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
“One of the Betas,” I say, waving my hand in the air. “The one you’re dating?” “Yes,” I say, nodding, latching on to her suggestion. “He got wind of it from Victor’s side and let me know what was going on. But either way, Victor is making decisions about my life – about my children – without even
I jump as Victor enters my house the next morning. Again, no notice, no knock – just walking straight in. I narrow my eyes at him. “Sure, Victor, of course you can come in! You’re always welcome here.” “I know,” he says, walking over to me. I shake my head at him and he gives me a charming smile. I
“You know if he claims them, if they become the official heirs and property of John Walsh,” I say, twirling my teaspoon between my fingers, “that I’ll never see them again. Never ever.” Victor nods. “I know. I’m not going to let that happen, Evelyn.” And then, he reaches over, placing his hand over
“I won’t,” he says, and his face is so earnest, so honest, that I can’t help but smile. Seeing my reaction, his mouth slowly begins to twist upward. “So,” he says. “Shall we tell the boys?” “Tell us what!?” Ian says, his head appearing suddenly where the ceiling meets the stairs. “Ian,” I say, my
Six days later, Victor’s house is in complete chaos. The boys and I enter the kitchen door to a flurry of action – Betas everywhere, of course – some on guard, some carrying boxes and taking instructions. Then, there are a bevy of hired persons hanging lights in the back yard, decorations in the ho
I turn on my heel and stalk to their dining room. “What are you doing?” Amelia calls after me, a little panic in her voice. I can hear Victor following me behind, his footsteps measured and curious. In the room, I wrap my hands in two fists worth of fine linen-and-lace tablecloth, an heirloom, I kn
The day of the claiming dawns bright and clear. I am almost woozy with lack of sleep, having spent the whole night – as promised – tearing apart Amelia’s table cloth and making it into something new. I caught a few hours of sleep, just before dawn, but now I’m up, showered, and ready to face the da
“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