Victor and Alvin sit quietly in the hummer, their eyes focused on the foliage in front of them. Just through it, they can begin to see the start of a field, the place where Victor intends to hold the battle. Alvin sits next to his father, quietly chewing on a granola bar, patiently waiting for the
“Yes, Betty,” Walsh says, walking over to his wife, Willard at his heels. “We are at war. That upstart, Kensington – he’s surrounded our lands.”Mrs. Walsh gasps, pressing a hand to her heart.Walsh’s eyes move to Emma, then, sweeping over her. “You’re back,” I see, he says, a bit of a sneer in his
When all of the hummers and war machines have made themselves present on the fields surrounding Walsh’s property, Victor steps out of the car, Alvin climbing out of the driver’s side with him. They’re nowhere near the house, not really. Instead, they’ve positioned the majority of their forces aroun
Stephen grimaces, looking down at the tablet in his hands. Then he looks up at Victor, his mouth a straight line. He doesn’t say a word, but Victor understands his meaning.If they’re going to win this battle, they’re not going to do it by sheer force. Instead, he’s going to have to use superior tac
Victor leads his forces on foot, but overhead, his aerial forces begin their attack. They swoop low overhead, the chopping of helicopter blades and the hum of small-aircraft engines covering the pounding of feet as Victor’s ground forces plunge ahead.He watches the skies carefully as his troops pic
It’s two free minutes, really, to let Walsh and Willard do whatever they want.Anything could happen in this time. A bullet could come, strike him between his shoulders – Anything could be happening outside, too – Victor could open his eyes to see that his own army had been wiped out – Or he coul
Inside the house, Ian, Emma, and Delia jump when they hear the sound of the bombs. Mrs. Walsh just sits still. It’s a sound she’s heard before, one she was expecting.“Wha-” Ian says, his mouth open and his head turned towards the windows, wishing, desperately, that he could see out. “What was that
Quickly, Victor surveys his own Betas, who have likewise turned back towards their foe. A few have fallen, writhing in agony themselves – likely those who hadn’t turned before the wind had carried the wolfsbane amongst them – but the vast majority of them stand strong. The tide of the battle has
“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