Chapter 692

Slowly, I shake my head. Because even if my grandmother hadn't forbidden it, I still know that it's true. That I still want Luca - he's still my mate. Jackson nods, closing his eyes just for a moment, processing it. And I feel the hurt swelling down the bond, but also feel him shutting it down, not wanting to let me feel that. Not wanting me to feel guilt.

I sigh, wiggling a little so that I rest lower against Jackson's body, resting my head on his chest, tucked beneath his chin. He tightens his arms. "Even if...even if I gave you my mark, though, Ariel...it wouldn't have been right. Your scent would have changed, and everyone would have known, and people would have figured out that you're a girl. It would have been a big deal - and you have so much on your plate already."

I sigh, nodding, knowing that he's right.

Still, my wolf bares her teeth, disappointed. Our mark, she growls, inwardly, just to me. We need it. Want it. Ours.

I murmur softly to her, stroking a hand over her fur, even though I feel precisely the same. I mean, I know Jackson's right, but a very fervid part of me wants to just tell everyone else to go fuck themselves. He's my mate - I want his mark, my mark. Why on earth are we tiptoeing around everyone else to get it?

"Hey," Jackson says softly, worried, drawing my attention back up to him.

I lift my scowling face to meet his and his eyes crinkle into a soft smile.

"I love you," he says, cupping my cheek in his palm. "I am so in love with you, Ariel. You don't need to worry - I promise, I'll give it to you. But...maybe this is enough for today?"

"You'd better give it to me," I snarl, snapping my teeth at him and giving him a playful shove, making him laugh. "I just...love you a lot, Jacks. I know everything you said is right. I just..." I sigh. "I really want it."

"Bossy little wolf," Jackson murmurs, suddenly snatching me up and rolling me so that I sprawl over his chest. I laugh, cheered a bit, sitting up a little so that I can grin down at him. "Very greedy too, wanting to lose your virginity and get a mark in one day? Honestly, Ariel, save something for the future -"

"Jackson!" I shout, laughing, giving his shoulder a hard shove as I sit up fully and straddle his hips, smacking him on the chest. "You are being so withholding! Making me beg for sex, beg for a mark! The Goddess is going to smite you for turning me into a sniveling little sex supplicant -"

He roars with taughter, grabbing for me, pulling me close, but I resist - continuing to smack him and call him names. A scuffle ensues, which Jackson of course wins - rolling me in the sheets until I'm pinned back against the mattress.

Which, honestly, I don't mind. Not at all.

Still, I pout, petulant, and wiggle my body beneath him, making him clench his jaw in order to focus and maintain his glare.

"Fine," I snap, snarling playfully back and holding one finger up to his mouth. "Just give me a mini mark."

"What?" he asks, his face breaking as he grins down at me. "What the hell is a mini mark?"

"Just like a teeny tiny little mark!" I burst out, grinning playfully up at him, "here, on my finger, where no one will notice it!"

"Ariel!"

I jump a little at the sudden pain but then burst into a grin as I observe the tiny little line of blood, the barely-visible edge of the cut.noveldrama

"Happy now?” he asks, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Yup,” I say, turning back to him with a big grin. "I like it when you let me win. And I love my mini mark."

Jackson laughs again, dipping his lead low to lick at the little drop of blood, and then rolls again to his side so that our bellies are pressed together. I sigh happily and drop my hand, feeling my wolf healing already at work on the cut.