“You did nothing wrong,” Victor says, kissing each boy on the cheek. “If anything, I should be the one who is sorry. I never should have let it get that far, let Amelia have the opportunity to be so cruel to you –“ “We could have been nicer to her!” Alvin says, his voice guilty. “We tried to make h
The next morning, Victor wakes early, going to his office to begin working through his plans for the future. Everything is different, now, without a Luna by his side to secure his position. He has heirs, yes, but the community values family. Indeed, he has built much of his political stance on famil
“For how long will you be staying?” Victor asks, acquiescing to the situation, but not happy about it. “For as long as it takes,” he hears his father say. “Sir?” Victor looks up when he hears Beta Stephen’s voice. The Beta is standing in the doorway behind his family, overloaded with suitcases. “W
I stare out the window at the back of my kitchen, watching warily as my boys chat with their grandmother by the pool. I can see Victor standing at his back door, likewise surveying the scene. We’re both figuring out our next moves. Sighing, I turn my attention back to the breakfast dishes in the si
“You have no idea,” I say, rolling my eyes and taking his hand. I lead him over to the couch, where we sit. “It was a very stressful couple of days.” “I can imagine,” he responds, eyebrows raised. “Are you guys all okay? You and the boys, I mean?” I shrug, looking down at the floor. Edgar, as one
“It’s good to speak to you again,” Victor says the next evening, his voice metallic and mechanical through the old rotary phone. “Yes,” I reply, twirling my fingers in the chord. “The agency let me know that you tried to contact me over the weekend. I apologize for being unavailable.” “That’s all
He hums a little, considering my words. “It makes me wonder if…these aspects of your life truly mix well together. Or if changes need to be made.” I grimace a little as I say this, wondering if I’m getting too close to suggesting that he needs to break up with his girlfriend, especially as I alread
I walk slowly up to the house, surveying the scene, not wanting to run into members of his family. I meet a few Betas in the woods between houses, but they merely nod and smile as I pass. I return the gesture, glad to know that they’re there. The house itself is quiet, though. Lights are on in vari
“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