Page 7 of Moonlight and Mischief
“He was such a chicken!” Onyx says, his grin showing all of his straight, white teeth.
“There were over a dozen raccoons on the porch and when I tried coming back in, they all hissed at me. Of course, I was scared,” Slate explains.
I can’t hold my giggles in any longer, laughing so hard that tears come to my eyes.
Cedar nods, “We accidentally left snacks outside. That’s why there were so many.”
“You peed yourself?” Hazel asks between fits of laughter.
Slate shakes his head. “I don’t remember that part.”
“I do!” Onyx says brightly.
Hazel softens, hooking her hands behind his head. “That sounds fun. I wish I had grown up with you guys.”
My laughter dies away, seeing Jasper’s expression dull. There’s a stiffness in his posture that wasn’t therea moment ago. Jasper and Hazel are the only ones who didn’t grow up here. I know he doesn’t like to think about the years he spent under his parent’s rule.
Clearing her throat, Hazel changes the subject. “Hawthorne told me that almost everyone finally agreed to an Alpha Counsel! So it sounds like that’ll finally happen.”
“That’s amazing,” I yelp, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. He’s spent hours over the last few months negotiating with our neighboring packs to arrange such a meeting, and it hasn’t been easy.
The barest flush colors Jasper’s cheeks. “It’s a good step forward.”
The moment is perfect until Onyx adds, “And your shit-head dad can’t ignore you there.”
“Onyx!” I grimace. At least he hadn’t mentioned Sienna, the mother Jasper and Slate share. She’s the one I’m frightened of between the two Alphas.
Jasper laughs bitterly, “I’m sure he’ll do his best. But it doesn’t matter. I won’t be participating in the meeting, just assisting, if I’m there at all.”
It has to be hard to face your parents after they publicly announced you were dead to them.
I give his hand another reassuring squeeze. At some point, his fingers have threaded with mine, and it feels too nice to break away.
Cedar stretches. “It’s getting late and I have an early morning with Cheddarbelle and Cheesette.” Hazel barks a laugh at the goat’s names.
“Don't make fun of my baby girls,” Onyx snaps, though his voice is playful. I burst into my own fit ofgiggles until we’re both wiping away tears. Jasper smiles indulgently at me, his thumb stroking across my knuckles.
Cedar stands, smothering the flames and tidying up with practiced efficiency.
“You guys have been extra cozy tonight,” Onyx observes lightly, raising an eyebrow at me. I drop Jasper’s hand instantly.
What’s his problem? We always sit together. And I’d share a blanket with Onyx if he offered.
A blush creeps up my neck. “It’s cold, do you want me to freeze? I didn’t exactly see you offering to sit with me.”
“Don’t be mad, I’m just saying,” Onyx responds, lifting his hands in an offer of peace.
Hazel levels her gaze on me, her lips pursing. “Maybe you guys have been a little extra touchy tonight,” she says hesitantly.
Jasper is silent beside me, and I can feel how uncomfortable he is as he wipes his palms along his sweatpants.
“So what?” I say, “he’sbasicallymy brother.”
“He’s not your brother,” Cedar points out, straightening.
A growl escapes me. “I said basically.” Swallowing, I plaster on my kindest smile. “Jasper is Slate’s brother, and we grew up together. So he’s like family, and if we were anything more, it would be kinda ick.”
Jasper finally reacts, shrugging the blanket from his shoulders and letting it pool beside me. “You don’t have to say it like I’m a toad,” he mutters.
