Chapter 38: Going Back*Delilah*I picked the kids up from school, Andrew had come home around lunch but he was in a bad mood. He said negotiations got a little heated but didn’t really go into detail and I didn’t push. I didn’t even know how I felt about all of this. And I knew no matter what anyone decided, ultimately it was up to me what happened. This was all assuming I said yes to anything they talked about.As the kids piled in the backseat and buckled their seatbelts I felt my phone buzz. It was a text from Bethany. “We’d like to see you guys tonight for dinner if you’re up to it. No pressure.”I put my phone back into my purse and pulled out of the school parking lot. “So, my friend Zach said there are some people here from another pack. Who are they?”I sighed. I hadn’t told them much because I didn't really know what to say. It was all so dark and I didn’t want to traumatize them any more than this year already had. But they deserved to know too. “
Chapter 39: Ding Dong, The Witch is Back*Delilah*I pulled up to the house and saw a car I didn’t recognize in the driveway. The kids and I got out, making our way inside.“Andrew?” I called out but didn’t hear a response. I shrugged and the kids were already moving at a trot down the hallway to our wing of the house. I followed behind them and shot Andrew a quick text, asking where he was and who was here. “Delilah, so good to see you.”I came to a halt, and the kids did too. My blood ran cold at the voice and I hardened my gaze as I stared at the person I hated the most.“Kendra, what are you doing here in my house?”I said the last part with a bit of a bite and put my hands on the kids’ shoulders protectively.“I came to talk to you, I was hoping we could discuss some things. Hi kids, how are you guys doing?”She smiled at them but I felt Kyle flinch back against me. “Kids, go ahead and go to your rooms or the suite. I’ll be there soon.”They all no
Chapter 40: Out the Window*Delilah*Flying out the door, I raced down the hall. This couldn’t be happening again. And now, this was someone from my grandparents’ pack, it had to be. I seethed with anger as I approached the room. I heard the grunting and the sounds of my children fighting. I slammed the door open, taking in the scene before me. A man, who looked familiar, was holding Cody off the ground as Flora and Kyle launched themselves at his legs over and over. They were standing in front of the window, the man trying to pull himself that way. The kids held onto his pants as Cody kicked, trying to keep him from getting any closer to the exit. “Drop them!” I screamed and heard my children scream with relief.The man didn’t say a word, but pulled Cody closer to him instead, gritting his teeth at me. I knew I couldn’t shift and fight him with his arms around Cody. I had to figure out a way to get him free before I could even try to fight. But I was going to figh
Chapter 41: Family History*Delilah*I stared at Jamie, the man claiming to be an old friend of my father’s with disbelief. “What do you mean you’re a friend of my father’s? He doesn’t have any friends outside this pack.”Jamie chuckled, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. “We were friends before he brought you to this pack.”I stayed silent and looked at him, hoping he would just continue on his own. I didn’t know my dad well as it was, I had no idea who he was friends with honestly. I didn’t even think he had many friends now. “Before you guys went on the run and became rogues, he was friends with me and the other guys you met tonight as well. Back when he was still part of the Gallaway pack.”Jamie looked at me then, clearly hoping he had piqued my interest. And he had. I wanted to know more and I wouldn’t deny it.“Are you guys part of the Gallaway pack then? Is this some poor attempt to bring me back into the fold?” I glared a
Chapter 42: Confronting the Past*Andrew*It had only been a day since Delilah was kidnapped but already I was wondering how she managed to handle everything. The kids didn’t go to school and they were anxious. Unfortunately, I wasn’t what they wanted to comfort them. They’d always run to Delilah for that and realizing they couldn’t do that only made them more upset. We’d just finished breakfast and I was supposed to meet with Logan and Bethany shortly but I didn’t see how I would do that while watching the kids. And I didn’t want to let them out of my sight. I sent a text to Bethany asking her and Logan to come to my house so I could keep an eye on the kids while we discussed what to do next. I was outside watching the kids play together when my dad walked out.“What’s the plan for today? I know we’re supposed to meet with the Gallaway pack council but it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen.” He looked out toward the kids, smiling slightly.When I’d call
Chapter 43: Making PlansAndrew*“Daddy, can you make my hair pretty like Mommy did?”My hand shook as I grabbed the brush from Flora’s outstretched hand. I fought the tears that brimmed in my eyes and gave Flora a shaky laugh. “I’ll do my best, baby. But no promises. I’m not magic like she is.”Delilah was still gone, kidnapped by rogue monsters. After talking to Conrad it was clear what their goal was in taking her from us. The rogues had been searching for a powerful shifter like Delilah to breed with, and they would stop at nothing to get her.The boys were already dressed, though they still didn’t look as put together as they did when their mother was there to take care of them.I’d been caring for them by myself since she was taken and every single day without her I marveled at all she’d been able to do without a fuss. Taking care of three children when they weren’t the same age was challenging enough, but triplets were a whole other matter. And she had done
Chapter 44: Biding My Time*Delilah*I knew I was awake but I didn’t want to open my eyes. I could feel the thin mattress beneath me, the chain around my foot. I tugged on it slightly, it still held me tightly. “Hello, hello,” a familiar voice said. I groaned and cracked my eyes open, looking around the dimly lit room. My make-shift jail cell. Jamie sat on a small stool, smiling like we were a couple waking up together. I sat up and moved to the edge of the mattress, pulling my knees up to my chest and hugging them.“We’re moving today, soon we’ll be out of this territory and we can keep you out in the light more. You know what it’s like to be a rogue, you’ll adapt again.” He walked to the wall my chain was attached to and unhooked me, holding the chain tightly. I didn’t even think about it, I got up and tried to run. He easily yanked the chain around my ankle and I was sent sprawling to the ground. The air whooshed out of my lungs and I cried out as my forea
*Andrew*After I dropped Cody, Kyle, and Flora off at school to give them some semblance of normality, I was finally able to get time alone to think about everything that had been going on. The drive to the packhouse was filled with my wild thoughts. I missed Delilah so much, my heart and soul ached for her. Her absence brought up many emotions. My respect for everything Delilah had done for the children had only grown and I knew when we found her and brought her back to safety, I would make sure she knew how much she was appreciated here. I couldn’t believe Delilah had done this alone for five years, I couldn’t even imagine handling everything the three needed without the help of my whole pack. Since Delilah was taken, Flora and Cody had begun opening up to me but Kyle seemed to have regressed. His bond with his mother was stronger than anything and I knew he felt the pain of her absence but Kyle had yet to speak to me about it. He kept a strong front to protect his siblings and