Chapter 467

“This has nothing to do with whether or not we’re grateful for what Jackson did for this family and this nation,” my father says, staring at me, cold.

“With all the resources this family has,” I snarl, “with everything that we have imagined for our people – vastly different futures, equality between wolves and humans, and end to the kind of Atalaxian government that reduces women to chattel. But, somehow, we can’t imagine a single way to let a young man continue his education just because he has a child!?”

“Ariel,” Jackson sighs, reaching for my hand. “You’re going too far –“

“No, I’m not,” I snarl, whipping my hand out of his grasp. “And if you won’t stand up for what you deserve, Jackson, I will!” I turn my face back to my father and my uncle, a desperate frown on my lips. “You raised me to believe in better values that you’re enacting right now. And I’m ashamed of you.”

I whip my head down to my mate, letting him know mind to mind that I can’t be in this room any longer, asking if he wants to come with me.

But he just sighs and slumps back against the couch, not knowing what to do, not knowing where he stands. Not wanting to anger my father and my uncle, who have been so good to him. Not…not knowing what his next move should be, or can be.

“Fine,” I growl, storming for the door alone.

“I, for one, agree with her,” Jesse says, following behind me. “Ariel’s ethics are right on this and, whether or not you see it yet, she’s revolutionizing the way things are done in this world. Anyone who catches themselves on the opposing side from Ariel should…seriously reconsider their shit.” His footsteps echo behind me as I storm out into the hall.

“I agree too,” Cora’s voice sounds, light and easy, though I can barely hear it now as I march away. “Though I am too relaxed to dramatically storm out, you should all imagine me doing so. For solidarity.”

My feet carry me forward, rage overtaking my mind and not letting me think anything but thoughts that replay my anger, and my arguments, and my conviction that this can’t – it can’t just be impossible for Jackson to return to school –

She’s just a little girl – she’s very small and portable – how is this derailing our entire education!?

My steps pound up and up a staircase and I only come back to myself when my hand slams against a door, shoving it open, and cool afternoon air rushes over me. I stop dead in my tracks, my breath panting a little, and just stare forward at the yurt as Jesse comes to stand next to me, barely breathing hard.

Which is infuriating. As usual. God damn athletic Alphas.

“Shit,” I say, looking up at him. “Is it…is it okay? To come here? When I’m all pissed off?”

“Everyone seeks comfort in the yurt!” Jesse says, sweeping a dramatic hand out towards it before looking down at me with a small smile. “It’s fine, Ari. Mids would love to talk you through your drama. She’s a shockingly good listener, as long as you don’t mind hearing the deadpan truth of her opinions when you’re finished spilling your guts.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Can I drink demon juice as I talk?”

“Oh, it’s encouraged,” he says, raising his eyebrows at me.

“What’s going on?” Midnight calls, pushing back the flap from her yurt and frowning at us, the bright orange glow from her tent warm and inviting. I can’t help but smile a little when I see that she’s wearing a hoodie over what I can only describe as a ballgown skirt.

“Jackson got a pup and Ariel is confused,” Jesse says, quite succinct, pointing at me.

“We’re drinking demon juice and venting our woes, Mids!” I call, striding for the ever-full wine fridge in the outdoor kitchen.

“Sounds good!” she calls, ducking back in. “Come inside!”

As I sit on a pillow, sipping my wine and looking around, I consider hat the yurt has gotten…shockingly cozy since I’ve last been in it. Somehow Midnight procured a little space heater that looks like a fireplace and it kicks off a great deal of heat. Beyond that, there are dozens of blankets and books and little shelves filled with snacks.

“You’ve done good for yourself, Mids,” I murmur, kind of thinking that maybe I’ll just set up a yurt outside Alpha Academy to live in with Jacks and Marigold. I mean, the way Midnight makes it look, it’s a very cozy life.

“Thanks!” Midnight says, quite pleased, plopping down in front of me with a glass of orange soda. Jesse lays on his side next to both of us, quite calm and casual. “Miss Ella has been very nice and gives me whatever I ask for, and also brings me stuff up too. She brings me lots of clothes.”

“Mom loves clothes,” I say, nodding understandingly. “She’ll fill the whole yurt if you let her.”

“She says I can store them downstairs. But you,” Mids says, pointing a finger at my face. “Are avoiding telling me a gossip. Where did Jackson get a pup?”

I scowl a bit, certainly caught in the act. “It’s his daughter, Mids,” I say with a shrug. “He only just found out she existed yesterday, which is…insane.”

Midnight’s eyes go wide. “So…so he made the pup?” she asks, leaning forward a bit breathless. “Doing…doing the sex?”

I work very, very hard not to laugh at this, not wanting to embarrass her. But I can’t help the wide smile that spreads over my face. “Yup, that’s how it happens.”

“Oh man,” Midnight says, sitting up straight. “That’s so gross. But you are not the pup’s mother? How does that work?”

“Our Jackson got around in his youth,” Jesse says, peering over at Mids, clearly entertained. “He’s faithful to Ariel now – we presume –“

I snarl at my cousin, who shoots a grin at me before turning his eyes back to Mids.

“But before he met Ariel,” Jesse continues, “he knew another girl. And they liked each other, so…” he shrugs, letting Midnight fill in the blank.

Midnight’s eyes narrow further. “Was she a whore?”

I burst out laughing. “Mids, no! By all accounts she was a perfectly lovely girl.”

Midnight hums consideringly, taking a sip from her soda. “Is the baby cute? And well behaved?”

“Very cute,” I say, nodding my confirmation. “And well behaved, so far.”

“And is the mother coming to demand that Jackson return so he can perform the labor of caring for the child?”

“No,” I say, my voice softening with sadness. “She died, Midnight. So, Marigold –“

“What’s a Marigold?”

“It’s Jackson’s pup’s name,” I say, laughing a little. “But yes, Marigold only has Jackson now, so he’s going to raise her.”

Midnight cocks her head to the side, considering me. “Well, then why are you mad?”

I cock my head too. “What?”

“You came up here all angry,” Midnight says. “But…things sound pretty good. After all, you got a free pup out of this – a cute and well-behaved one – and you didn’t have to do any of the sex or the birth or anything. And no one is demanding that Jackson leave. So why are you mad?”

I sigh, thinking that Midnight…rather has a knack for putting things in perspective, doesn’t she? “I’m mad because my family is saying that Jackson can’t go back to school because he has to stay and take care of his kid. Which means I can’t go to school, because I’m certainly not going to abandon him.”

“Well, why can’t the pup go with you?” Midnight asks, sitting up straight.

“That’s what I said!” I gasp, leaning forward, eager. Midnight nods to me, sharp, like it’s finished.

“Don’t you think it will be too dangerous for a pup?” Jesse asks, looking at Midnight curiously. “All those weapons and Alphas running around learning to be dangerous? Plus, Marigold won’t be able to go to school, and she’ll not have any friends when there are no other children around.”

Midnight just rolls her eyes. “You could have said the same thing about Ariel enrolling. Won’t she be lonely, without any other girls? Isn’t it too dangerous for a girl? And all that.”

Jesse’s eyes flash back to me. “Good argument. And you came out with flying colors.”

“Yes well, I think they will have a stronger case with Marigold,” I say, a bit dry. “As she won’t have anyone to take care of her while Jackson and I are in class.”

“I’ll come and take care of her,” Midnight says with a casual shrug.

Jesse and I whip our eyes to her.

“That is,” Midnight says, looking between us with her clear dark eyes. “Until I enroll officially in Alpha Academy in the fall. So, you’ll need a new babysitter come September. But until then, I’d be happy to ensure Jackson’s pup doesn’t die while you’re away.”

Jesse and I just stare at Midnight in shock for…a myriad of reasons.