"I'm not sure. It might have something to do with your usual smugness."
"Well, I'm not going this one alone. You two are culpable, too; you're going to be my buffers."
Connor narrowed his brow. "You know, no one says we have to tell her."
Sarah yelled at Jackson, who was obviously contemplating the suggestion. "We are not going to lie to her."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. She'd probably find out eventually, and it would be even worse." They sat drinking, discussing how best to explain the evening to Elisabeth. Jackson said, "I think Sarah should tell her. She won't get mad at her."
"It wasn't my idea. Why should I have to?"
"I just told you why. Take one for the team, won't you? And stop being so whiney, you're hurting my ears."
"Oh, all right, you big fraidy-cat, but if she gets mad at me, I'm telling her you were the instigator."
Jackson led Elisabeth upstairs shortly before dawn. She slept for a while after morphing back to human form. When she woke, Jackson sat on the bed with her. "Good morning."
"Good morning." She looked him up and down. "I see you fared the night."
"Yep."
"And Sarah and Connor?"
"They survived as well." He stood. "Why don't I give you some privacy? I'll wait for you downstairs while you shower and dress."
Before she could sit up to question why he would feel she needed privacy, he hurried out the door. She received no response from calling after him so quickly dressed, fearing the worst.
Connor and Sarah sat on the sofa drinking coffee, and Jackson stood with his hands in his pockets spotting the floor when Elisabeth entered the drawing room.
"Someone care to tell me what happened last night? From the looks of you three, I have a bad feeling." She glared at Jackson who offered a weak smile and rocked back on his heels.
Sarah stood and hugged her. "You are such a beautiful wolf."
"What-happened-last-night?"
"Why don't you sit down and I'll get you some coffee."
"I don't want any coffee, I want to know what happened."
Sarah bit her lip while glancing from Connor to Jackson. "We went outside to see the moon."
Elisabeth's jaw dropped open as Jackson moved further away. She took a moment to compose herself then scowled at Sarah. "I expect this kind of behavior from Jackson, but I thought I could count on you to be the voice of reason. God, Sarah, how could you go along with this?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to stay here alone. And… and, um… you seemed keen on the idea so..."