“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
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