June 23rd
Ella’s point of view
After lunch, I made the mistake of letting Stefano and Zacharias have jello. Within minutes, they were bouncing off the walls, and I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Shoes on boys. We’re going for a walk to Grandad’s apartment.”
The thudding and crashing from Stefano’s room ceased, and two pairs of footsteps thundered down the stairs.
After strapping Ana into the stroller and taking Madeleine’s hand, we set off through the forest, Stefano and Zacharias running in circles around us, throwing leaves and waving sticks.
“Stef, you nearly took my eye out,” I said, ducking as he swung a branch around, “Careful!”
“Sorry Mama,” he called as he dropped it and ran after Zacharias, who had found a sturdy tree to climb.
An hour later, we neared the base. After trying to take down the entire pack, my fathe
June 23rdElla’s point of viewAn hour later, Stefano was on a stool at the counter kneading the dough. I stood behind him, guiding his hands and guarding the stool from Maddy and Zac running around like maniacs.“That’s it,” I said, “A little harder.”He put his entire body weight into kneading, contorting his little face with the effort.“That’s it, perfect.”The doorbell rang, so I kissed Zac’s cheek and wiped my floury hands on the towel.“Keep doing that, I’ll be back in a moment. Maddy and Zac, keep well away from Stef.”I opened the door to Luca and Amaani. Beside them was an enormous suitcase and in Luca’s arms their baby, Theodore. He was only a year old but had Amaani’s beautiful hair and a smile that could kill.Luca bundled Theodore into my arms.“Um, hello?”“We’re
June 23rdLeo’s point of view“Madeleine and Ana are securely tucked in bed,” I said, wrapping my arms around Ella as she finished drying the last saucepan.“How many stories did Madeleine make you read?” he asked.“Two and then she made me get Cato for another one,” I said, kissing her neck. “If I have to read that damn story about the princess and the prawn one more time, I’ll go insane. Every single fucking night.”Ella laughed, “Who would have kids, huh?”I held her for a few moments before I took a deep breath.“I have something to tell you.”“What?”I took the dried pan from her hands and leaned over to put it in the cabinet.“Let’s talk upstairs.”We settled on the bed, I wrapped my arm around her, letting her rest her head on my chest as I thought over how the
June 25thElla’s point of viewI sat in the passenger’s seat of the car. Leo drove with his fists tight on the steering wheel and a steely expression.“Still sure he’s a good kid?” I asked.Ten minutes ago, we’d had a call from the high school, requesting we both come in to speak with the principal about Cato immediately. They didn’t give us any details, but by the tone of the receptionist’s voice, he was in serious trouble.“Ask me in half an hour when we know what he’s done,” Leo said, “I’m clinging to hope there’s a good explanation.”When we arrived at the school, we headed straight for the principal’s office. Outside in the hallway, Haden sat with his arms folded across his chest. He didn’t bother smiling at us. Not out of character, but he rarely bothered scowling for Leo’s benefit either.“Haden?” L
June 25thLeo's point of viewSoon after Cato’s return, Ella’s eyes drooped closed and her breathing slowed. When my phone vibrated on the nightstand and the screen illuminated our room, she didn’t stir.I took my eyes off her to check the phone.A text from Blair.I ran my hand through my hair and exhaled a heavy breath before getting to my feet and throwing my shirt back on.“Thank you, Alessandro,” I said as I stepped out the front door of the house where one of my soldiers, Alessandro, stood, facing out into the forest, “I shouldn’t be long.”I sprinted through the trees to the Eastern border where Blair awaited me with a weary face.“Eight male rogues,” he said as I marched into the clearing, “We’ve checked their phones. There were texts about attacking Cato but only between the eight of them. We don’t think anyone else is involved.&rd
June 26thElla’s point of viewIt was 4 pm the next evening when the doorbell rang over Theodore’s ear-piercing cries. I’d been trying to settle him for ten minutes, but I couldn’t find his teddy carrying Amaani’s scent, and without it, my attempts were useless. I dug my hand down the back of the sofa, searching for the damn thing as Zac and Stef bounced around me. I’d given up persuading them to do their math homework. With Theodore screaming, I couldn’t expect anyone to focus, let alone two hyper kids.“Zac and Stef,” Mathias said as I finally retrieved the manky teddy, “Sit down, do your damn math homework and give Mom a break or I’ll never let you play on my Xbox again, got it?”They both immediately stopped jumping on the sofa to sit down at the table.“Thank you,” I mouthed to Mathias as I rushed to answer the door.Theodore was still in my a
June 26thLeo’s point of viewI knocked on Cato’s bedroom door, and a groan rumbled from inside.“If you’re here to shout, I’ve already heard it all from Mom,” he said.I opened the door and set the condoms on his dresser.“For you,” I said, sliding them towards him. “And you better pray to the Goddesses no one is already pregnant.”He was sitting on his bed with a book on his lap, which he promptly slammed shut and threw his head back.I stepped forward into his room and sat on the swivel chair by the desk.“Dad-” he groaned.“I’m not angry, Cato,” I said. “I was the same.”He grimaced, “Please. I don’t need to know about your sex life.”“And I didn’t really want to know about yours either,” I said. “But you were stupid enough to get caught fucking a gir
June 26thCato’s point of viewAs I walked through the forest toward Jessica’s house, I internally screamed. The last thing I wanted to do was face her parents to apologise, but my Dad had ordered me to do so and my Mom wouldn’t speak to me if I didn’t.But I was having to apologise for something I wasn’t sorry for. I don’t regret doing it, and I’d do it again. Jessica had no intention of saving herself for her mate. If it wasn’t me, it would have been some other guy to take her virginity. Besides, she’s a great girl and I’m into her.Praying no one would answer, I knocked on the door and cleared my throat. But of course, ten seconds later, I faced her Dad.“Good evening, Cato. I didn’t think you’d show your face here again.”His tone was surprisingly sharp considering I would be his Alpha in less than six months.But I admired that.
June 26thJess’s point of viewMy father silently placed my bowl in front of me before striding to the other end of the table. His chair scraped back, and he took his seat at the head, directly facing me. My Mom sat beside him, her fork clutched in her hand.“You’re both overreacting,” I said.“Eat your food, Jessica,” Dad said, refusing to look at me.I picked up my fork and twirled the spaghetti, glancing up at my parents occasionally. None of us were eating, and I couldn’t take the silence.“Why are you acting like I’ve murdered someone?”Dad scoffed.“You’ve thrown away something as precious as life.”“Not in my opinion.”“Your opinion doesn’t matter. It’s what your mate will think when he learns Cato Loren defiled you.”I clenched my jaw, “I don’t exist for my mate.&r