“Markie, I need you to go downstairs,” Ella says, speaking swiftly and softly, her voice calm and cheerful. “Make all of the chefs leave the kitchen, no questions. And then start to pull out everything that’s good.”Mark nods and jumps up, disappearing out the door on his task.“What are…we going to
Jackson nearly trips over his own feet when he feels it.“Are you all right?” Ella asks, pausing in her steps to turn and look up at Jackson, frowning slightly.He just goes still, ignoring Ella, staring at the little girl because…Was that…a question? He felt? Down…down the bond?The little girl sh
“Adoption is always an option, Jackson,” Ella says, a bit too casual, quietly cutting another piece of cheese from the block. “If you don’t think you’re up for being a father. We could have her placed with a very nice family –“A rough snarl breaks from Jackson’s throat and Marigold goes still, turn
“Dad instincts, kicking in on day one,” Mark says, laughing a little, leaning back in his chair and popping a mint cookie in his mouth.Jackson sighs, thinking he’s getting a bit too much credit for that. He turns his eyes back to Ella. “How do I do this?”“Oh, it’s not so bad when they’re little li
For a moment my wolf likewise stands frozen with shock in my soul as we both just stare at the little girl in front of us.But then my wolf breaks into a terrible howl, starting to dart back and forth in my soul, panicked.I come back to myself, gasping in a long breath of air before I start to pant
“Ariel!” Jackson snaps, more panicked than angry, grabbing my arm and holding me tight like he’s afraid I’m going to run like my wolf is. “Tasha is – she’s dead, all right?”I whip my head back to him, my eyes wide, a moan climbing up my throat because –Oh my god.Oh my god –That little girl, all
“Ariel!” Jackson sputters, “fucking – no! I am not breaking up with you – I’m saying that if you don’t to be with me I would understand – that it would break my fucking heart but this is not your responsibility –“I cry out in protest, grabbing him closer to me, whipping an arm around his neck and c
“You’re far too kind to me, Ariel,” Jackson whispers, his throat tight.“No, I’m not,” I sigh, slumping against him as his wolf curls up around mine, giving her a long lick on her cheek and then resting his nose again over her neck. “I’m sorry I wasn’t nice and yelled. I think I freaked her out.”“Y