“What do we play next, mama,” Alvin says, crawling onto the couch where Evelyn’s shoulder just barely touches Victor’s, though both pretend not to notice. Alvin’s eyes are bright, but, like his twin, he is sleepy.“Nothing, baby, no more games tonight,” Evelyn says, putting out a hand to brush his c
I feel a growl rumble in Victor’s chest in response to my plea. I smile as I kiss him, pulling him down on top of me as he fumbles at his belt. I know he likes it when I beg. “Please, Victor,” I murmur, my eyes closed as I cup his cheek in my hand, feeling him kick himself free of his pants. Then,
That perhaps this new thing I’ve started with Victor kind of depended on me being pregnant. Did I just want to be with him because I wanted a father for my child?Were things different now. Was this all a mistake, now that there is no child?Tears spring to my eyes in my confusion. I drop the paper
Victor can’t keep the smile off his face as, a little bit later, he trudges through the snow back to his house. It was just so unbelievably good, these past few hours, to spend time as a family, to sleep with Evelyn where she belonged, wrapped in his arms. Even the stupid mundane things, like doing
“Annabeth, please –““Mrs. Prath, if you please.”Victor pauses, taking a deep breath. “Mrs. Prath, please, I mean no disrespect, but I have no idea what could have caused this change. As far as I am aware, you and I are on the same team, dedicated to the same mission to help our community improve e
I sigh a little, my arms crossed, as I watch the Betas load the boys’ little overnight bags onto the now-familiar party bus. The boys, of course, are thrilled at the prospect of the third trial, but I’m a little sick at the idea.It’s not that I don’t think Victor will win – of course, especially in
“These are more efficient,” Victor says, putting his hands in his pockets. “Besides,” he says, giving me a boyish smile. “It’s cool.”I roll my eyes at him but can’t help but laugh. “Alvin, Ian!” I call to them – they’re getting a little too close to the heat. “Over here, stand by me, until the Beta
Just at the last gasp of dusk, Evelyn stands with the entire Kensington family at the edge of the forest. She looks up into the sky, noting that the stars are just starting to peak out into the velvety blanket of navy blue that coats the heavens. There would be no moon tonight.Good, Evelyn thinks.