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
“Mimi!” Ian shouts, bursting through Victor’s back door. He had seen his grandmother through the window as he ran across the yard, his backpack slung over his shoulder. “Are you coming to our school today!?” She laughs, bending down to look at her grandson. “Your school? What are you talking about?
“Oh, you know,” Bridgette says breathily, closing her eyes and leaning against the island. “Fine I guess, but Rafe kept me up all night doing –“ She opens her eyes and giggles, perhaps remembering who she’s talking to. “Well. You know.” “I don’t know!” Ian says, giving Bridgette a cheerful smile ov
The hall is truly gorgeous, candle-lit chandeliers hoisted high in the ballroom, casting a glowing golden light down on all of the attendees. Victor stands at the entrance to the hall, his mother and father on one side, Rafe and Bridgette on the other. Victor has his hands in his pockets, surveying
Still, even before her, he had found easier ways out of those conversations. Only once, really, had he let himself be pulled into a dark alcove, and then taken someone to bed… He gulps, a little, pushing away thoughts of that night. He’s grateful, a moment later, when Annabeth sidles up to him with
Victor began the work of incorporating Rogue wolves into his Beta forces immediately. The next morning, he received a call from Edgar letting him know that there were dozens of Rogues lined up outside the doors of his training barracks. Word traveled fast, and they were eager for the opportunity to
Slowly he turns to see Amelia standing, arms folded, on his back porch. Two Betas stand anxiously behind her. “She insisted, sir,” one says. “We couldn’t stop her.” “It’s fine,” Victor says, steeling himself and waving a hand to dismiss them. They nod and walk away. “Hello, Amelia.” “I want to tal
“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