Chapter 0996

"What do you mean you've never been in a house before!?" I cry, smacking my mate on the arm.

He grins down at me and Marigold does too. "I mean, when would I have been in a house, Ariel? I grew up in a barracks cabin with a bunch of other boys, and then moved to the city where I lived in an apartment building. From there I lived in the candidate barracks and then the castle..." he raises his chin towards the castle on the cliff as I just stare at him, slack-jawed, realizing that he's right.

"That's so weird, Jackson," I whisper, shaking my head at him.

"It's nice having a feral friend," Jesse says, stepping close and clapping a hand on Jackson's shoulder. "Come on, my guy. We'll domesticate you and, in doing so, introduce you to the wonders of the single-family home."

Jackson laughs and takes my hand as we all walk up the short steps to the adorable little porch and then through the front door into our little blue house. Unsurprisingly, my eyes mist immediately at the thought that this is our first little home together as a family. That this is where Marigold will get to know her new sisters, and where we'll have so many new experiences.

"You happy?" Jackson asks, stroking a hand over my hair as I look around at the sweet little living room, still bare of any furnishings or decorations but completely full of possibility.

I press myself to his side, tucking my face against his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist, completely overwhelmed. "Yeah, I'm happy," I squeak, meaning it utterly as my wolf pounces around in my soul, rubbing herself warmly against Jackson's wolf and then darting over to the two new little bonds, just...completely thrilled.

says with a happy sigh, looking around the room with interest as

the room together for a long time, our family happily milling around us. But while they chat and talk about the possibilities and all of the furniture mom

Just...completely happy, totally blessed.

at me and, sensing my mood, gives me a happy smile and

back, knowing that he

on the planet - always supporting our dreams and doing everything

of the day passes in a rushed blur. Dad spends a great deal of time meeting with the Captain and the rest of the staff, going over documents and reconsidering both the rules of the Academy as well as my individual learning plan. And as much as I sigh to see that my

after all, and happily so. There are some things that I'm not going to be able

much, my wolf says, trotting around smugly in my soul, her nose lifted high in

I say, nodding internally.

works, mom supervises the delivery and distribution of four houses' worth of

by Jackson, Rafe, and Jesse (who grumbles about every

directing the boys to carry a particularly plush sofa

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