Footsteps sound behind him, three sets, he’s sure – two sets in boots, and then another set, fumbling, lighter.“God damnit,” she growls and Victor’s whole body feels lighter at the sound of her voice. “Get your god damn hands off of me, or I swear to god, when we take this pack I will cut them off
“Victor,” I say, my hands sliding down the bars of my cell as I sink to the floor. He’s just across the short aisle from me, but with these metal bars between us…He might as well be a world away. I am desperate to go to him, touch him, help him – but I can’t.He doesn’t say a word in response, but
The guilt. I’ll never be able to outlive the guilt.“No, Evelyn,” Victor whispers. “Don’t. Every moment has been worth it. Every single thing that has fallen apart and been rebuilt, no matter how shaky – it is right. You know it too.”I nod to him, crying so hard I can’t shape words. But I do know i
What is our plan, Alvin says, his eyes darting to Ian’s as he speaks directly into his brother’s mind. Now that they’re in the same room again, their powers are back in full force. Alvin had never really gotten the full story about what, in the first place, had interrupted their ability to communica
Ian slaps his hands over his mouth, catching the hint from his brother and working to raise a bit of hysteria on his own face as well. Of course, both boys know that their father is alive – they can feel it, inside of themselves. But they also know how gravely wounded he is.Still, they sense that t
“Nothing’s wrong,” Ian says, shrugging, drawing Alvin’s gaze back to him. “That was just awesome.”Alvin freezes for a moment and then both boys start to laugh. Brent crosses his arms, not joining in, pissed off to be under these kids’ control. “You have to teach me how to do that!” Ian says, jumpi
“We need to get him out of here,” she says, looking to the boys. “What’s the situation upstairs? Specifically – where are Joyce and my father?”“We tied them up,” Ian says, looking up into her eyes. “Them and four Betas, in the command room.”Evelyn just blinks, shocked, at her boys. “Seriously?” sh
Outside of the house, Rafe paces back and forth in front of the line of Hummers. Victor’s Beta army – all of those who are not injured or otherwise incapacitated – are here, anxiously awaiting their orders. A group of them continues to attack the weak entry points to the Walsh home, but they’re con
“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