“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
Marigold studies me for a long moment and I feel Jackson step close, feel him settle down on the ground behind me. The little girl flicks her eyes to him and then back to me.“Ariel,” she whispers, and my name said in her tiny voice makes my heart seize. I smile at her – a big, rich smile – even as
“Um,” Mark says, running a hand through his hair, his eyes again straying to the exit. “I think I want a walk.”“You okay, baby?” I ask, turning to him with a frown. Mark – why is he being weird now? Honestly, with all of these developments, I’m not sure I can handle anything new from Mark too.“I’m
“Hey,” I growl, pointing my finger between Rafe and Jesse, starting to get pissed. “I am here for Jackson – I have been very kind throughout all of this huge, insane surprise tonight –““That boy has been there for you, Ariel,” Rafe interrupts, still very, very serious. “And you dragged him through