All Chapters of The Luna He Can’t Have: Chapter 171 - Chapter 180

I’m guessing Lara told him about me tossing her off the porch, and maybe even about me telling her other things that I’m not sure I’m ready for Jackson to know. At least, I don’t think I am.“Uh, you didn’t speak to Lara before she left, did you?”For a beat, his fingers still in my hair.“Is there a reason you’re asking?”“No!” I blurt out, sounding guilty as hell. “Um, I mean, no. Just wondered. That’s all.”And then I shut up because I feel like I’ve said far too much today.I stay silent as Jackson washes the conditioner from my hair and efficiently cleans my body.Other than his erection nudging my back, there’s not a hint he’s interested in turning our shower into anything more. Which is another sign I know I’m in trouble, because what guy wouldn’t be interested in a little sex in the shower?In minutes, I’m clean. He leads me out of the shower where, with the same distant touch, Jackson towel-dries my hair and body before handing me a t-shirt.Once I’ve slipped it on, Jackson q

It’s a couple of hours later, and Jackson has shifted us so I’m lying on his chest while he strokes a hand up and down my back.A thought occurs to me. I jerk up so I can stare down into his face.“Jackson, we can never tell anyone—especially Talis—about this.”Slowly he opens his eyes and blinks up at me.“That we mated?”I glare down at him.“That we humped on the forest floor.”Although his lips curve in a smile, he doesn’t comment on my observation. Instead he slides his hand into my hair and tugs me down again.“We won’t have to. I’m sure they’ll figure it out themselves.”A long moment passes in silence before I break it again.“Jackson?”“Darlin’?” he murmurs, sounding half asleep.“What was it like not having a pack?”When he stops stroking my back, I regret my question. Although I’m not feeling pain from him, just because I’m not doesn’t mean he wants to talk about it.But then he speaks.“Lonely. Even though I was lucky to have Jeremy, it’s still lonely. It’s not the shifter

It doesn’t take me long to work out where Marshall is taking me: the Dawley-Stone pack lands a few miles away.Although he hasn’t spoken a word since he picked me up and stuffed me in his car back at the rental that Regan and her new mate Jackson are calling home, at least for now, he doesn’t have to.I can feel the heat of his anger and frustration building in a space too small to house, and all it’s making me want to do is run or hide.Instead, I do my best to ignore it by blindly staring out at the bright midday sky and the passing trees just outside my window, trying not to think about what’s coming. After demanding permanent sanctuary in the Dawley-Stone pack, it’s a confrontation that has to happen.There are some things I can run or hide from, but not this. Not Marshall. As the most submissive wolf in the pack, it was the first time I’ve ever demanded anything in my life. And to do it in front of the entire pack, to demand to leave the Blackshaws and join the newly formed Dawle

Things can’t continue like this, Jenna.” Dayne’s voice is low, controlled, and even though there’s the hint of disapproval in his tone, there’s also reassurance, too.I stare out into the Dawley National Forest, mere steps away from the back porch that Dayne and I are sitting on. Since I can’t feel his gaze on the side of my face, I guess he’s staring out into the forest just as I am.“I know.”“I don’t know what’s happened between you and Marshall, and ordinarily, I’d stay out of it since it’s not my place to meddle in relationships between my pack. But you’re miserable. He’s miserable and losing control of his emotions. And his wolf.”Dayne doesn’t have to tell me this.It’s been clear to me that since Marshall and I had the disastrous conversation about us mating at his house over a week ago, he’s been losing control of his wolf. For him to stuff me in his car like that, and then lock me in it… neither of those acts are the Marshall I know and love.I lift my legs and wrap my arms

Early the next morning, before we return to Hardin, breakfast is a quieter affair in the formal dining room than the last time we were here. At least, my corner of the table is.I keep my head down and tell myself not to look up even once, to ignore the gaze I can feel on the side of my face. I don’t succeed.Unable to stop myself, I lift my head and catch his eyes.Right away I can tell Marshall hasn’t slept one wink. His eyes are tired and red, and his plate of eggs, bacon, and sausage sits untouched in front of him. Unlike me, he isn’t bothering to pretend he’s interested in eating since his fork is still on the table beside his plate.We probably resemble each other with our red-rimmed eyes and disheveled appearance. As far as I can tell, he’s still wearing the sweats he was in the other day, but they’re looking a little more rumpled, and his hair looks like he's not sleeping. He's been raking his hand through it.I’m luckier since I took off my sweater before crawling into bed, a