I smile at her, charmed again. “I don’t know. Maybe I should have asked before I flipped out, hmm?”“Probably,” she says with a shrug, taking another long sip of her drink as she carefully considers me. “Do you want a puppy, Ariel? Because if it’s your mate’s puppy, it’s going to be around and stuff
When Jesse, Mark, and I arrive back in the living room, I give my father a steady nod of acknowledgement before I move immediately for Jacks.He reaches for me with one arm, the other stretched out next to Marigold, holding a handful of beads up for her and Seraphina as they sit on the couch, string
Jackson tenses, snarling too, tucking his daughter a bit behind him as Hank’s eyes go wide, staring at the little girl.“What’s going on here?” Jackson growls. “How do you –““What is going on?” a voice says. “Dad, let me through –“Maryam steps forward then, peering into the room with a frown, scow
“Oh…oh my god,” Maryam says, taking a step back, shock all over her face. She presses a hand to her heart, shaking her head. “She’s…gone? That’s…that’s so fucking awful…”“You knew her?” I ask, stepping close to Jackson’s side and glancing at Marigold, wondering if she should be listening to this.“
“Let me take this little rabbit,” Maryam says, quite gentle and friendly, reaching for Marigold. Jackson tilts the little girl towards her friend and Marigold laughs, going happily and easily to Maryam, who takes her over to the window to look outside.“I’m so sorry, Jackson,” Hank says, coming clos
“Has Ella looked her over?” Hank asks, his professional demeanor returning now as he studies Marigold from a few feet away. Maryam turns, hearing the shift in her father’s voice and bringing Marigold back over. “Is she healthy, besides being malnourished?”“Oh, she’s fine,” mom says, clearly overhea
“Whatever assault on the Community you’re planning should seek to provide as much humanitarian aid as it does military force,” Hank says, sure and clear. “The goal should not merely to be to defeat whoever is in charge but to bring help to those who are suffering. I will only participate in this cou
“Okay!” I say, cheerful and excited, looking down at my mate’s little girl. “Change of plans, Goldie! We’re going to welcome a new baby into the world!”Marigold looks up at me with a little frown on her rosebud lips, clearly still not understanding and not particularly liking the face that candy ha
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