3rd Person“What’s wrong?” Ethan asked nervously, afraid of hearing one more word of bad news in this horrendous week.“We don’t have enough on Eve to get a warrant for her arrest. The only evidence we can find is circumstantial.” The investigator sighed.“I thought you said she was growing the flowers used for the poison?” Ethan growled, his head reeling. “And after the car accident, and that recording? She’s the only one who has motive!”“The flowers are a common garden plant, half the residents in the city have them.” The investigator answered. “And yes, the brakes were cut on her car, but we can’t prove she did it. At best we can make a case for criminal negligence and child endangerment between having Paisley in the front seat and encouraging her to run away.”“Then arrest her for that!” Ethan insisted.“She would be out on bail within the hour.” The detective replied, “if we want to convince a judge that she’s too dangerous to be out among the public, we need to get her on attem
3rd Person“I really am sorry Jane.” Eric professed, reaching for her hand across the dinner table.“I know.” Jane smiled softly, giving his palm a squeeze. After a week of chaos, Eric had convinced her to come out with him for an apology dinner, and she’d been only too happy to oblige, since every night she had plans was one more night she could tell Ethan she wasn’t available for a date. At the same time, she also hadn’t told the Alpha about their evening out, though she wasn’t sure why. A woman had every right to go out with her fiance after all.She supposed she was worried about creating more tension between the men when things were already so stressful, but she also felt a bit guilty lying about having a business dinner with Ethan’s replacement on the perfume launch. He didn’t seem to mind – so thrilled to spend time with the kids he’d agreed to take them to see a new movie that was bound to be a drag for any adult.Studying Eric in the low candlelight, she realized that it was
EthanHow pathetic is it that I’ve only been away from Jane a few hours, but I already miss her? It didn’t help that the entire way through the kids’ movie, I had nothing but time to think about my lovely mate. Strange as it seems, I just didn’t find a bunch of animated woodland animals frolicking through a silly adventure as compelling as Jane. Still the kids enjoyed it, and my heart swelled in my chest the moment that Ryder crawled into my lap for no other reason than that he wanted to be close to me while we watched.Now, as we return to the penthouse, I can’t wait to watch them act out the story for their mother. They’re currently debating the best part of the film, but the fine hairs on the back of my neck stand on end the closer we draw to the apartment building. As we round the corner, I see a blinding array of flashing lights, and police cars flooding the street in front of the entrance.My first thought is of Jane, and before I can think twice, I scoop two pups up in each arm
JaneExplaining death to four years olds is almost as difficult as watching Ethan muddle through the next few days in a complete fog, appearing more like a zombie than the man I know so well. Every time I tell the pups that Petra is gone and won’t be coming back, the message only seems to sink in for a few hours. Soon enough they’re asking me when they’re going to see Petra again, and I have to try to explain the concept of permanence to four precious beings who simply cannot understand it.Still, watching Ethan is harder. We got through all the planning and preparations for a massive state funeral with great exhaustion and stress, but little emotion on his part. I keep waiting for him to break, to come out of shock and grieve the way he needs to so desperately. It hasn’t happened yet, and I merely pray that he will find the spark he needs before the funeral is over this afternoon.Most of the day is a series of overly formal ceremonies and traditions, and I’m simply proud that the pu
JaneA week later I still haven’t been able to bring myself to tell Ethan about the police suspecting me for his Mother’s murder. I keep telling myself that it’s simply too much stress for him at an already difficult time, but I think there’s also a small part of me that’s afraid he won’t believe me. The detective’s words have been playing on loop in my mind, and I have to admit his story sounds compelling.We’re finally returning to the apartment today, assured by the crime scene cleanup team that it’s now spotless and we would never know such a horrible thing happened there. Still, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to erase the image from my mind, nor do I think Ethan will. The kids are the least bothered by all of this, but then again they don’t know Petra was murdered, they simply know she’s gone.So when we return to the Penthouse, the kids run in almost instantly, rushing off to their rooms while Ethan and I stand frozen in the doorway, haunted by the last occasion we stood in thi
“No.” I protest. “It isn’t possible, whatever happened between us in the past, however badly Ethan might want the kids, Ethan would never harm his mother. He’s been devastated by her loss.” I explain, feeling confused but increasingly confident Eric is on the wrong track.“Devastated by loss, or guilt?” Eric suggests ominously.“The investigators said a woman killed her.” I remind him, “If Ethan had done it her head wouldn’t have even been on her neck anymore.”“Well of course they did, you’re being framed for the crime Jane, it would have to look like a woman did it whether it actually was or not.” Eric insists. “And that man almost killed me for merely suggesting the pups weren’t his. You think he wouldn’t take extreme action to keep them?”“You don’t know Ethan like I do.” I insist, “He loved his mother.”“You’re right, I don’t know him like you. But I know how he talks about you and your family when you’re not there and he’s not trying to charm you, I know the kinds of things Alph
3rd PersonEthan glanced at Jane out of the corner of his eye. She’d been incredibly tense all evening, even with the pups. They were currently preparing dinner together, and every time Ethan came near her her little body wound up as tight as a spring. He couldn’t keep quiet anymore after she jumped three feet in the air from a light touch on the waist, simply because he’d wanted to nudge her out of the way of the silverware drawer.“Janey, what’s going on? You’re being as skittish as a startled rabbit.” He asked, turning her to face him.“Nothing.” She uttered, averting her gaze.“Eyes.” He ordered, noting the way she squirmed against him rather than obey. “Now, little wolf.” He ordered. Jane gradually peeked up at him from beneath her lashes, sulking as she caved to his authority. “Tell me the truth.”“Nothing’s wrong,” She repeated, “I’m just tired.”Ethan growled, but before he could ask her anything more, a knock sounded at the door. “This isn’t over.” He informed her sternly, go
3rd Person Jane’s heart sank when she saw Ethan’s angry expression. Glancing nervously at the door, she wrapped her arms protectively around her body. However instead of answering she simply backed away from Ethan, unable to bring herself to focus on her alibi until she knew exactly what had happened. “What else did he say?”“He told me about the evidence connecting you to the crime scene.” Ethan explained, following her slowly.“The dress?” Jane asked, gnawing her lower lip.“The dress, plus the hair and bloody footprints.” Ethan elaborated.“He never told me about those.” Jane breathed shakily, turning away from the Alpha to try and collect her thoughts without feeling his searing gaze on her. Of course, all this meant was that she could feel it on her back instead of her face, lancing through her like a laser beam.“That’s typical.” Ethan told her, “they never tell you how much they have against you, he probably has other things he didn’t tell me. That’s how they get you – th
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