“Excellent!” Willard says, pleased with the deal and sounding a little bit surprised at the ease with which it was completed. “I’ll do just that. You stay in touch now, my boy,” he says kindly, and then hangs up the phone. Victor sits back in his seat, wondering how he got so played. Usually, this
Victor’s car pulls along the gravel drive of the Walsh family home, a palatial estate in the British Georgian theme. The wheels of the car crunch to a stop and Victor’s Beta steps out first, surveying the scene and checking for threats. Seeing none, he signals Victor to come forward. Victor steps o
Walsh laughs at Victor, low and mocking. “You fool,” he says, shaking his head. “If you had any wits about you at all, you’d take the boys and get rid of her, send her away, anywhere but in your home. She’ll ruin your life.” Victor frowns at this, feeling anger rise within him. “Evelyn is an excell
“Vic-“ Amelia sputters out half of his name as Victor strides into the bedroom, grabs her by the arm, and slams her against the wall. “What did you do, Amelia,” he yells, his voice thick with wrath. “Victor – I – “ Amelias eyes scan frantically over Victor’s face, his body, sensing – correctly – t
“And,” she continues. “That would leave my sons free to inherit your pack. Like you promised.” Her last words are a whisper. For a moment, Victor looks down at his mate, taking in the sadness on her face, her long lashes, her beautiful, plump lips… With a snarl, Victor rips his arm from her hand a
As I tuck the boys into their beds, the television in their room set to stream a Disney Channel show for the next couple of hours, I hear the phone in my closet ring. “Do you have another secret call, Mama?” Ian asks, his eyes fastened to the screen as he asks. “What?” “Your secret phone,” Alvin
Victor clears his throat and I remember, of course, that I’m a therapist in this situation. I change tactics. “That is a very significant betrayal,” I say more evenly. “How did you react?” “Poorly, unfortunately. I lost my temper. It was…more physical, than I would have liked it to be. But she main
I practically tumble out of my closet, feeling nauseous and gasping for air all at once. Part of my mind knows that this is an over-reacting, but my body is in panic, totally not knowing how to respond to this news. I make my way into the bathroom and splash water on my face, seeking to calm my bod
“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