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
I tilt my head to the side at this, curious about that thought process. Where on earth had that come from? Tony as my mate? Honestly, the idea is…ridiculous to me, even though Luca was jealous of him too, so some kind of romantic connectoin was clearly on his mind as well. But Jackson catches himsel
Jackson’s silence is long. Too long.I whip my face back to him, my mouth a grim line.His expression is…carefully blank.“Oh no,” I whisper, slumping down, my hand whipping up to cover the mark. “You hate it –““Ari,” he sighs, scowling and swatting at my forearm, attempting to knock my hand aside.
And then I lift my finger, and hold it close to Luca’s mark for comparison, and see that Jackson’s…right. That it’s quite subtle, but the mini mark is…different. It…shines, almost? Just barely perceptible, an incredibly faint line of silver tracing through it? And Luca’s mark has none of that.“Oh,
Jesse puts his head down, panting, and pushes harder to keep up with Rafe.Because Jesses’s fit, of course – he can beat almost anyone else in Warrior track now that Grant has left the school. But Rafe? He’s always been faster. Still, if Jesse pushes a little more, he knows he can keep up –But he g
“There is no bond!” Rafe shouts, turning back towards him. When Jesse’s steps slow, his mouth drawing to a thin line, Rafe laughs and crosses his arms. “Go ahead, Jess. Tell me there’s a bond. Honestly, say it, truthfully, and I’ll believe you. I’ll get on my knees and beg forgiveness.”Jesse glares
“Jess –“ Rafe holds out a hand towards his cousin, deeply aware that he’s crossed a bridge he never, ever wanted to cross. That he’s said the words his cousin has maybe been waiting for, and fearing, his entire life.“No,” Jesse says, shaking his head, his eyes filling with tears. “You said it. Now
“Sure is, whole pot since we beat Jesse here,” Ben murmurs, beginning to pour. Jackson puts a warm hand on my knee as I open my eyes and force a smile to my lips, watching the pretty brown liquid splash into my cup.I send a warm pulse of affection to Jacks and chat with Ben as I sip slowly at my co