"No, I'll get up and go down with you. As they were leaving the room, Jackson stopped at his dresser and retrieved the ring from the top drawer. He held her hand and returned it to its proper place. Elisabeth hugged his waist. "Thank you."
When they entered the kitchen, Sarah ran to Elisabeth and drew her into a bear hug. "You are the most beautiful wolf! What a night we had. Are you okay?"
"Yes, thank you. I'm fine. I guess everybody knows what happened last night, but me."
"Not for long." The video camera sat on the counter, and as Sarah made up a plate for Elisabeth, Jackson grabbed it. "Skippy recorded you."
She stood up in shock. "Oh my God!"
Jackson turned the camera on and stood beside her. She put her shaking hand over it. "I don't think I'm ready for this. Can we wait a bit?"
"Sure, whenever you're ready."
Connor led Sarah out of the kitchen. "Let's give them a minute."
Elisabeth focused on her plate as she ate. Jackson touched her shoulder. "Are you all right?"
"I'm really afraid to see that."
"Why?"
"Because then it will all be real."
He held her face in his hands, searching her eyes. "Maybe the reality is a lot better than what you imagine."
"What if it's worse?"
"You are free to do whatever you want with that video, but I swear to you, there is nothing on it you should be afraid of."
After a prolonged moment, she inhaled deeply. "Let's do it then."
Jackson turned the camera on, placed it in front of her and stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders, feeling tension in them. They watched in silence, and when it was over, she turned to him whispering, "I'm not a monster."
He wiped her tears with his thumbs and kissed her forehead. "Not in the least."
"All these years I thought I was a vicious killer."
Jackson couldn't help but bring his lips to her ear. "I told you so." She slapped his chest and laughed through her tears.
They joined Sarah and Connor in the drawing room and related how far Elisabeth had run. Sarah gasped, "Wow, I guess that will be the last time you try to stay away, huh?"
Jackson wore a wide grin as Elisabeth said, "I don't know what I will do about the Wolf Moon Festival. I need to be there."
"Maybe you should take me with you?"
She glared at him. "You are insane!"
"I'm not saying right into the Festival. What if I was close by, so you could get to me easily?"