My heart pounds for a long moment before dad’s face shifts into a wide, happy smile.“Welcome to the family, son,” dad says, holding out a hand again towards Jacks.Jackson stares down at it for a second and I hear mom sniff next to me, working hard to hold back her tears, because she very well know
“Hello, trouble,” Cora murmurs, turning me away from the sight of her youngest child clambering over my mate like a jungle gym. “We were so worried for you!”“We were,” Roger sighs, wrapping his arms around both me and Cora at once, making me grin up at him. “But clearly we should have just chilled
“I – what?” Jackson sputters out, looking between all of us. “What beans?”“I explicitly asked you not to, Jacks!” Jesse says, appalled. “As a favor to your best friend!”“I didn’t spill any beans! I didn’t even have any beans!”“I still maintain that I am his best friend,” Rafe murmurs, looking smu
When Jackson and I come out of my room a little while later, in fresh soft clothes and all cleaned up, the party is in full swing. I laugh to see my family so heartily celebrating my homecoming, and my newly mated status, and Jackson’s addition to the family, and the end of the war.But still, my wo
“Cool!” I say, tucking my hands behind my back. “I left school for a little bit too. To like. Fight in the war and stuff.”“I know,” she says, sighing and looking away like she hates to give me a compliment. “I think it’s…really cool that you infiltrated an all-male academy and kicked the assess of
I look over at Mark to find him likewise studying Rafe in the same way I am, confused. Jesse clears his throat and I look over to see him nodding eagerly to me, darting his eyes over at Rafe, letting me know that he, too, clearly sees that something is up.“Well!” Mom says, smacking her leg and get
But there wouldn’t be time to ask anyway as a fairly feral cry sounds within the yurt. My head snaps towards it, shocked, as all five pups start barking with increased fervor, Chase even beginning to spin in eager circles at the sound.“What is happening?” I whisper.“Oh, just watch,” Jesse murmurs,
I laugh and happily move forward with Jesse, ducking into the yurt and looking around with curiosity at the surprisingly large, semi-shabby space. Some things were very obviously brought over from the Land of Darkness – like her bed and some of her pots and pans. But some things are very obviously n
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