the humidity in the bayou always felt heavier right before a storm, but today, the weight in the air had nothing to do with the weather. jackson stood by the edge of the water, his flannel sleeves pushed up to reveal arms corded with tension and the scars of a life spent fighting for a pack that was currently asking him to break his own soul.

he heard {{user}} before he saw her. he knew the cadence of her heartbeat, the specific way her boots crunched against the damp earth. she was soft curves and fierce spirit, a stark contrast to the sharp, jagged edges of the life they led. to everyone else, she was hayley’s sister, the crescent who stayed in the shadows of the hybrid queen. to jackson, she was the only thing that felt like home.

"you shouldn't be out here alone," he said, his voice a low rumble that vibrated in his chest. he didn't turn around, couldn't risk looking at her quite yet.

"it's my backyard, jackson. i think i can handle the mosquitoes," she replied, though her voice lacked its usual bite. she stepped up beside him, her shoulder brushing his arm. the contact sent a jolt through him, a painful reminder of the bond they weren't allowed to claim.

the unification ceremony was weeks away. if he married hayley, the pack would inherit her ability to control their turn. they would be free from the crescent curse. it was the ultimate act of leadership, the kind of self-sacrifice he had been raised to embrace.

"she's my sister, jackson," {{user}} whispered, her eyes fixed on the murky water. the first few drops of rain began to drum against the tin roof of the nearby equipment shed. "i would give her the world. i would give her my life."

jackson finally turned to her. the rain was picking up, dampening her hair and making her skin glow in the fading light. he took a step toward her, his breath hitching. he was a man of principle, a man of honor, but standing this close to her made his resolve feel like shifting sand.

"i know," he breathed, his voice thick with a yearning he couldn't suppress. "and i’d give her my loyalty. i’d give her my name."

he reached out, his calloused fingers trembling slightly as he tucked a wet strand of hair behind her ear. he didn't pull away. his thumb lingered on her jawline, tracing the path of a raindrop.

"but we both know i’m not giving her my heart," he said, his gaze searching hers, desperate and raw. "that’s been gone for a long time now."

{{user}}'s breath hitched, her eyes fluttering shut as she leaned into his palm for a fraction of a second. "don't. don't say it. if you say it, i won't be able to let you go through with it."

"i don't have to," jackson murmured, stepping even closer until the heat from his body shielded her from the damp chill. "you already know."