“Mama!” shouts Alvin, turning the corner and seeing Evelyn collapse on the floor. Her face is pale, her brown hair spread around her. Ian lets out a shriek and runs past his brother, throwing himself across the room towards Evelyn. Victor intercepts him halfway, catching Ian by the waist on instinc
“What kind of shock?” Ian asks, eyes probing. “Did you ask her to marry you?” “What!?” Victor loses his composure in his surprise, his mouth falling open. “Well, she’s our mother, and you’re our father,” Ian explains slowly, speaking to Victor as if he were the child. “Parents are married, right?”
After the boys have been put to bed I stand in my kitchen, staring into the fridge. Milk, cheese…I’m not hungry, or thirsty. I just…have no idea what to do. I sigh and shut the door slowly, careful not to make a sound. Shaking my head, I pull out my phone and do the one thing I can think of that wi
I look up at her, confused. “Huh? Why?” She shrugs. “Was he nice to them? Did he act like they were…bastards?” She whispers the last word, treading carefully on the subject. “No,” I say. “He was…well, I guess he was good with them. He was shitty to me” I emphasize, thanking Cliff for my refill wit
Victor’s entourage rolls up precisely at 3:00, as requested. Three cars, one black Rolls-Royce and two hummers, presumably filled with whatever Betas and lackeys Victor has brought with him. The boys and I are standing outside waiting for him, me in my favorite dress, the boys bright and tidy in the
Victor growls low in his throat, realizing that he’s going to have to rework his entire weekend. “Of course,” he says, “I’ll take care of them myself.” Perfect, I think. Right into my trap. “And…Amelia?” I ask pointedly. Victor grinds his teeth as he figures out this part of my plan. I smirk, know
I sigh, arms crossed, as I watch the cars pull away with my boys, saying a silent prayer. In my heart, I know Victor will keep them safe, but still – a mother’s fears run deep. After the car moves out of my sight I turn and head back into my house, shifting into counselor mode. I wasn’t kidding whe
“That’s normal,” I say, peering at it. “Wolf wounds work faster, it’s in the saliva.” She nods and turns again to me, a tremor of fear in her voice. “Am I…am I going to turn into a wolf now?” she asks, slowly. “Like…like a werewolf?” “No, Susan,” I say, laughing kindly. “You’ve watched too many m
“Me me me,” he says, hardly able to contain his excitement. “My turn, mama. Please.” And he looks down, again, at his little girl. “Well,” I say, shifting her in my arms and leaning forward so Ian can better see her face. She frowns in her sleep, squirming a little and making me smile. “I was think
Several hours later, I’m changed and curled up more comfortably in my bed with Victor by my side, a baby in each of our arms, and our boys curled up like puppies at the end of the bed. Archie is on the bed too, cuddled between them. We sit quietly together, all still focused on the two little babie
“It’s all right, doctor,” I say, giving her a little smile and nodding towards the boys. “We found them.” “Oh my god,” she says, shaking her head and placing a hand over her heart. Then she frowns at them. “How did they…” “Window,” Victor says, gesturing towards it and sighing. “It’s all right. Th
“Come on, Evelyn,” the doctor says confidently as Victor squeezes my hand, his eyes darting between my face and the first baby, which the doula is now wrapping in her first swaddle. “One more push, and then you’ll be done, and you can hold your little girls.” “Okay,” I huff, sitting up and shifting
Slumped on the couch, Ian heaves a gigantic sigh. “What is taking so long,” he mutters, glaring angrily at the steps as if they’ve personally offended him. “You knew it would take a while,” Bridgette murmurs, running a hand over Ian’s soft brown hair and smiling fondly at her nephew. She sighs and
“Oh my god,” Victor gasps, instantly wide awake. “Oh my god,” he says again, grabbing my face and searching it like it has answers. “Are you – are you okay?” “Yes,” I say, nodding but then belying my answer with an immediate moan. I grit my teeth, my hand going to my stomach as I weather the contra
And between them, my three Alphas have kept me sane. Even though every other part of the end of this pregnancy has worked hard against that sanity. Very, very hard. Even though the TV is on, capturing both of our attention, Ian very suddenly turns his head towards my stomach, like a dog hearing a w
As it turns out…I cannot. I cannot spend 3 months in bed, waiting for my babies to be born. Two and a half months later, I’m basically climbing the walls, I’m going so crazy sitting here in this bedroom, waiting for my little girls to be born. I’ve done it this long, though. I’ve stayed in my bedr
“Why?” Victor asks, suddenly serious in the sea of merriment. “Evelyn, why aren’t you here? What’s wrong?” “Um…” she says, her eyes glancing away awkwardly. “Because…I went into early labor…and I’ve been put on bedrest…” The tablet cracks as it falls to the floor. Rafe gasps, reaching down for it