Suddenly, two of Victor’s Betas explode from the treeline on either side of the black figures who approach Victor. Victor’s Betas shoot at the black figures, but they dodge, leaping forward and pulling knives from their hips. The men in ski masks tackle Victor’s Betas to the ground, pressing the kni
Marissa goes to stand with him and Bridgette sits up in her chair, suddenly awake, confused as everyone else is about what’s happening. “Sir,” Evelyn says, moving quickly to stand next to the boys, her mind working rapidly to come up with some kind of excuse for them.“None of that,” Henry says, sh
The battle is drawing close, now.Seeing that they had a slight advantage, only two men down as opposed to Rafe’s five, Victor had pressed into the offensive. Even if Rafe had set a trap ahead, his superior numbers should work in his favor.Victor and his Betas had moved swiftly through the forest,
Four, he thinks, four men left, plus me. Against how many? Three? Four of his?Victor looks out from behind the tree to see his Betas locked into battle with Rafe’s troupes. Bullets fly through the air, knives flash. Victor raises his own rifle to his shoulder, stepping out into the open air, pressi
The helicopter arrives faster than Victor thought it could. Victor is grateful, frankly. He needs to get this confrontation over with, whatever it is, before he passes out from blood rushing to his head. He knows he’s at a disadvantage now, that Rafe holds all the cards. But he’s ready to face anyt
Rafe is close now, close enough for Victor to hear him as he whispers. “Face it, Victor. I’ve outsmarted you. Again. You might have the muscle, but I’m the cleverer son. The right choice to take this pack into the future.”With that, he slips a blade from the sheath at his hip. “I could kill you no
“God damnit, fucking Rafe,” Evelyn murmurs, shooting a dirty look at the man whimpering on the ground. She hurries to the tree from which Victor hangs, looking all around it for the base of the snare.As she looks, though, she considers the possibilities – even if she releases him, Victor is just go
Evelyn does the same, suddenly realizing how cold she is. She’s wearing a coat, of course, but she’s still kneeling in the snow next to Victor just in jeans and sneakers. She starts to shiver.Victor feels her start to shake and opens his eyes, looking at her with concern. “Come here,” he murmurs, m
“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