“And is – is his face all bruised?” Ariel asks, looking closer at a rare picture in which he’s not wearing sunglasses. “Do we have any idea where that came from?”“We don’t,” Ella sighs, looking steadily at her daughter, watching her reaction. “But I don’t have to make a ton of guesses, considering
Mom hears the worry in my voice and snuggles down next to me. “The boys say Jackson’s fine, Ari. Worried but fine. I wish you wouldn’t worry so much. But, I do understand.”“They didn’t say he’s fine,” I say on a sigh. “They said he’s been prowling around as his wolf, all full of woe, snapping at an
“Nah, man, I’m just trying to make you laugh,” Jesse says softly, stepping closer and clasping a hand to Jackson’s shoulder. “It looks like you’re…figuring things out. I just want to be here for you. I know you’re going through it.”“Thank you,” Jackson whispers, his voice breaking a little.Jesse j
The room is quiet when I get back in the morning, dressed again in Cadet black with Rafe’s cap on my head. I look around and frown as Jesse and Rafe escort me in, doggedly close to my heels and my side.Very sweet in thought. Very annoying in practicality.“Where’s Jacks?” I ask, turning towards the
I fall to my knees at his side, my shoulders shaking. “What the hell were you doing outside?” My question is tremulous, a whisper.“Um,” he says, glancing backwards at Jesse and Rafe. “I was just…being close. Because it was hard to be far. And Jesse said I should let you take charge? And wait until
Jackson just stares at me. “Ariel, what are you talking about? What would have changed?”I shrug, my hand awkwardly coming up, my fingers brushing the bandage over Luca’s mark. “I would…I mean, I understand. If things are different for you now that I’m…marked. I know I’m not the same as I was before
Wordless, but with understanding passing down the bond between us, Jackson places the DVD player in front of me on the bed and then squeezes in behind me, his back against the headboard. He presses a kiss to my hair as I lean back against him and continue eating my way through the desert tray, givin
Jackson and I each take a moment to clean up, brushing our teeth and splashing water on our faces, before we return to the nook – the place where we feel most secure. But I push the curtain back, letting the pre-dawn light stream in. Because that feels right, feels better.“So,” Jackson murmurs, wra