She pants a little in her panic, looking around the room again for some help. But everyone’s face – everyone’s, her father’s included – is rich with a great depth of sadness and pity. Maryam, finding no recourse there, turns her vicious gaze back to Rafe.It cuts him in his soul, the hatred in her g
Mark walks down the hall with a heavy heart, his hands sunk deep in his pockets, a scowl across his lips. God, he just…can’t seem to do anything right, can he?He regrets it, of course. Immediately he regretted it, treating Rafe’s news so lightly, laughing about it, not paying attention enough to re
Mark cries out, just slightly, as his wolf howls and scratches and begs him to go forward, to grab the door, to push it open, to find her, to grab her into his arms –Mate mate mate mate mate – he snarls again and again, over and over in Mark’s mind.And Mark groans, because he knows – he knows his
A grumbling, groaning little half-sigh breaks from Daphne’s lips as she stirs from her sleep. Because no, she does…not want to be awake right now.Please, she begs her wolf, who is shaking out her fur, turning towards the door with interest. You’re imagining it – you always are. It’s not real – he’s
But eventually her tears subside, just a little. And she quiets and stills. And raises her head to look into his face.His heart breaks to see the very real sadness there, and he lifts a hand, brushing at the tears on her cheek with his thumb, his eyes taking in the rough redness around her eyes, an
“Daphne, I am not asking you to be my mistress!” Jesse bites out, his teeth clenching.“Did you come here with romantic intent?” she asks, prim and formal. “Desiring to continue, in some way, our relationship?”“Yes,” he says, working hard to reel his temper back in, ashamed at himself for losing it
And as he knew she would, Daphne tilts her head back and laughs – long and peeling. He smiles a little, watching her, relishing that. Daphne – she’s not easily offended, and she has enough self-confidence not to let herself be hurt by such a deeply untrue judgment.“Oh, god,” Daphne says, still laug
I wake up to the feeling of Jackson’s broad hand stroking over my hair and I squeak, petulant, turning my face so that my other cheek is pressed to his chest. Then I nuzzle close, my eyes pressed determinedly shut, refusing to wake up.“Ariel, it’s nearly noon,” Jackson murmurs, laughing a little.“
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