Chapter 36: Midnight HuntChad pov I awoke when it was dark. It was 12:03 according to the clock. There was silence in the house. Silent. I was unable to fall asleep. Thoughts of Avy consumed my mind. Of her act of deception. Of my unending love for her.I lifted myself up and swung my legs off the bed. My feet felt the coldness of the floor beneath them. I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to remove the haze from a night of tossing and turning.Beside Avy, Logan softly snored on the bed. There was no one on Killian's side. Likely still on the job. The man always stayed awake.I rose from bed. Clothed in darkness. Denim pants. Shirt made of cotton fabric. Footwear designed to cover and protect the foot and ankle. I silently shifted position, careful not to disturb anyone's sleep. Choosing not to provide an explanation for my destination. I was unfamiliar with who I was.The corridor was dimly lit. I heard the ticking of the grandfather clock during the night.I descended the stairs. The
Chapter 37:ThreatsKate pov I got into the seat beside the driver, feeling the soft, cool leather against my skin. The car had a scent of luxurious perfume and another unknown, more mysterious smell. It seemed as though I was stepping into a lion's lair.Alison exited the driveway, the engine humming gently. We drove quietly for some time, feeling the tension increase with each minute that went by. Observing the recognizable roads of our city, I pondered how the usual could seem so unfamiliar.At last, she uttered words. She spoke in a laid-back manner. Too informal. How was the party you attended last night? Did anything interesting happen?I gazed at her, scanning her expression for any indication of real curiosity. Discovered zero. She kept her eyes on the road, holding onto the steering wheel tightly."I don't think so," I replied, attempting to maintain a steady tone in my voice. "Nothing out of the ordinary."She gave a small smile while nodding. I was told that there was some
Chapter 38: Opening up Avyaane pov Sunday morning. Killian's day. For the first time, I didn't dread it. The thought surprised me, like finding a flower blooming in concrete.I woke alone, the bed vast and empty. Last night's warmth lingered only in memory. The brothers' scents clung to the sheets, a reminder of their presence. Of safety.The clock read 7:30. I lay there, listening to the house. Silence. No footsteps, no voices. Just the tick of the clock and my own breathing.At 8, hunger drove me from the bed. I pulled on a robe, soft against my skin. The hallway stretched before me, dim and quiet. I padded down the stairs, each step careful and measured.The kitchen stood empty. No Logan at the stove, no Chad reading the paper. No Killian hunched over his laptop. Just me and the morning light streaming through the windows.Sunday. Of course. They were probably still asleep. The realization brought a mix of relief and disappointment.I heard my stomach rumble. I looked inside the
Chapter 39: Check upThirdThe fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting a harsh glow on the sterile examination room. Avy sat perched on the edge of the table, the paper crinkling beneath her with every small movement. Her hands were clasped tightly in her lap, knuckles white with tension. The air smelled of antiseptic and rubber gloves, a scent that always made her stomach churn with anxiety.Mrs. Henderson's hands were cool as she pressed the stethoscope to Avy's chest. The metal felt like ice against her skin, and Avy had to resist the urge to flinch away."Deep breath," Mrs. Henderson instructed, her voice calm and professional.Avy inhaled slowly, feeling her chest expand. The cold metal moved across her skin, following the path of her lungs."And out."She exhaled, the breath leaving her in a rush. Mrs. Henderson nodded, a small smile of satisfaction on her face."Your heart sounds strong," she said, hanging the stethoscope around her neck. She wheeled her stool closer, her e
Chapter 40: PlanAuthor Pov Alison reclined into the seat, her wild and unfocused eyes. Mrs. Henderson could nearly visualize the wheels spinning in her mind, attempting to comprehend this fresh knowledge."I will attempt to control her wolf," Mrs. Henderson remarked, speaking cautiously. However, it is not permanent. Find a solution to handle Kate and reconcile with Chad before it becomes too late. Less than two months until his birthday and coronation.Alison nodded, her thoughts clearly running wild. Understood. Sure, I am capable of doing that. "But Kate-""I'll take care of Kate," Mrs. Henderson said confidently. "Concentrate on Chad." Please, be discreet for the love of God. We cannot make any more errors.Alison stood, nervously smoothing her clothes. She inhaled deeply, clearly collecting herself. "Thanks, Mom." I will need to automatically generate a paraphrase for you if you provide the text that needs to be rephrased. "I am grateful for your assistance."Mrs. Henderson's e
Chapter 41: A Day Filled with DiversionsKate pov The sun's rays blazed on my face while Jake supported me. His arms were robust and unwavering, resembling tree limbs that had endured numerous storms. I avoided eye contact with him. I was unable to. The experiences involving Alison had left me feeling vulnerable and unsettled, similar to a young tree without its outer layer."Where are we headed to?" Jake's voice was gentle, like a soft breeze in the silence. He didn't meddle. Didn't inquire about what occurred. I was thankful for that. Some wounds were too new to investigate."I said, 'Anywhere'." The sound of my own voice seemed strange, hollow, and far away to me. "I require something to take my mind off things."Jake gave a nod. He had a determined expression, his jaw firmly set. At that instant, he evoked memories of a knight from a ancient tale, prepared to fight dragons. "I have the perfect location in mind," he stated.We rode quietly. The radio softly played a pop song that
Chapter 42: The Walls Close InKate pov I entered the house. The silence struck me as a strong physical weight, heavy and suffocating. Jake's warmth dissipated, replaced by a bone-chilling cold. In the living room, my mother stood with her arms tightly crossed over her chest. She had a stern expression, with eyes that were rigid and unwavering."Where did you go?" She had a menacingly quiet voice. Every word oozed with anger that was barely contained.I took a big gulp, feeling my throat become parched all of a sudden. "Alison is out."That was not false. No, not really. Alison had brought me out. It didn't matter what happened after. I held onto this detail, praying it would suffice.Skepticism was evident in every line of my mother's face as her eyes narrowed. She raised her phone, its screen brightly illuminated in the dark room, pointing the blame. Humorous. Hours ago, Alison sent me a text inquiring about your well-being. She mentioned that she had departed from you.My face tur
Chapter 43: The SetupAuthor POV Kate was in the chilly, sanitized interrogation room. The coldness of the metal chair penetrated her clothing, causing discomfort to her skin. Overhead, fluorescent lights buzzed, creating harsh shadows that appeared to mockingly dance on the stark white walls. Two officers stood above her, their expressions stern and fierce, with unrelenting eyes."Please reiterate your whereabouts from last night," the taller individual stated, with a monotone voice devoid of any emotion.Kate had a scratchy voice after repeating herself, and her throat was sore from hours of talking. Jake and I were together. We visited the fair, then indulged in some ice cream. We went on the Ferris wheel and participated in some games. We haven't done anything incorrect.The smaller officer forcefully hit his hand on the table. Kate flinched as the sound reverberated in the compact room. Her heart raced, beating against her chest like a trapped creature longing to break free."Qu
Chapter 111: Eternal LoveAvyaane pov As I stood on the balcony, looking out over the vast expanse of the pack lands, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of thankfulness and astonishment. The sun was just starting to set, painting the sky in a stunning array of reds and golds, and the gentle breeze carried the familiar scents of home - the earthy richness of the forest, the sweet fragrance of the blooming wildflowers, the faint hint of pine that had always been a comforting presence in my life. I felt completely at peace in moments like these, when the world appeared to slow down and all of the noise and commotion of daily life faded away. This area, this pack, and this family. It was where I belonged, where I had discovered the unconditional love and acceptance I had sought for so long. A gentle giggle from behind me grabbed my attention, and I turned to see Chad stroll out onto the balcony, a playful grin on his lovely face. "Penny for your thoughts, my love?" He muttered, throwi
Chapter 110: Family Avyaane povAnd we were. In the weeks and months that followed, the darkness of Allison's breakdown vanished, giving way to the dazzling, unshakeable joy that filled our lives. The triplets thrived, becoming more beautiful and lively with each passing day, and Chad's commitment to them - and to me - appeared to grow stronger every time. The rest of our family took note of the transformation as well. Logan, Killian, and Blair, who had previously viewed Allison's presence in Chad's life with a mixture of wariness and hatred, Now she welcomed our growing family with open arms, adoring the babies with a zeal that touched my heart. "Look at you, all grown up and starting a family of your own," Killian had taunted one day as he cradled our daughter. "I never thought I'd see the day." Chad had chuckled, his arm wrapped securely around my waist. "Yeah, well, don't get too comfortable," he had said. "You three are next in line, you know." The accompanying laughing and frie
Chapter 109: Closure and New LifeAvyaane pov Finally, the day came. As I held our baby daughter in my arms, the intensity of my love and appreciation threatened to overwhelm me. Her tiny, flawless features—the button nose, the delicate rosebud lips, the thick, dark lashes that fanned across her plump cheeks—filled me with a sensation of astonishment that I had never felt before. When I looked up, Chad's eyes were filled with tears of joy, his gaze riveted on the small infant cradled in my embrace. He reached out and carefully touched the curve of our daughter's cheek, his touch gentle and reverent. "She's... she's perfect, Avy," he said softly, his voice full with emotion. "Absolutely perfect." I felt a flood of pride and love wash over me, so I leaned into his touch, enjoying the warmth and comfort of his presence. After all of our hardships and tribulations to get to this point, finally having our family together and whole was more than I could have asked for. My heart swelled as
Chapter 108 :HomecomingAvyaane pov "I'm glad you're here, Avy," he muttered. "We all are." I nodded and moved my gaze over to where Chad was standing, watching the reunion with a soft, almost reverent face. Our eyes connected, and I knew I'd made the proper decision. This was where I belonged, with him and his family—my family. As time passed, it became evident that this return was not without difficulties. Allison, Chad's on-and-off-again girlfriend, was not pleased with my homecoming and made no secret of it. "I can't believe you're just letting her waltz back in here, after everything she's done," she snapped one evening, her eyes narrowing with anger as she stared at Chad. Chad, to his credit: stayed calm, his voice steady as he responded. "Avyaane is my dear companion, Allison. She and our child belong here, alongside me. I will not turn my back on them again." Allison's lips tightened into an angry line, but she said nothing more and walked away with a huff. I watched her leav
Chapter 107: Second Chance Avyaane pov The subtle click of the church door shutting behind me echoed in my ears, drowning out the quiet murmuring of the guests inside. My heart hammered in my chest as I stood there, grasping the fabric of my dress, torn between the life I had chosen and the one offered to me. Just moments earlier, I had been standing at the altar, ready to devote my life to Ethan, to start a new future with him. A future that was secure, straightforward, and free of the complexities that had plagued my past. A future that, while not what I had hoped for, seemed like it could bring me happiness. And now, in only a few heartbeats, That well planned future had been turned on its head. Because standing in front of me, with desperation and hope engraved into every line of his face, was the man I had loved with every fiber of my being - and still loved, if I was honest with myself. Chad. The sight of him storming through the church doors and yelling to halt the wedding ha
# Chapter 106: Last-Minute RescueChad pov The road stretched out before Chad, a ribbon of tarmac cutting across the thick jungle. His hands held the steering wheel so firmly that his knuckles became white, and his gaze was locked on the horizon, as if he could will his destination into view with sheer willpower. Avyaane was getting married. The words rang in his thoughts like a constant drumbeat, matching the pounding of his heart. Married. To somebody else. To a human who will never completely understand her or offer her the life she deserves. Chad's jaw clinched as he imagined this unknown man - Ethan - holding Avyaane, petting her, and nurturing the child he should have had. Their child. He had no idea the youngster existed until only a few hours before.Guilt and regret rushed over him in waves. How had he let things get this far? How had he allowed Avyaane slip away, making her believe she had to face this alone? "I should have fought for her," Chad mumbled, barely audible abov
Avyaane pov Blair's face was lighted by the gentle glow of the computer screen in his darkened room. His fingers paused over the keyboard, hesitating for a little minute before he began typing: *Hello, Avy. * *How do you feel? Is the small one causing you any problems? Blair pushed send and leaned back in his chair, running his hand through his unkempt hair. It was late (or early, depending on your perspective), but he knew Avyaane would be up. She reported in her last email that the baby had been really active at night. Sure enough, a response came in almost immediately: *Blair! I'm fine, just sleepy. Your niece or nephew appears to believe my ribs is a soccer ball. *How are things doing on your end? Blair's lips curved into a faint smile. Even through the impersonal medium of email, he could hear Avyaane's voice and imagine the sarcastic twist of her lips as she complained about the baby's antics. *Same old, same old," he texted back. *Logan is still on his redemption trip, Killian
Chapter 103: New BeginningsAyvyaane povWillow Creek, a small town, was not at all like the pack areas I had left behind. Nestled in a valley surrounded by rolling hills, it was a community where everyone knew everything about everyone else, and outsiders were received with equal parts curiosity and distrust. It had been three months since I left the quadruplets and my previous life behind. Three months spent creating a new identity and learning to navigate the human world on my own. And after three months of watching my body transform, the small life inside me becomes stronger by the day. I had found work at the neighborhood bookstore, a little business that smelled of old paper and possibilities. The owner, a kind-hearted woman named Margaret, had taken one look at me: alone, pregnant, and plainly out of my element, and gave me not only a job, but also a home in the small apartment above the business. It wasn't a lot, but it was mine. A location where I could start over, where I c
Avyaane povKillian's gaze became gentler. "I am aware that you have," he mentioned. "And perhaps you are correct. However, Avy, at what price? To what extent are you prepared to give up part of yourself in the hope that Logan might transform?"His words had a strong impact on me, leading me to face the questions I had been ignoring. To what extent was I ready to sacrifice? Was it right to make Killian wait while I sorted it out?"I confessed, barely whispering, "I'm not sure." "I simply understand that I must make an attempt."Killian nodded, his face adorned with a melancholic smile. "I comprehend," he responded. "And I'll be here, Avy. No matter what happens, I'll be here."As he pulled me into a hug, I felt a wave of gratitude and love wash over me. Whatever happened with Logan, I knew Killian would always be my rock.The next day, I sought out Chad. Of all the quadruplets, he was the one I knew least. He'd always been on the periphery, quiet and watchful. I found him in the train