Jackson stood speechless. He had prepared for many scenarios, but this was beyond anything imagined. "What? How long have you known?"
"Since we met." Her eyes filled with tears.
"Since we met? Jesus, Elisabeth, I don't understand. This makes no sense." She was crying openly now.
Jackson's instinct encouraged him to hold her and calm himself enough to calm her. "All right, please don't cry." They stood quietly for a moment. Elisabeth was falling apart, and he tried desperately to wrap his head around what had happened. She knew! How could that be, and why did she stay? Wasn't she scared to be with me? Why is she so upset now, after spending all this time together while knowing? He finally pulled away slightly to see her. She looked devastated. "Why didn't you tell me you knew?"
"I couldn't."
"Why not?"
"Because then I would have had to tell you I am a werewolf."
He pulled away further. "That's impossible! Why did you say that?"
She sobbed, "Because it's true."
"No, it can't be! I would have smelled it! You smell nothing like a werewolf!"
"I'm a member of the ruling pack. We don't smell like others."
Jackson held her at arm's length. "Are you telling me you turn into a wolf at the full moon, and you can kill vampires? A real werewolf?"
"Yes"
He dragged both hands through his hair. "This can't be happening." He turned away, wide eyed, his head reeling.
"Please, can we try to talk about this?"
Whirling around to face her, he bellowed, "Talk about this! Are you out of your mind? How could you do this?"
"I am so sorry; I just couldn't bring myself to tell you."
Jackson picked her up by the throat and slammed her against a tree, "I should kill you where you stand, you filthy dog!"
"Then do it! Do it now!" She cried. Jackson glared at her for a moment, then dropped her and ran.
***
Sarah and Connor were in her room when they heard Jackson burst through the door. "He must have told her." They then heard things breaking, being thrown. Sarah wondered why. Jackson would have no difficulty restraining Elisabeth. Was he allowing her to have a fit and throw things at him? She worried that Elisabeth might get hurt. Then Jackson screamed. That wasn't right. What was going on down there? "Connor, I'm going down, please stay here. I don't want you hurt in the crossfire. Promise me you'll stay."
"All right."
When she reached the top of the stairs, Sarah panicked, seeing Jackson alone and in a fit of rage. My God, did he kill her? She ran downstairs screaming, "Jackson, stop it! What have you done? Where is Elisabeth?" He had picked up a Tantalus and was about to smash it on the floor. She grabbed it from him and yelled, "Stop this right now!" He froze, his face twisted with pain. "What happened? Where is Elisabeth?"