Evelyn’s blood runs cold in her body. Joyce. She fights the urge to snarl at him. Instead, she keeps her face impassive, saying nothing. “How ironic,” Joyce says, looking slowly around at everyone in the room. “That my ex-wife shows up on the same day that my current wife abandons me.”No one says
Ian nods and lifts his mouth to her ear. “Mama, he said such bad things about you. I wanted to kill him.”Evelyn nods, understanding, her mouth quirking up at her bloodthirsty little boy. “I know, he’s really rotten, isn’t he?”“But Ian,” Evelyn continues, her voice serious again, “you have to reme
“Don’t give Alvin any details, please,” Evelyn says, considering her request that Ian contact his twin. “Just…tell him we’re okay?”Ian nods, closing his eyes and concentrating, a little frown on his face. Evelyn waits patiently, trying to keep even her breathing quiet, working hard not to interrupt
Victor slumps back in his chair, worried and relieved at once. It was good to know that she was safe, happy – but god damnit, where was she? And who had hit her?“Alvin,” he says seriously. “Think closely about the image that he sent you. Do you have any clues that tell you where they were?”Alvin b
The next morning, Delia and Emma sit at the kitchen table, Delia’s phone between them.“Are you ready for this?” Emma asks, hesitating. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready for this,” Delia says, her eyes wide. Emma nods, understanding. She knows what she’s asking of Delia. She’s sending her into a
Joyce sits down on the stool next to her, leaning casually on the bar. He puts a hand up, signaling to the bartender, and then orders a gin martini. Delia avoids grimacing – it’s her least favorite drink. Instead, she sits quietly, waiting for him to take the lead. “So,” Joyce says, accepting his
Delia scrambles, her vision darkening as Joyce squeezes her throat even tighter. She can’t think – can’t breathe – All she can do is look into his cruel face, his teeth elongating before her eyes, his rage overtaking his desire for information –Then, suddenly, there’s a crash and the pressure on h
“Alvin,” Victor says. “We’re going to the camp tonight – the Betas and I. So that we can make a big push in a few days. We’re going to…try to get mommy back. And also move against some of our enemies.”Alvin nods eagerly, understanding.“But,” Victor says, and Alvin’s face drops, knowing what’s comi
“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