"Let me talk to your brother," dad growls, each word slow and distinct. "I need... more information about how the rest of the time at the Academy has been. Although, I'm going to put him through a meat grinder the moment I see him, so he's not going to be able to get any words out."

"You can ask Jesse, then," I offer, more cheerful than I have a right to be, because I can see dad's determination starting to crumble.

Dad just glares at me. "Don't think he's not dead too."

"Please," Cora says, her voice dry, "murder your own children. Leave mine to me. I've got special plans for that sneaky little rat - a long, slow death, I think..."

Dad glances towards Cora, opening his mouth to retort, but we all go silent and turn towards the second door in the room the moment it opens and Rafe reappears with a certain tall, freshly-showered Alpha by his side.

Rafe's eyes go wide when he sees the collection of his loved-ones gathered on the poor over-burdened bed and he puts out a hand, smacking Jackson in the chest and stopping him in his tracks.

I can't help it, though - Jackson, in a fresh cadet uniform, his hair all wet and slicked back?

he looks

own relief and joy back to

precisely who is

back of his throat as he recognizes the scent of this cadet as the scent that is all over me. sᴇaʀᴄh

I shoot a glance between him and Jackson, grabbing for his sleeve. But my dad just brushes me off, moving slowly as he

the hell are you?" dad asks, his voice very, very dangerous. "And why is your scent all over my injured

in front of Jackson, his eyes

him. "Step aside, Rafe, let

he steps to the side, letting Jackson handle this himself - some Alpha instinct letting him know that this is between my dad and

this, Jackson stands his ground. He sets his jaw and curls his hands into determined fists. His shoulders slump forward, just a little, in what I think is a sign of non-aggression, letting my dad know that he does not want to fight. But he doesn't give up a single step of

to me, asking silently what I want him to do. Letting everyone in the room

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