”
To my shock, Rafe just wraps me up in his arms and pulls me into a tight hug. “If you get killed I’ll never forgive you,” he murmurs, his head ducked low against my own. “And dad will slaughter me. So. Avoid that, please. I would like to live long enough to meet my mate.”I go still but then laugh a
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