Page 141 of Puck & Her Blades

Cygnus jumps.

My heart pounds, and I huddle closer onto Asher’s chest.

Asher winds his arms around me, stroking my hair.

“Love,” Zev glances up at Jackson, concerned, “she doesn’t know…”

“But she should.” Jackson is studying me with a look that I don’t understand. “I’ve been trying to protect you but I see now that I was wrong. You’re as fiery and full of spirit off the rink as on it. I’ve always known it but I should have respected that and told you everything. With your position being so precarious, however, I wanted to keep you safe.” His gaze slides to Cygnus. “I’ve been doing the same for Cyg and that was a mistake too. I’ve spent so many years worried that I was going to lose him…”

Cygnus’ eyes are wide, as he pushes himself to sit up, staring at Jackson. “What do you mean?”

“Every time that you collapse, or I come home from practice to hear that the doctor’s needed to be called in for you again, I’m terrified. I’d burn the world down for you but I can’t even stop your pain. And that kills me. Because of my own stupid fear, I’ve fallen into the same trap as Father and seen you as my sweet, good Omega who needs to be shielded above all else. Puck coming here has opened my eyes. She’s opened them. I’m fucking sorry.”

Cygnus wraps his arms around his middle; his scent becomes like burned sugar in his distress. “Tell me what you mean. Now.”

Jackson’s trembling but he tries to hide it, holding his hands smartly behind his back.

He looks like he’s about to shake apart.

What the hell is he going to say?

My heart speeds up, and a cold ball forms in my stomach.

“Fuck this.” Zev stands up, throwing his arms around Jackson.

His sudden affection startles me, but at the same time, it’s beautiful to see the way that he’s supporting his fellow Alpha.

Jackson’s anguish is like a scream through the bond.

Jackson returns Zev’s embrace for a long moment, soaking in his support. Then he pushes away from him, although Zev stands stubbornly by his side.

Asher is staring up at them with shocked eyes.

“I know how bad things can be for all dynamics,” Jackson says quietly, “because before I was adopted by the Blade pack, I saw some of the worst of it.”

I swallow.

I spent hours trying to find out the truth behind this star player, when I first arrived here. But there’s pretty much nothing in the press about Jackson, apart from the fact that he was in system, until he was adopted at seventeen by the Blade pack.

Zev rests his hand on Jackson’s arm. “You don’t have to share this.”

Distressed, Cygnus ducks his head. “Alpha, you don’t owe any one your past. You know that I’ve never forced you to tell me about it. I never would. I’m here if you need to talk; you’ve always known that. I meant, tell me what you mean about shielding me. I’d never—"

“I know, sweetheart.” Jackson gives him a soft look. “It’s because I know that neither of my good Omegas would try to force me to share more than I’m willing to that I can finally talk about this. Yet this is why I’ve been shielding you both so fiercely. So, I owe you the truth.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” I tell him.

Jackson’s cool gaze settles on me. “I love you. I’d say that I owe you fucking everything.”

My heart leaps in my chest, and my cheeks flush.

He takes a moment to gather himself, before he continues, “I was adopted by a family who only had older Beta sons. I’m sure you can imagine how much they and the Beta dad resented me, the Alpha adopted son. The bullying was toxic but bearable, however, because I still had a family. But then, I came back one day to find my bags packed up, and someone from the agency waiting to take me back to the orphanage. They didn’t even let me say goodbye. The oldest son, who resented me the most, had lied that I’d become feral, attacking him.”

“Asshole,” I growl.

Jackson’s expression is grim. “I never lost the label of bad Alpha, after it was stamped on my file, which meant that I was only fostered by the worst families. I saw everything in those. Omegas were mistreated, and Betas were treated as no more than servants. I had the status of a dog, rather than a wolf. Roarke saved me. Yet he only put a collar on me, turning me into his new pet. At first, I thought that this new kennel, kinder collar, and longer leash was worth it. But then, I met Cygnus, Zev, Ash…and you, Puck, and was taught through your bravery that no leash is ever worth it.”

My throat is tight with tears. “You’re not a dog. I’ll tear out anyone’s throat, before I let them continue to control you.”

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