JaneMy cheek is pressed to the cool wood floor as a pair of large, heavy boots approach from the doorway. They stop a few feet from face, and while I want to cower from Ethan’s anger, I’m also beyond relieved that he’s here. I don’t get sick often, and when I do I usually have to just power through – no matter how terrible I feel. One of the joys of single parenting is that there’s no backup in times like these, no one to step in and take care of your responsibilities when you aren’t up to the task.Linda has been taking care of me of course, and though I love her, she’s simply not the one I want. My wolf has been aching for Ethan, craving her mate in a time of need. My hazy brain reels with the realization that I’ve started thinking of Ethan as my mate again, but in some ways it’s not a surprise. I always yearn for Ethan when I feel poorly, but this is the first time since the divorce I might actually get my wish.I don’t even realize I’ve closed my eyes until I feel Ethan’s soothin
3rd Person“I should,” Ethan grumbled. “I should make you go back.” He stared down at Jane, with her wide eyes and vulnerable expression, then sighed. “But my wolf didn’t want to let you out of our sight in the first place, and now I realize he was right.” Ethan offered Jane a wolfish smirk, “You, my naughty little mate, are much better off where I can keep an eye on you.”Jane’s nose crinkled and a shiver ran down her spine at the sound of his heated tone. “I don’t think I like the sound of that.”Ethan chuckled, “And that’s exactly why I’m going to do just that.” He leaned down and brushed his lips over her brow, “now tell me what I can do to help you feel better.”A little while earlier, Jane had only wanted physical affection. However the IV fluids were gradually returning her to her usual self, and she realized just how much damage two days lying on the floor of cramped staff quarters had done to her hygiene. She felt sweaty and dirty, there was a sour taste in her mouth and she
3rd PersonWhen dawn broke on the pups’ first full day in the Southern Isles, the sun found them still curled in the protective shelter of a huge strangler fig, safely ensconced in the hollows of the tree it once engulfed. Of course, the night hadn’t left them entirely unscathed. Sleep was nearly impossible in the pitch black rainforest, with deadly predators roaming the forest floor and terrifying noises echoing in the distance. They eventually drifted off out of pure exhaustion, but when they woke they were covered in itchy bug bites and sweating through their clothes.They didn’t have any food or water, and as frightening as the jungle was, they were smart enough to know they had to try and find a way out. So the four children set out into the unknown, moving through the dense undergrowth one after the other, their small hands fisted in the shirt of the person in front of them. Riley led the way, hesitantly scanning the ground for spiders, snakes and poisonous frogs, while the othe
3rd Person The pups screamed in terror as the giant snake pursued them through the jungle, moving far faster than they thought should be possible. Their shifter bodies were fast, but they were still only children and struggling to get through the unfamiliar terrain. The anaconda on the other hand, was a native and had no problem navigating the complex terrain and thick vegetation of the forest floor. It surged through exotic botanicals, leaf litter and fallen trees, while the pups stumbled and scrambled to escape. Riley, Parker and Ryder caught up to Paisley after a few moments, and grabbed her hands, tugging her forward to prevent her from falling behind. The snake was only a few feet behind them when a strange rumbling noise filled the air, punctuated by violent cracks and the soaked earth shaking all around them. “what is that?” Riley shouted. “Another storm?” Ryder guessed. “No, this sounds different!” Parker yelled over the rising cacophony. “I think–” Paisley gasped, strugg
EthanI walk into Eric’s room without knocking, and instantly regret it. When I enter I find Eric and Linda standing a few inches apart, clearly about to kiss. Eric’s hands are on Linda’s waist, and her eyes are already closed in anticipation. If I could back out without them knowing I was ever there, I would – but it’s too late. When their lips are only inches apart, Eric turns toward the sound of the door, and the spell is broken.Both of their bodies deflate as they realize the opportunity has been lost, and Linda’s cheeks are flushed bright pink. Eric still hasn’t released her, and his wolf is glowing behind his eyes, but he watches me expectantly – almost as if demanding an explanation for my abrupt appearance.“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” I apologize, feeling uncharacteristically sheepish, “but we need to talk.”“Is Jane okay?” Linda asks, trying to put some distance between Eric and herself, then blinking in surprise when his hands tighten on her waist. His posse
EthanWhen Jane wakes the next morning, bleary eyed and still much too pale for my liking, she looks up at me in confusion. “What happened last night?”Part of me is disappointed that she doesn’t remember the progress we made yesterday, but I’m more grateful that she doesn’t seem to remember her nightmares. I didn’t leave Jane’s side again after finding her so devastated, and thankfully she slept through the night without further incident. Now she lies safely in the circle of my arms, her stunning green eyes wide and vulnerable.“How much do you remember?” I ask, tracing my fingers over her cheek. She leans into my touch and stretches like a sleepy kitten, going from uncertain and worried, to petted and pampered.“I remember you finding me,” she explains, her cheeks turning pink, “and the bath.”“Mhmm,” I encourage, unable to hide my smile. Jane is starting to squirm as she recalls those intimate moments, “what else?”“I remember you teasing me.” She sulks, “As if being sick wasn’t ba
3rd PersonThe pups were so exhausted after facing the anaconda and the landslide that they stopped for the night shortly afterwards, taking care to carry a few mangoes with them as they clambered up into the branches of a rubber tree – safe from the dangers of the forest floor. The next day they woke and made a breakfast of the sweet yellow fruit, before continuing to trek downhill.Around midday the endless sea of trees and vines finally broke, giving way to rolling green hills and fertile pastureland. As Riley, Parker, Paisley and Ryder plodded through the muddy fields, each feeling more exhausted and hungry than they’d ever been in their lives, they tried to figure out what to do next.“I dunno how we can make a plan, when we don’ even know wheres we are.” Parker sighed, feeling as though their conversation was going round in circles. Every time one of the siblings came up with an idea, the same wrench seemed to get thrown into the suggestion – that they were well and truly lost.
JaneThe last few days have passed in a dizzying haze. I’ve slept through much of our journey, and though Ethan has remained by my side in my waking hours, I do have to wonder what he, Eric and Linda have been planning while I rest. Today we’ve finally reached a midway port to resupply for the rest of the trip, and when Ethan wakes me with the news that I can finally get off this boat, I can’t move fast enough.When I emerge from his luxury cabin and feel the blaze of the unforgiving tropical sun for the first time, I can only think of my babies. Would the traffickers give them sunscreen? Would they have enough water? The worry consumes me so quickly and powerfully my knees go weak. It’s almost too tempting to return to the drug induced haze I’ve floated in the past few days, but I know that isn’t right. It’s a selfish inclination, to save myself having to feel these things, when my pups don’t have any such luxury.I tell Ethan as much as he helps me off the boat. “I don’t want any mo
JaneFour Months LaterEthan ushers the pups into my hospital room with a finger pressed to his lips. “Quietly now, Mommy’s very tired.”I’d gone into labor in the early hours of the morning, and the experience couldn’t have been more different than it had been with the quadruplets. Instead of suffering through the first contractions alone and afraid, I’d had my mate by my side, rubbing my back and crooning sympathetically as I gritted my teeth against the pain. After a few hours of pacing and fruitlessly trying to find a comfortable position, my water broke and we left for the hospital, leaving the pups with a sitter.I made it through fifteen hours of labor before caving and asking for an epidural, taking Ethan’s encouragement to save my strength for pushing when the time came. He never left my side the entire time, only stepping out of the room a couple of times to check in on the pups at my request. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthing partner – he lavished me with praise a
JaneWhen Ethan and I arrive back at the penthouse we find Devon and Nina sitting on the sofa while the pups zoom around the living room in front of them. Devon has an arm slung over Nina’s shoulder, which surprises me, but I can’t focus on them because the moment we walk through the door four little bodies come hurtling at our legs. “Mommy! Daddy!” The pups cry excitedly.Parker is the tallest and fastest, so he reaches us first, leaping up into Ethan’s waiting arms while I intercept Riley, whose small size lets her bound weightlessly across the room. “Hello my love puddles.” I greet them happily, kneeling so I can also hug Ryder, while Ethan effortlessly scoops up Paisley, even though his arms are already full with her brother. “What have you been up to? Were you good for Devon and Nina?” I ask, marveling at Ethan’s strength despite his recent recovery.“We were sooo good.” Riley confirms. “Nina was sad so we cuddled her.”“And then Devon told us we could get ice cream if we promi
JaneWhen I open my eyes, Ethan and I are still in the thermal pool. I can feel the water lapping and bubbling around me, but he’s no longer inside me, and when I look up it’s to find his dark gaze watching me intently. Gradually I realize he’s moved to the shallow end of the spring so he can sit on the submerged ledge and hold me in his lap. He rests one hand on my round belly, and our baby flutters inside me as if the tiny bean knows its father is near.“How long was I out?” I inquire softly, stretching and reveling in the delicious ache of my muscles. I’m filled with the lazy contentment of a well-loved mate, utterly drugged with pleasure that is only deepened by the sting of my claiming mark. I can feel the evidence of Ethan’s dominance in the swollen flesh between my legs, the bite marks on my breasts and faint bruises on my back and thighs. And right now I can’t imagine anything better than this… exc
3rd PersonNina’s heart sunk as she watched Ethan and Jane race out the door as their wolves, and she stepped forward to close the door out of mere reflex. When the panel clicked shut she found herself staring blankly at the dark wood, momentarily frozen in time. She couldn’t think, she couldn’t feel, she could only stand there and exist as this latest slight reverberated through her body.Only the sound of a small voice saying her name woke her from her miserable reverie, “Nina?”Slowly, as if in a trance, she turned. Blinking, her expression detached, she saw the pups watching her. Tiny feet padded over the floor in a miniature stampede, and then the four children were gathered around her, looking up at her with wrinkled brows. “Hmm?” She finally responded, unsure if they’d asked her a question or simply stopped at her name.“Are you okay?” Paisley inquired softly, genuine concern in h
Jane“Not want you?” Ethan snarls furiously, seeming angrier about that suggestion than my words about Devon. “Not want you? That has never been the problem!”His hands are so fierce on my body, and I can see a wild sort of desperation in his handsome features. His eyes are glowing and his fangs extended – I know his wolf is right on the edge.“Then show me.” I demand. Sliding my hand down between our flush bodies. “Let me feel your desire, Ethan.”“Why are you doing this?” He groans, burying his head in my neck.“Because you’re punishing yourself for something that isn’t your fault.” I murmur in reply, my lips brushing against his ear as I speak. “And it’s gone on long enough.”“But it is my fault, Janey. Everything I do backfires, every time I try to do the right thing for you, I fuck up.” He confesses, sounding so vulnerable I ache.“Then maybe you should stop trying to figure out the answer for me, and start working with me. Ask me what I want and give it to me, don’t try to do it
JaneEthan and I run through the quiet streets of the city as our wolves, not minding one bit that we’re on pavement and not in the forest. We bound around shopkeepers and early morning commuters without a care in the world, oblivious to the curious looks we’re drawing.I’ve always preferred running at night, but I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to convince Ethan to stop being so stubborn. When I saw him in his wolf form with our pups climbing all over him this morning, pure joy washed over me. I might not have known how Ethan has been
Ethan“You’re letting them stay?” Nina demands, glaring at me as she wears a hole in the floor, pacing back and forth with the indignant energy of a she-wolf scorned. Unsurprisingly, she was less than amused to learn I decided to allow Jane and the pups to stay with us – though in truth it hadn’t been much of a choice. My mischievous mate forced me between a rock and a hard place, and I wasn’t about to drag her out of the penthouse kicking and screaming.“I can’t just throw them out.&
JaneMy plan to sneak-move into the penthouse is working better than I imagined. Granted, I keep catching my pups practicing their maniacal laughs in the mirror, but in the grand scheme of things, encouraging their talents for mastermining dastardly plots isn’t the worst idea. After all, I want to encourage their ambition in whatever they do… even if it is taking over the world.Regardless of the burgeoning tricksters under my roof, everything else has gone fairly smoothly. I was able to hire last minute movers to pack up and bring everything from our apartment in the Dark Moon territory and transport it here. The only real challenge was maki
JaneEthan winces, then kisses me again, long and deep. When he pulls away, I feel tears in my eyes. I already know he hasn’t been swayed by my pleading. “I know it hurts right now, Jane.” He acknowledges, looking truly aggrieved. “It hurts me too. But one day you’ll see that I’m right.” His thumb brushes a stray tear from my cheek. “You were so much better off without me. You built a fragrance empire and raised three amazing pups all by yourself. But a few months with me and you were on my floor, begging to be a slave again.”“That wasn’t because I was with you, it was because I wasn&rsquo