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
“Is Amelia going to be there?” Alvin asks as Evelyn loads a cooler full of snacks into the back of the hummer. “What?” Evelyn says, confused. “No. Why would Amelia be there?” Ian shrugs. “She said she’s gonna ruin our lives. She didn’t say when. She could be anywhere.” Evelyn shakes her head and
“I love it here,” Ian whispers, truly awed. “It’s good,” Alvin adds with a shrug. Evelyn laughs at them both. “Really? I think it’s kind of…bland. Needs some flowers. Or colorful paint.” She shrugs along with Alvin. Ian shakes his head at her, baffled and a little disgusted. “You just don’t get i
Victor meets with his lieutenants for hours, conversing with them endlessly over the details of camp, the new Rogues that have petitioned to join the pack as Betas, the plans they have for the future. Alvin and I spend those hours wandering around and taking in the sites, watching the Betas run arou
“Yes,” he agrees. “But I’m not used to others being a mystery. Amelia…I always knew what Amelia wanted. Or if she was being sneaky, then when I found out what she was doing, it always made sense. You, Evelyn…a little sphynx, if I ever met one.” I smile, biting my lip, not being able to help feeling
Our car ride home the next day is subdued. Ian stares out the window, a smile stuck on his face, clearly dreaming of Black Hawk helicopters and his future as a Navy SEAL. Alvin just naps. He loved our full tour this morning, of the barracks and the training courses. He didn’t have Ian’s full enthusi
“Oh please,” Victor says, rolling his eyes. “You bought him a spot at UPenn and he loafed around Philadelphia for four years, getting drunk at Phillies games –“ “He majored in history!” Henry snaps, his eyes flaring. “He has studied the great military minds of the last four thousand –“ Victor laug
“Come on,” Victor growls, grabbing my hand. “What?!” I say, surprised and a little unwilling. “Where are we going?” “To your house,” he continues, pulling me along. We leave our small pack of luggage behind, the boys running after us as Victor takes long strides around his house towards mine. “Vi
“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