Slowly, Jackson’s mouth pulls into a smile as he realizes that this isn’t a maze at all.It’s a cage.A cage with nothing in it. And if there’s something that the Atalaxians have built here that they’re either trying to keep in, or protect themselves from? Well. That’s something he wants to know mor
“No, Jesse!” Midnight laughs, stumbling forward outside of her yurt and grabbing his shadow panther right out of the air, making it dissolve away to smoke and reeling it into herself. Jesse gasps as he loses control of it, letting it pass into Midnight’s capable hands. “Why do you keep making animal
“Fuck, Ariel,” Jackson whispers, trembling a little in shock and relief. “I’ve missed you so much – I’m so sorry –““Sorry,” I say, lifting my face and sniffing hard, even as tears continue to fall from my eyes. “Why are you sorry.”“Because I let them take you,” he murmurs, sticking an arm through
Jackson snarls down into my face, though I don’t budge an inch, completely unafraid. Because even if fear and anger ripple through him at that confirmation, I know that none of this is for me. For my grandmother, perhaps – but not for me.“Hey,” I whisper, reaching a hand up and cupping his cheek in
He blinks once, I think shocked.“I’m serious,” I say, squeezing his hand, holding his gaze. “I’ve had time to think in here – time is the only thing I have – and when I get home? You’re the only mate I want. I don’t want Gabriel – and I don’t want Luca, okay? I just want you. Me and you – and that’
Jackson kisses me softly through the bars of my little Atalaxian cage. I lean my full weight against them, letting my hand slip up over Jackson’s stubbled cheek and then back into his hair.He pulls away, snarling a little, both for want of me and, well –“I hate these fucking bars,” he growls, glan
“Oh, just be quiet and let me concentrate.”Jesse does as he’s bid, only grumbling a little. Because they’ve been here for hours, and while the blob at the center has shifted a couple of times, there’s no way to really know if it’s people or…something else. Either way, it seems thoroughly encaged, s
Midnight, snarling, suddenly appears before Jesse in his path. “You stop,” she growls, a hand held out towards him. “You stop right now –“Jesse just gives her a look like she’s insane and dodges around her, picking up speed as Jackson calls out his name and starts to run for him in turn. Laughing,
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