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
I purse my lips, studying him as he sits still in the darkness of the porch. The lines of his face are cut as finely as glass, but I can see the sleepless nights, the anxiety, the weight of his increasingly heavy world pressing on him in the darkness of the skin beneath his eyes. It breaks my heart