“A castle, mama?” Alvin asks a few hours later, sitting on the kitchen table and combing through some of the plans I’ve sketched out on scrap paper with crayons I’ve borrowed from my boys. “To live in?” “Well,” I say, leaning back and considering. “Maybe castle isn’t the right word. But palace is t
“Really?” he breathes, his eyes shining as he looks at me. “Beta training? And helicopters?” “Sure,” I say, shrugging, “I guess that’s up to your dad though. But anyway, we need area to do all of that, and then meeting rooms for your dad to do business with all of the other packs and the councils,
Two months fly by then, with all of the work we have to do to get everything in order before Victor can make his bid for Supreme. “Well,” I say under my breath as I survey the incredible work that has been completed on our new home in that time. “It sure is nice to have money.” “Sure is,” Victor s
Grinning, I drop Victor’s arm and wrap my arms around Alvin as he rushes to hug me. Ian, growing a little more contained in his old age (and I roll my eyes to think of it) just takes Victor’s hand. “People are starting to get here,” Alvin says, grinning up at me and looking towards the house. “Rea
Victor gives Bridgette a friendly nod and then takes me warmly in his arms, pressing a kiss to my hair and resting his cheek against the top of my head. “Did you think the other kids wouldn’t like them?” “I don’t know what I thought,” I murmur, still watching my boys, a hand pressed against my stom
“Indeed,” she says, raising her eyebrows at me. “Especially if one is the Supreme Luna.” I blush a little, laughing, still not used to the title. It’s not mine yet – not until the council vote goes through sometime – we hope – at the end of the summer. But still, I’d better get used to it, hadn’t I
“I think I did a good job,” Victor tells us, crossing his arms and looking down at Alvin. “I think you’re going to love it.” “Okay,” Alvin moans, his shoulders slumped. “Let’s see it.” “This is so unfair!” Victor says, laughing and crossing to the desk he’s been using to conduct all of his busines
“Everything ready, Stephen?” I ask, excited myself now. “Yes, ma’am,” he says, looking between all of us. “Evelyn,” Victor says, frowning as he comes to stand next to me, his hands on Alvin’s shoulders in front of me. “What did you do?” “I just got my son a gift,” I say, smiling at him innocently
“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