Ethan “Daddy!” Paisley’s sweet voice whispers in my ear, as one of her sharp little fingers jabs my side. “Daddy, are you awakes?” My eyes are still closed, and it feels as though I just fell asleep a moment ago. I’m not sure what time it is, but I know something must be up if Paisley is trying to wake me. Normally she climbs right into bed with me and snuggles up without a word, perfectly content to snooze until I’m ready to get up – even if her tummy is growling with hunger, she’ll happily choose cuddles over food. “Daddy,” she whispers again, giving me another prod. “No.” I moan, throwing an arm over my eyes dramatically. “I’m asleep.” “Daddy!” Paisley giggles, the sweet sound lifting my sleepy spirits. “I’m serious.” “So am I.” I grumble, pulling the covers up over my head to hide from the adorable creature. A moment later the duvet is yanked back down, and Paisley is sitting on my chest, determined to interrupt my rest. “Daddy I needs to talk to you.” Begrudgingly I peek
Jane Of all the things I expected to find when I came home today, Paisley, Ethan and his fated mate were just about the last things on my list. I’m so stunned when I see my ex-husband that it takes me a moment to realize that Paisley is buried beneath her siblings on the floor. It’s not until I hear her muffled voice crying, “Mommy!” that I’m able to pull my attention away from her father. “Paisley?” I respond hopefully, feeling my heart immediately leap into my throat. After a moment her little head appears, and her eyes widen when she sees my round belly. “Mommy you’re tummy’s ginormous!” She exclaims. She’s not the only one who seems preoccupied with it. Ethan is staring at my belly too – as if he’s never seen a pregnant she-wolf before. I try my best to ignore him, instead lowering myself to the ground to take Paisley into my arms. “I know, angel.” I laugh, pulling my daughter close as soon as she’s within reach. “You should have seen me
Jane The day after Paisley, Ethan and Nina arrive in the Dark Moon pack, we spend the day at the park with Devon and the other pups. We packed a picnic, went on a hike, and stopped at the playground afterwards so the pups could expend any energy they had left over. For the most part I watched Ethan with the pups, searching for any signs of strange behavior – anything that might explain the conversation I overheard last night. I’m sticking close to Devon and seriously debating just coming out and asking one or both of the men what’s going on. However the fact that they’ve clearly been colluding to keep me in the dark all this time makes me think I’m better off investigating on my own. I keep replaying their secretive whispers in my head, trying to untangle the hidden meanings in their words. For whatever reason, Ethan clearly asked Devon to look out for me and the pups. He’d said he didn’t have a choice… whatever that means. As I watched Ethan gallop
Jane Before I became a mother I used to sleep like the dead. Truly, a tree could fall right by my bed and I wouldn’t wake. I always slept through the night, and I never struggled to rest in cars, trains or planes. Now a cricket can chirp a mile away and I’ll jolt up like someone has screamed in my ear. Of course it’s not only sounds and disturbances that wake me now. My wolf always knows when one of my children needs me – even if they don’t make a peep. So when I wake in the middle of the night with my wolf urging me to check on the pups, I don’t question it. I slide out of bed and pull on my robe, striding out into the darkened apartment. I find Paisley standing in the middle of the hallway, staring at her father’s closed door. “Paisley, why are you still up?” I whisper, coming forward and brushing her hair back from her eyes as she looks up at me. “Cuz I can’t get in bed with Daddy when he’s with Nina.” She replies sadly. My stomach sinks,
Jane I call Linda first thing the next day, determined to figure out the truth. I’m still reeling from my conversations with Paisley and Nina, still trying to wrap my mind around the idea that Ethan is paralyzed. I hate to think that all this has been happening right under my nose, and I feel so stupid for not seeing it sooner. My wolf tried to tell me that something was wrong with Ethan, but I was so ready to believe he didn’t want me. I expected him to hurt me, so I didn’t question it when he did – even though we’d come so far together. My hands are shaking as I dial my best friend, wondering what Ethan could have possibly said to convince her to lie to me this way. She answers promptly, “Hello, my love.” Her voice is familiar and warm, and her betrayal cuts through me. Linda was my friend, not Ethans – she was supposed to be on my side no matter what. “Linda,” I breathe, barely able to contain my hurt. I’d planned on having an ope
Jane The next few hours are a terrifying blur. My labor came on fast after Devon revealed that Ethan is going to marry Nina if he survives his surgery. I suppose it was the shock, or perhaps all the stress of the last 24 hours building up and pouring over. Either way, my body quickly doubled over with contractions, and a fresh wave of fear assailed me. I’m only five months along, if I have my baby now it’s chances of surviving are next to nothing. Still, I know what labor feels like – even if I’d forgotten just how acute the pain is. I read once that women have a special hormone which makes them forget just how traumatic childbirth is, so that they’ll be more willing to reproduce again. Right now I believe it – I remembered that the pain was extreme, but living it is another thing entirely. My body feels like it’s trying to tear me apart from the inside out, and suddenly I’m furious with Ethan for putting this child inside me – for causing me this pa
Jane When I wake, my first thought is of my baby.I jerk up in bed, clutching my belly. What happened? I think frantically. I try to take stock of my body. I certainly don’t feel like I’ve just given birth. As if my baby can sense my anxiety, a little kick taps the wall of my uterus. “Oh, thank the Goddess.” I breathe, patting the spot. “Hello angel.”“Jane, you’re awake!” I hadn’t even realized Devon was in the room with me until he spoke.“Devon!” I exclaim, “What happened?”“The doctor said it was pre-term labor, but they were able to stop it.” Devon explains, and when he doesn’t say anymore, I suspect that’s all he knows. It’s not surprising, given what I’ve learned about how strict doctors can be with patient confidentiality.The words ‘pre-term labor’ send a stab of fear through my body. I’m only five months along, that’s too soon for this baby to be born. “Stop it for how long?” I inquire, even realizing my friend probably doesn’t know.Thankfully a doctor swoops in at precise
JaneWhen we arrive at the hospital, Ethan is already in the operating theater.My heart sinks when the nurse at reception tells us we’re too late, but it stops beating completely when we walk into the waiting room and see Nina and Matthew seated on the uncomfortable couches. They’re both wearing guarded expressions, but neither can hide their surprise when Devon and I enter with the pups.I’m sure in time we’ll have it out, but other than some narrowed eyes and posturing, neither one of them objects to our presence. In truth, they seem fairly resigned, and when I ask if there’s been any news, they simply frown and squeeze their linked hands. “Nothing yet,” Matthew shares. “The whole thing should take a few hours… they told us that we’d get a chance to say goodbye if it doesn’t work.” It seems as if every word out of his mouth is accompanied by a wince. “He won&