Chapter 600

"Well, it's your lucky day, Jacks," I say, giving him a big smile. “Because...I kind of asked about that when she froze time and we had a little...secret meeting."

"What?" he asks, sitting up a little.

I laugh, nodding. "Yeah, I couldn't resist - couldn't not know. She told me that I'm your only mate - a fact that gives me a great deal of relief, even if...” I hesitate now, grimacing a little, “it is hypocritical."

Jackson groans with relief, falling back to the ground and wrapping an arm around me to take me with him. I laugh, resting my head against his chest, pleased to feel that he, too, is happy and relieved at the news.

"Thank god," he murmurs. "I can barely handle you, Clark. Don't want another one. Don't want anyone but you."

I nod, tilting my head to press a soft kiss to his shirt, and we sit in silence for a moment as I let Jackson collect this thoughts.

“So, you have time to ask the Goddess only a few questions in private," he murmurs, “including questions about the gift the God of Darkness gave you...and you asked about whether or not I have another mate?"

I laugh, sitting up and grinning down at him as he peers up at me - exhausted, pleased and curious all at once. "I do have my priorities straight, Jacks,” I say daintily, pressing my fingers to my chest. "I needed to know if there's some girl out there that I needed to have locked away in a dungeon or something."

He laughs, shaking his head at me, but then narrows his eyes a little. “What else happened?" he asks. “In the private conference? That news wasn't enough to have you on your feet, your chair knocked over."

I bite my lip, my face falling into more serious lines, considering what to say and shutting down my end of the bond a bit for privacy. Jackson waits patiently, watching my face. "Would it be okay," I ask quietly, "to...keep that to myself a little longer? Just until I have some time to turn it all over in my mind and know how I feel about it?"

Jackson frowns at me and I can feel his worry down the bond as he raises the hand from my back, sliding it softly over my hair. "But you're okay if you do that? Nothing...we need to do, or take care of?"

I shake my head then, softly, barely moving it. Because, I mean, there is time...three months is not a long time, but...

Well, I know that if I told Jackson

what the Goddess said right now, he'd wake up and give me his mark right now rather than risk losing me, having her break our bond. But perhaps selfishly, I don't want it to

happen like that - Content belongs

I want Jackson to give me his mark freely, because he wants to and because I want it. Not because a Goddess demands it. And while that's maybe too romantic for our situation...I have some time, right?

Quite suddenly, I make a snap an

arbitrary decision to give it one

month. One month to try everything I can to persuade Jackson to give me his mark as naturally as I can

then, it doesn't happen by the an

tell him about the Goddess's ultimatum. That's...that's plenty of time, right? To let it happen naturally?

I'II

Inwardly, my wolf nudges me and I guiltily add Luca to the list. One month to get Jackson's mark and Luca's. Both of their marks, both of my mates.

I sigh, looking to the side, wondering how the hell I'm going to manage this.

“Ariel,” Jackson murmurs, cupping my cheek in my hands, and I turn my eyes back to him. "Are you sure you want to wait to tell me what's going on?" "Yeah, babe," I whisper, laying myself down at his side and letting him wrap me up in his arms. "I'm sure. Don't worry about it – just...something I have to figure out."

"Okay,” he whispers, curling his body over and around me, protective and warm.

"At least we get to shoot people with paintball guns tomorrow," I say, working hard for a smile as I look up into his worried face. "That should take the edge off."

"Yes, victory is always a great relaxant," he murmurs, lowering himself to kiss my cheek, and then my jaw, and then my neck, moving his way down towards my shoulder. "Though now, I've got other things in mind."

d

I tilt my head back, eager to give my mate more of a canvas to work with, wishing you could get marks in the dream state - because honestly take it right now, if he'd give it. Though whether or not he to give me his mark as badly as I want to have it? noveldrama

Well. It's a question I'm not sure I'm ready to ask.