“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
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