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
“Hi! Hi cuties!” Mom’s voice rings out the moment the five of us troop into the room. The Captain enters too, going to stand out of sight in the corner. “It’s so good to see you, I – oh!”I frown when I see her go a bit still on the video screen, seated there next to Cora with dad and Roger standing
My four Alphas turn to me as I steadily hold the Captain’s gaze. “We’re ready,” I say, soft and sure, and my wolf howls proud in my heart. Because even if there’s still pain, and even if I am still finding my feet amongst all this grief, my nation needs me now.And god damn it, but I’m going to show