Chapter 368

Mom hears the worry in my voice and snuggles down next to me. “The boys say Jackson’s fine, Ari. Worried but fine. I wish you wouldn’t worry so much. But, I do understand.”

“They didn’t say he’s fine,” I say on a sigh. “They said he’s been prowling around as his wolf, all full of woe, snapping at anyone who gets too close. And that he doesn’t sleep and just goes and wolfishly gazes at the moon.”

“Because it reminds him of youuu,” mom coos, laughing a little and snuggling closer to me. “And me. Because we’re elegant moon goddesses.”

“Yes, I understood,” I say, rolling my eyes but unable to keep the little smile on my face.

But still, my poor wounded wolf lifts her tired head and gives me another nudge in my soul, even as Cora and Daphne continue to sing, messing up the words and tripping over their own feet, laughing hysterically as they do.

“Will you keep a special eye on Junie at home, mom?” I whisper.

Mom turns to me, curious and concerned. “Of course, if you think I need to. But why?”

I shake my head, not knowing how or why I’m feeling this way. “Just…something about her knowing Redman Blythe and him being dead. She lost someone too, though I don’t know what he meant to her. Still – it’s too mysterious for my liking. Will you check in, for me?”

“I will,” mom promises. “It’s good of you to think of our little June-pipes.”

“And tell her I’m sorry I missed her birthday,” I whisper, closing my eyes against the guilt. “I’ll make it up to her soon.”

“She knows you will, baby,” mom whispers back. “Don’t worry about Junie. You’ll see her soon.”

---

Jesse sighs as, for the third night in a row, he lopes after Jackson in wolf form in the fields and forests that surround the Castle. And Jesse gets it – he really does. His boy Jackson is going through a very difficult time, it’s just…

God, why does he have such athletic best friends?

Why can’t Ariel have the kind of mate who wants to drown his sorrows in a bottle of whiskey while sitting before the fire? Jesse would be great at that.

But, this is what Jackson wants to do.

And because Jackson is his best friend, this is what Jesse is doing. About ten feet behind at all times, just in case Jacks needs him. And even though Jackson hasn’t once turned around, or stopped to speak with him, or done more than acknowledge his presence…Jesse knows that Jackson feels him here. Feels Jesse’s love, and his support, and his unshakeable willingness to just be there for Jacks in whatever way he needs.

It comes as a great shock to Jesse when at around one in the morning on the third night, Jackson shifts on the cliffside outside the Castle. Jesse comes to rather a hard stop to avoid slamming into the huge guy before him who stands with his hands in his pockets, just staring at the moon.

“Whoa,” Jesse says as he shifts into his human body, running a hand through his rumpled hair and panting a little. “Sorry man. I almost…knocked you off the cliff.”

“No you didn’t,” Jacks murmurs, only glancing at him.

Jesse smirks, standing at Jackson’s side and turning his own face up to the moon.

“You don’t have to be here, man,” Jackson says quietly. “I know you’re not getting any sleep and that you’re paying for it. I’m not going to like…get in any trouble or anything, if you leave my side.”

“No, I know that,” Jesse murmurs. “I’m not playing guard dog. I’m just…hanging out.”

“Hanging out?” Jackson asks, dry, turning his head to Jesse, dubious.

“Yeah, this is my favorite!” Jesse says, grinning and throwing his hands out to the side. “I love long night runs! In the cold! And staring at the moon with agony in my eyes, this is the best!”

Jackson huffs a single laugh and looks away, shaking his head. “Is that what it looks like to you?”

“Nah, man, I’m just trying to make you laugh,” Jesse says softly, stepping closer and clasping a hand to Jackson’s shoulder. “It looks like you’re…figuring things out. I just want to be here for you. I know you’re going through it.”

“Thank you,” Jackson whispers, his voice breaking a little.

Jesse just nods and stands silent with his friend.

“How do you think you’re going to handle it?” Jesse asks quietly a few minutes later. “When she comes back tomorrow?”

Their mother had texted a few hours back to let them know Ariel’s plans. It had been the thing that sent Jackson into a panic, made him shift and go for his run. Rafe had offered to come too, but Jesse told him to stay back with the phone just in case they got any further updates.

“I don’t know,” Jacks replies, his voice grave. “I mean, I love her. I just…had a very bodily reaction last time I saw her. I just honestly don’t know how I’m going to respond – I think it’s out of my control.”

“Well, you’d better be nice to her,” Jesse snaps, a little defensive, turning to glare at his friend.

“Obviously, Jesse,” Jackson growls, meeting his friend’s eyes. “I’m going to do everything in my power to be nice to her. I’m just being honest. I have no idea what it’s going to be like until I see her.”

“Are you jealous?”

“Of course I’m jealous!” Jackson bites out, tossing his hands to the side. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to see your mate with another man’s mark on her neck?”

Jesse’s heart sinks to the pit of his stomach at the thought of Daphne…Daphne marked.

“I think I’d die,” he says, quite honest, meeting Jackson’s eyes. “I don’t know how you’re alive right now. I’m not exaggerating.”

“I’m not sure it’s out of the realm of possibility,” Jackson murmurs, turning away to again look up at the moon. “I’ve been…trying to pray for strength. It’s not easy. Also, I’m not sure I’m good at prayers.”

“Eh, the Goddess is a family friend,” Jesse says with a shrug. “I think she’s less concerned about form as opposed to content.”

They’re quite for another long few moments.

“Ariel’s going to be really sad,” Jesse whispers. “Are you going to be able to handle that? Watching her cry over Luca, because he’s gone?”

Jackson remains tense and silent.

“I don’t think I could do it,” Jesse says quietly, shaking his head. “Holding my mate while she cried over another man? I don’t know if I’m strong enough to be that guy.”

“I don’t know if I am either,” Jackson murmurs, crossing his arms over his chest. “And I don’t know if that’s what she wants. Have you considered that? As a possibility?”

Jesse turns to him, confused.

“That she wanted it?” Jackson continues, such devastation in his blue eyes as he turns his head to Jesse. “That she…she picked him, after he saved her? And was going to reject me? And then they had some kind of fight, and it turned?” He shakes his head, hating it – all of it.

“That can’t be what happened, man,” Jesse says, tightening his hand on Jackson’s shoulder. “She loves you. She loves you so much.”

Jackson grits his teeth, his head bowing, turning towards Jesse.

And Jesse responds to the silent request in that action, wrapping his arms around his friend and holding him close. “You guys are going to figure it out, man,” Jesse whispers, rubbing a hand up and down Jackson’s back. “Just – if you don’t know where to start, let her take the lead. You’ll find the way. We’ll help.”

Jackson sniffs hard but nods and doesn’t pull away from the hug for a long time.

“Come on, man,” Jesse says. “Let’s get to you to bed. Morning comes faster if you’re asleep.”

For the first time, Jackson consents to be lead inside before dawn.