Edgar, apparently finished securing the assailant, hurries over. Evelyn startles at first – not knowing who approaches, but seeing who it is reaches out a hand. “Edgar – I – I’m so sorry,” “No, Evelyn,” he says, holding her face between his hands – an intimate gesture that Victor suddenly feels aw
Victor passively gestures to some bags sitting on the kitchen table. “I ordered you Chinese. Please, eat whatever you like.” Making a small noise of appreciation, Evelyn moves to the package and starts to unwarp it, investigating the containers. A few minutes later, she calls goodbye to him and Vic
The morning dawns bright and sunny. I turn over in my makeshift bed on the twins’ floor, seeking to escape the rays that pry into my eyes, disrupting my sleep. I give a little grunt of discontent, taking my blankets with me as I turn over. Unfortunately, I also roll over onto one of Archie’s squeaky
Two hours later, we’re all packed into a van. Luckily, it’s a fancy van – one with benches that face each other, neon lights, and a sound system, the kind of van which I think are usually used for bachelorettes and other drunken parties. Not that I’d know, unfortunately. Unluckily, I’m seated facing
Alvin and Ian are thrilled with the spot, running around and checking out every detail. I smile, watching them, taking joy in their joy. As I watch them, a friendly Beta comes over and presses a cup of warm cider into my hand, giving me a small smile as he does so. “Thank you,” I say, pressing a ha
Suddenly, Victor is by my side, frowning up at them. I raise my eyebrow at him, surprised. Is he…jealous? “Come down now,” Victor says, and both Edgar and Ian swing down from the branches. Victor moves beneath Ian just as he hangs from the lowest branch, tickling him under the armpit so that Ian fa
I watch Victor and the boys disappear into the forest, wringing my hands. Of course, I always knew the day would come when they went out into the darkness and explored their identities as wolves but…well, they’re very young. I thought I had years left. “They’ll be fine,” Edgar says, putting a hand
I laugh at that, truly laugh, and blush a little. “With Edgar? Oh geeze, I don’t know…” “Come on, Evelyn,” Amelia leans forward, giving me a real smile and laughing with me. “We’re girlfriends now, after all.” I laugh with her and shrug, bashful. “It’s going…I mean, great, I suppose. It’s really n
“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