Ch. 116..120: The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 116-120
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 116
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 l!ps 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 was worried she was beginning to smell. The idea of getting into Ethan’s clean sheets in this state was unthinkable. “I want a bath.” She decided firmly, though her voice came out hoarse.
Ethan studied the curve of her elbow, covered in tubes and medical tape. I think that can be arranged, but we’ll have to keep your arm out of the water.
Jane nodded, “Okay.”
Five minutes later, Jane was floating in Ethan’s huge whirlpool bath while its powerful jets massaged her aching muscles. It felt incredible, but the tub’s basin was so deep she couldn’t actually rest against the porcelain frame- it was clearly made for a shifter the Alpha’s size, and not a diminutive omega. Jane huffed in frustration, looking over at Ethan hopefully. He was sitting beside the bath, keeping an eye on the IV and taking the opportunity to ogle his beautiful mate under the guise of helping” her bathe.
When Ethan dragged his eyes away from her long legs and luscious bre*asts, instead zeroing in on her lovely face, he smirked. Something you want to ask me, Janey?”
Jane flushed scarlet, “It’s too deep.”
Ethan surveyed the huge bath, nodding in agreement but giving no indications he intended to help. “I think you’re right.”
Jane’s eyes narrowed to slits, Well?”
Well what?” He asked innocently, though his dark eyes glinted with mischief.
“Are you going to get in with me, or not?” Jane exclaimed, pouting.
That depends, do you need me to get in, or do you want me to?” He teased, still not moving.
“I need you to.” Jane told him stubbornly, far less willing to admit how badly she wanted him now that her senses had returned. I can’t swim and clean myself at the same time.”
Then how about I clean you from out here.” He suggested, his wolf rising to the surface as he imagined the great care he would take to ensure every inch of her body was squeaky clean. He knew it couldn’t go anywhere, she was too ill and needed her rest, but he could still enjoy pampering her while he had the chance. Despite her decision about the pups, Jane was still fighting her feelings for him, and he understood that some walls didn’t come down so easily – especially not with all their history.
It would take time, but until then Ethan planned on taking advantage of every opportunity he could to show her how good they could be together – whether it was her heat, or vulnerable moments like this one. He hadn’t forgotten about the pups, far from it, but right now they were speeding towards them as fast as they could and there was nothing more he could do to get them there quicker. On the other hand, Jane needed him now, and though he had every intention of giving her what she needed, he wasn’t going to make it too easy on her either.
“Ethan!” Jane objected sullenly, softening her tone when he simply stared back at her expectantly.
Please?”
of course baby.” He answered, rising to his feet, you know you only ever have to ask.” Jane shot him an unamused scowl, but Ethan could see her squirming with anticipation as he undressed.
For a moment he wondered if it was cruel of him to tease her when she felt poorly, but his wolf quickly shut that idea down. This is the way it had always been with Jane. She never submitted easily, even when her omega side was fully revealed. She needed to be chased, to be caught and dominated, her wolf had to be convinced that Ethan was strong enough to provide and care for her and their pups.
Besides, making her want him wasn’t the hard part, she already wanted him plenty, it was making her see that it was safe to give in to her desires, that she could be open with him again without fear of betrayal. He was not sure what revelations had led her to reconsider her decision about the pups, but he knew a single epiphany could hardly fix everything.
Jane’s pain ran deep, and it would take time and lots of work to rebuild the trust between them.
Jane’s eyes were glued to Ethan’s muscular body as he removed his clothing piece by piece, and the Alpha had to have some strong words with his wolf to keep himself from rising to the occasion speak. Guiding Jane’s slender form towards the front of the bath, he sunk into the steaming waters behind her and pulled her between his legs. Jane leaned her back against his broad ch3st, sighing with satisfaction as she was finally able to relax.
Her bandaged arm remained perched on the rim of the tub, safely out of the water, but every other inch of her skin was flush against Ethan’s and she was still trying to snuggle closer. Purring softly, Ethan soaped up a soft sponge and began to drag it over her body, but Jane stiffened. “I don’t actually need you to wash me, Ethan.” She insisted, reaching for the loofah. I’m not a pup.”
Ethan lifted the sponge out of her reach, “You only have one hand,” He reminded her, nuzzling her neck. “Besides, it has nothing to do with being a pup. When is the last time you actually let someone take care of you, hmm?”
Jane started to think that she’d been letting Linda take care of her, but the truth is that she hadn’t actually given her friend any control. Linda did what Jane asked, but she hadn’t asked for more than the bare minimum she needed to fend for herself. If Jane was honest, she hadn’t trusted anyone enough to let herself be truly vulnerable since becoming Ethan’s prisoner. Sure, Ethan took control when she went into heat or when they crashed in the mountains, but she hadn’t really had a choice in either case. I don’t know.” She murmured softly, turning her face into his neck.
“Don’t you want that?” Ethan asked, returning the sudsing loofah to her skin, “don’t you want to be able to let go? To just relax and let someone else take the reins for a little while?” The sponge, both soft and rough at once, gently scrubbed her body clean as Ethan spoke, his firm and steady movements complimenting the bath’s jets and unwinding all of Jane’s tension.
“Yes,” Jane admitted in a whisper, “I do want that, but it’s impossible.”
“Why is that?” Ethan pressed, sliding the loofah over her bre*asts and making her arch in response.
Easy baby, you’re not up for that tonight.”
«Then don’t touch me there.” Jane complained.
“But you need to be clean there too.” Ethan replied slyly, earning a grumpy humph from his mate.
Smothering a laugh, he forged on. “Come on, tell me why it’s impossible.”
Because the pups are in trouble, I won’t ever be able to relax until they’re safe.” Jane confessed.
And once they’re home I have to worry about raising them and keeping anything like this from ever happening again. Parent’s don’t get to relax, Ethan.”
“Everyone has to let go every now and then, Janey.” Ethan answered.
“Not you.” Jane argued, “You’re always in control.”
That’s why I have you.” Ethan replied, “I’m hardly in control in the middle of a rut – in charge maybe, but not in control. An Alpha’s mate is their only release .
But I haven’t been here.” Jane reminded him.
“oh I’m well aware.” Ethan chuckled, but don’t you see, that’s why we need each other. Being together is how we both get what we need.” Jane’s head was beginning to loll as Ethan’s soothing touch and tender words lulled her towards sleep. “You can trust me to take care of you, Jane.” He vowed, his l!ps moving against her ear. “I’m going to prove it to you once this is all over. We can be happy together, you’ll see.”
Jane tilted her face up towards his, blinking her tired eyes open to stare into his own. “You promise?”
“I promise.” Ethan professed, trailing k!sses over her face, wondering how much of this conversation she would remember in the morning. She was already drifting off to sleep, floating on a high of drugs and Ethan. He finished washing her while she dozed, then transferred her to his bed.
Ethan considered crawling under the covers with her, but it was still midday, and he wanted to speak to Eric about their plan now that Jane and Linda were in the picture. He only planned on stepping out for a little while, knowing the drugs the medic gave Jane would keep her under for a long time, but it was a mistake to leave. Without him, the nightmares which had been plaguing Jane for days returned, stronger and more powerful than before.
Her sleeping mind was consumed by images of her pups lost and alone in a far off jungle, struggling to survive and unaware of the dangers surrounding them on all sides. Little did she know that these weren’t mere nightmares, but visions sent by the Goddess herself.
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 117
3rd Person
When 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 others kept their ears open for the monsters they’d heard calling in the night.
“What was that!” Ryder yelped, jumping a foot in the air when a twig snapped behind them.
All four pups whipped around, scanning the area and scenting the air. Unfortunately, their foreign surroundings were so unfamiliar they didn’t recognize any of the strange smells which met their noses. After ä moment passed without any signs of movement or further sounds, they continued onward.
“I’m starving.” Parker complained, his stomach rumbling to punctuate his words. “Are you sure we can’t eat those mushrooms we saw?”
“No, Mommy says never to eat mushrooms from the ground” Ryder reminded him, “they might be poison.”
“1 think it’s more ‘portant that we find water:”
Paisley announced, already feeling lightheaded after so many hours without hydration.
As if the sky heard her worried words, a huge clap of thunder sounded overhead and once again the pups found themselves being drenched in a relentless downpour. “Arrgh, does it always have to rain here?!”
Riley exclaimed in frustration.
“Well it is a rainforest.”‘ Parker answered slyly, earning himself an unamused glare from his sister.
“No no, is a good thing!” Paisley exclaimed. “Look!”
She reached up to a huge leaf shaped like an elephant’s ear, pulling the tip down towards her face and letting all the water that had collected on its concave surface pour into her open mouth.
“Paisley you’re a genius!” Ryder exclaimed, running over to another leaf and mimicking her actions.
Parker and Riley followed suit, and before long all four pups were running from leaf to leaf, drinking up as much rainwater as they could. The torrential storm continued to douse the earth in fresh water, and before long the ground was drenched and inches deep in rich black mud.
Once their thirst was quenched, the pups quickly realized that the rain was more of a gift than a curse.
Not only did it send all the Jungle’s scary animals running for shelter, but it created some of the biggest, muddiest puddles they’d ever seen in their lives. Riley realized it first, jumping with both feet into a huge puddle and squealing with delight when water went splashing in every direction. “Look at me, look at me!”
She cried, hopping into another.
Laughing uproariously, the other three pups joined the game, jumping from puddle to puddle and competing to see who could make the biggest splash.
Eventually they all came to a stop before the same sprawling pool, so deep that the tops of the tangled tree roots were visible above the surface. “Woah!” They exclaimed in unison.
Without needing to discuss a single word, the quadruplets linked hands and prepared to leap. “One, two, three!” As soon as the final number was spoken, they pounced, landing knee-deep in the dense muck.
Ryder, Parker and Paisley were so busy laughing, they didn’t notice the devious smile on Riley’s face, not until she reached down and grabbed a handful of mud, and lobbed it straight at her siblings.
It landed with a splat on Parker’s middle, and he looked up with surprise. Riley was already reaching down for another handful, but the boys were used to her shenanigans, and quickly adapted. “Oh no you don’t, Riley!” Ryder giggled, nudging Paisley to encourage her to arm herself as well.
“Too late.” Riley chortled. “ls a mud fight!”
It took Paisley a moment to catch up to the sudden chaos, but before long she was having more fun than she could ever recall having in her young life. She’d always been too sick to do this sort of thing, and the pups she usually played with had never understood her adventurous spirit. They were all the children of stuffy aristocrats who would never dream of getting dirty just for the fun of it, but playing with her siblings completely free of inhibitions or worries despite their grave situation – well, it felt like coming home at long last.
She dove into the game with unbridled joy, even tackling Ryder and rolling around with him and wrestling amid peels of laughter.
Though the pups might not have realized it, thousands of eyes watched as they played. It was easy to feel alone in the wilderness, but creatures great and small moved stealthily around them, keenly aware of the intruders in their domain. In fact, the jungle’s many inhabitants found themselves baffled by the behavior of these strange creatures. Within minutes they were all covered head to foot in mud, racing around and splashing each other – making far more noise than any natural ground dweller would ever dare. In the sprawling canopies it was common for birds and monkeys to claim their territory with loud announcements, but things were far more treacherous on the forest floor. Didn’t these odd little canines know better than to announce their location so openly?
If the pups had known what to look for, they might have noticed when the forest around them went abruptly quiet. Initially their own noisemaking had joined a symphony of wildlife calls, which had dulled beneath the rain’s deafening cascade, but crescendoed back to life as the storm eased. But now everything went eerily silent, the only sounds remaining in the dark forest were the pup’s laughter and the final trickling of the afternoon shower. It wasn’t until the deep puddle in which the children waded began to slither and ripple, that they realized anything was amiss.
“Hold on!” Parker called to the others, pointing at the surface of the dark water. “Is the puddle moving?”
The other three pups froze, intently watching the ground for signs of life. “Something just touched my leg!” Riley whispered anxiously.
“Back out, very slowly.” Ryder advised, glancing behind himself to make sure the path was clear.
However as the children carefully retreated, the waters rippling grew more pronounced. Before long all four quadruplets were able to make out a long, serpentine body gliding through the water around their legs.
“ls a snake!” Paisley gasped, turning pale as a sheet, “a really big one!”
Right on cue, the coiling creature lifted its massive, triangular head out of the water, rising up from the black depths and carefully studying its lunch menu. The glinting slits of its reptilian eyes traveled between the petrified pups as it continued to rear up, until it stood as tall as they did, despite the fact that most of its body remained submerged. It’s forked tongue stuck out at each of them in turn, as if it was tasting their individual scents before deciding whom to devour.
“I think is an anconda.” Parker hissed, observing the huge jaws which could easily detach to swallow him whole. “Paisley, you run first, you’re the littlest.”
“But what if running makes it come after me?”
Paisley squeaked.
“We’ll try to hold it off, but we have ta run or it will eat us.” Ryder advised.
Nodding nervously, Paisley continued to retreat until her tiny feet were clear of the puddle, and then turned tail and ran. The monstrous snake whipped its head in her direction, distracted enough for Parker to leap onto its neck and wrap his little arms around it in a strangle hold. “Run!” He shouted to the others, even as the anaconda thrashed against his hold, trying to snap at its unwelcome passenger, but unable to reach him.
“We can’t leave you!” Riley explained, searching for something, anything to use as a weapon. If only they were old enough to shift!
At the last second, she saw a huge stick on the ground. Hefting it in her small hands, she lifted the branch like a bludgeon. As Parker clung to the snake’s neck for dear life while it j*rked him from left to right, his body flying through the air, Riley brought the stick down on its head, hitting it over and over again until it stopped moving. From the looks of it, it was only dazed, but the pups weren’t going to waste any time.
They took off after Paisley, racing through the jungle as fast as their young feet could carry them and glancing over their shoulders to see if the snake was coming after them.
At first it seemed like they were home free, but then Parker saw the undergrowth violently rustling as it was crushed beneath a huge scaly body. And there, its eyes glowing in the darkness as it charged after its escaping meal, was one very angry snake. “It’s right behind us!”
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 118
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.
“1 think-” Paisley gasped, struggling to fill her lungs with air as she pushed her heart farther than it had ever been pushed before, “I think is a earthquake!”
As the words left her mouth, the ground beneath their feet gave out, sweeping all four pups away down the side of a steep ridge, and leaving the snake far behind. The children cried out as they were carried away, not realizing that this was not an earthquake, but a landslide brought on by all the heavy rain. They also had no way of knowing how lucky they were to be at the top of the muddy cascade, far lighter than all the rocks and muck flowing downhill and clearing the path in front of them.
By the time they finally slowed, rolling to a stop on a mound of destruction, they were covered in bumps and bruises, but ultimately unharmed. They shakily looked up the hill they’d just been forced to descend, their mouths dropping open when they saw the vertical clearing the mudslide had wrought in the middle of the forest. A huge swath of barren clay was framed between towering trees on either side and even as they watched, a huge tree topped over into the glade, no longer supported by its roots – which were somewhere beneath the pups. When it hit the earth, a bevy of ripered fruits were dislodged from its branches, and rolled down the hill.
The pups blinked as a pile of mangoes collected around them, and after exchanging a few glances, immediately snatched them up and began scarfing down the fruit. After a few moments of chewing the delicious yellow flesh, Paisley lifted her head and gasped for air.”That was Cwazy.”
“You can say that again.” Ryder agreed, r!pping off another chunk of juicy fruit with his sharp canines.
“Where are we?” Riley asked, gazing around in confusion as her claws peeled the skin away from her second mango.
“1 dunno Parker sighed, swallowing a particularly large bite. “but I think we’re even more lost than before.
Meanwhile back on the ship, Ethan stopped by the galley to pick up the items the medic had suggested for Jane’s stomach, before heading to Eric’s rooms. Of course, he had no way of knowing he was about to interrupt an intimate moment.
After Ethan left with Jane, Linda had found herself alone with Eric for the first time since the pups disappeared. They’d never been close the way Eric and Jane were, but every time they met over the years Linda liked him more and more. It had finally reached a point where Linda had to acknowledge she was in love with him – to herself if not anyone else. She knew he only had eyes for Jane, but no matter what she tried, she couldn’t seem to shake her feelings for him.
“l had a feeling Jane wasn’t going to give up that easily” Eric had said, after watching Ethan carry her away up the stairs.
“I’m surprised Ethan didn’t see it coming too.”
Linda agreed.”I mean we weren’t exactly subtle. You know Jane made me climb the rigging to get on board?”
“You’re joking!” Eric exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with amusement.
“Oh yes, l imagine it was quite the sight.” She recalled, shaking her head, “But she’s a determined little thing, our Jane.”
“1 don’t think she’s “my” Jane anymore.” Eric grimaced. “I’m pretty sure I burned that bridge for good.
Linda nodded in understanding, “It’s true, you might not ever go back to the way things were, but the way things were wasn’t working for any of you, was it?”
“No, I guess not” Eric agreed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t really want to spend the rest of my life chasing someone who doesn’t want me.”
“It never gets any easier.” Linda shared, frowning.“
But it’s also a hard pattern to break. If we could choose who to love it… well it wouldn’t be love”
“That’s sure as hell true, but life would be a lot easier if we could Eric groused.
“A lot easier, and a lot emptier.” Linda amended, summoning a small smile and wrapping her arms around herself. She didn’t think Eric knew how strongly she felt about him, but she believed he at least suspected her feelings weren’t entirely platonic. It was an astonishingly nerve-wracking experience to have this conversation with him.
When Eric leaned towards her, she was so surprised she backed away. It wasn’t until she saw him peering into the cramped staff cabin, frowning in disapproval, that she realized this had been his attention all along. “You can’t stay here.”
Linda shrugged.”Sure I can, we paid for it.”
“No; He huffed a laugh, “I mean it’s tiny and smells of sick, you should come stay in my cabin, it’s nice and big, and there’s a pull out couch -I’ll even let you take the bed.”
Linda almost suggested that they share the bed, but stopped herself before the words could leave her mouth. Thanks but that really isn’t necessary.”
“Yes, it is.” Eric corrected her, moving inside the cabin and collecting her luggage – not so much as asking before he carted it out of the room and up the stairs.
“Hey, you can’t just make that decision for me!”
Linda objected, hurrying after him.
Eric didn’t stop, continuing up three more flights of stairs until they reached the upper deck. “Give me one good reason why you should stay in that dingy little room when there’s a comfortable suite upstairs with plenty of room for us to share.” He ordered, steering the reluctant she-wolf towards the first class cabins.
Because staying in the same room with you and not being able to touch you or tell you how I feel will be utter torture. Linda thought to herself. Of course, saying this out loud was not an option and what’s more, she couldn’t think of a decent excuse. “1… It’s… fine. She finally agreed, sounding thoroughly defeated.
“Oh” Now Eric did stop, hovering outside the door to his suite with a guilt-stricken expression. When he looked at Linda, she almost thought there was fear in his eyes, “unless you hate me too now?”
Linda j8rked her head up, amazed he could ever think such a thing. “Eric -I don’t hate you.” She told him firmly. “l could never”
“You don’t have to say that.” Eric sighed, dragging one hand through his hair.
“I’m not just saying it.” Linda assured him. “I don’t think you’re evil or that you’re a traitor. I actually… I actually think what you did is really brave.”
Eric laughed humorlessly, “Now lying.”
“I’m not lying!” Linda insisted, “And I don’t appreciate being accused of it either:” She added, crossing
her arms over her chest. “Is this your room?”
“Yes.” Eric pronounced, “But you really don’t have know you’re to –
Linda had already pushed through the door and strode inside, gazing around a suite about half the size of Ethan’s, though it was every bit as nice. “Wow.” She remarked simply. “Jane really owes me for those first two nights.”
“Linda, l’m sorry.” Eric professed, “I didn’t mean to accuse you of lying, but there was nothing brave about what I did.”
Linda eyed him closely, sympathy overwhelming her when she took in his downtrodden expression. “1don’t excuse the way you deceived Jane.” She began, surprised to see her words had the power to make the Prince wince. “But you were doing what you believed was your duty. You were proving yourself to your father -a desire all children have at some point or another.
And when you realized it was wrong, when you realized he wasn’t being honorable, you stood up to him and took the consequences in stride.”
Eric’s eyes widened slightly, he’d never heard anyone describe his situation this way before. His father called him a traitor and a failure – a weakling.
Jane and Ethan called him a liar and an untrustworthy weasel, and he’d called himself all those things and more over the years. “I know what it’s like to have a father who doesn’t deserve your admiration.” Linda continued, “and I know how hard it is to face that, come to terms with it, and put an unworthy parent behind you. You might be many things, but you aren’t a coward, and you aren’t a traitor.”
“Then what am I?” Eric questioned, approaching Linda.
“You’re a man who had a hard path, and is trying to make things right.” Linda answered huskily, all too aware of how close he was standing. “You’re strong and kind… and you deserve happiness.”
Eric grazed his knuckles across her cheek, feeling the surreal sensation of being truly seen for the first time in his life. His wolf, who had never been entirely sold on Jane, urged him to k**s her. Linda was so lovely, and the way she was looking at him right now, he knew she wanted it too. Taking a deep breath, he lowered his mouth to hers.
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 119
Ethan
I 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 k!ss. Eric’s hands are on Linda’s waist, and her eyes are already closed in anticipation. If l could back out without them knowing I was ever there, I would- but it’s too late.
When their l!ps 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 l’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 wa!st. His possessive display only lasts for a moment, and he relinquishes his hold on her after a few seconds. Either way, Linda turns an even deeper shade of red and tries to smother her smile.
“Jane is going to be fine.” I tell her warmly, “thank you for coming to me. It was the right thing to do.”
“Yes well, you know that and I know that, but I doubt Jane sees it that way.” Linda sighs, clearly fearing my spirited mate will be angry with her. However after the way Jane responded to me upstairs, I doubt that will actually be the case. My little wolf may be stubborn, but once she submits she’s only too sweet.
“Jane isn’t going to hold it against you.” I promise,
“She was in a bad way and already feeling much better.
Trust me, she’ll thank you for it when she wakes.”
“Not if you send us packing.” Linda grumbles, clearly expecting the same outcome Jane had.
“But l’m not.” I share, surprising them both.
“You’re going to let Jane come along?” Eric repeats, as if he can’t believe his own ears.
“And Linda, if she wants to join us.” I declare, closely watching the other man’s reaction. I’ve suspected Linda’s feelings for him before, but until very recently I never considered the possibility that Eric might return her feelings. This will be a good test – if his wolf is truly interested in her, he won’t take kindly to me making this offer.
Even though I was intentionally goading him for a reaction, the force of his reply surprises me. “Absolutely not”
“Excuse me?” Linda growls, not taking kindly to his presumed authority.
“Neither of you have any idea what we’re walking into.” Eric announces sharply. “I don’t mind taking the risk for the pups and Goddess knows I don’t care whether or not you come out the other side in one piece.” He says to me. “But Jane and Linda have no business being there.”
“Yes well Jane is my mate, and it’s my call whether or not she stays.” I remind him. “I’m not going to have her trying to rescue them on her own, hiding all her plans from us and taking wild risks to save the pups behind our backs, and that’s exactly what she’ll do if I forbid it. This situation proves as much.” I explain, gesturing to Linda. “And Linda is an adult, she’s unmated and capable of making her own decisions.”
“Thank you!” Linda interjects, sounding exasperated.
Eric emits a fierce growl, “It’s not safe!”
“I didn’t come here to argue about this, I came so that we could regroup and adjust our plans to include the girls.”I reply coolly. “What did your father say when you spoke to him?”
Eric looks as if he’d like nothing more than to continue arguing about the girls, but he grits his teeth and answers my question. “Ifl had to guess, he didn’t know about the pups yet. He told me he had no son by my name, and that traitors of the Southern Isles had no grounds to speak to anyone in the territory, let alone the king, then he hung up on me.”
While I watch, Linda reaches out and squeezes Eric’s arm in comfort, and his tense shoulders relax slightly. “Did you leave it there?” l question, praying the answer is no.
“No, I called back – three more times. I left messages that l’d seen the error of my ways, that I have proof you’re every bit as corrupt and horrible as he always said you were, and that I’m coming home.I didn’t tell him when or on what ship – but his spies will handle that part of things.” Eric related. “The first test will be whether or not I make it off the boat when we reach the shore. If he doesn’t have me killed, I should be able to travel to his palace unencumbered. Though he might also decide to test me along the way, punish me and make me prove myself to him at the same time, by putting as many obstacles in my path as possible.”
Eric reached for Linda instinctively, but dropped his hand when he realized what he was doing. He wasn’t looking at her, but l am, and I can see her disappointment as clearly as if it was my own. “You see, that’s why we can’t have the girls with us- it’s too dangerous.”
“I don’t see why – the plan was always for you to change ships when we stop to resupply, so that you and l aren’t seen together.” I reason.
“Yes, but you traveling as a single man in disguise is a lot less noticeable than ifyou’ve got two she-wolves with you, especially ones that look like this!” Eric says, pointing at Linda. He has a point. Linda is lovely, and Jane turns heads wherever she goes, they’re far from inconspicuous.
“Look like what?” Linda says indignantly.
“Beautiful” Eric grinds out, as if it should be obvious. “Short of putting bags over their heads, I don’t see how you’re going to get around without them calling attention to you.”
“So we’ll wear bags!” Linda derides, though the corners of her mouth are still quirked up from the compliment. “If Ethan can wear a disguise, so can we – hell, we’re better suited to it than you dummies because we have a lifetime of experience with makeup.”
“Dummies?” Eric and I repeat in unison.
Linda shrugs, “Hey, I call it like l see it. After all, you thought you could run off to rescue the pups by yourself and Jane would actually go along with it.” She says to me, “and you,” she added, turning to Eric. “Just tried to forbid me from doing something when we haven’t so much as k!ssed.”
Something dark and ferocious flashed in Eric’s eyes, and the next thing I knew, he was dragging Linda into his arms, “Well, I can fix that right now.”
Linda yelped as his mouth covered hers, and I decided that this was a conversation we could save for later. Leaving Eric and Linda pawing at each other like frisky teenagers, I return to my cabin, eager to check on Jane. When I arrive, I hear her whimpering before l even open the door, and my wolf immediately goes into high alert.
I burst inside, scanning the suite for signs of danger. However all I find is Jane tossing and turning on the king sized bed, clearly caught in the throws of a nightmare. Dropping my bags onto the floor, I swiftly cross the room and reach for my mate. I should never have left her alone. What was I thinking?
“Jane” I murmur, settling one large hand on her shoulder and gently shaking her, “wake up, baby. It’s only a nightmare.”
It takes a few minutes for me to pull her out of the dream, and once l do she sits up, tears streaming down her cheeks as she searches the room in complete panic.
“Where… the pups… I need –
Catching her face between my hands, I speak in a low, soothing tone. “Janey, it’s okay, it was just a dream. We’re on the boat, we’re going to get them back.
“No!” She cries, shaking her head and begging me to understand. “lt wasn’t just a dream. It felt so real -Paisley almost drowned and then they were in this jungle and there was this snake… and Parker wrestled the thing and there was a landslide, it was horrible!
Wrapping my arms around her small body, I cuddle her close to my chest, purring gently. “No angel, it’s okay. It’s just your mind playing tricks. We’re going to find them, it’s all going to be okay.”
“You don’t know that!” Jane sobs, clinging to me.”
They’re too little, they can’t survive on their own.”
“But they’re not on their own” I remind her, rubbing her back and praying this gamble doesn’t backfire. “They’re too valuable. King Aimon will have them under lock and key. No one is going to let them out of their sight or risk harming them. lt’s me they want, not them.”
“But I don’t want to lose you either!” Jane bursts, surprising me. I expected her to refute my logic, not admit she cares for me.
“You won’t” I promise. “That’s what they want, but I won’t let it happen.”
“You better not” She sniffles, letting me rock her back and forth.
“Never I soothe, lying down beside her. “I will never leave you and the pups, Jane. And there’s not a force on earth that could make me.”
She nods, not going so far as to confess she wants to be my mate again, but not denying the possibility as she might have even a few weeks ago. I know she’s frightened, ill, and dizzy with medications, but my heart swells all the same. I might be crazy, but it truly feels as if there’s hope for us yet.
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 120
Ethan
When 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 l’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?” l 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, l 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 bad enough.”
“How are you feeling? I ask, running my hands over her body and marveling at how perfectly she fits in my arms. Sometimes she feels so fragile compared to my size and strength, but then I remember the wild passion burning inside her, and I know I need not fear harming her. She needs to feel my power and dominance in her very bones, and l’m only too happy to give it.
“Better.” She sighs contentedly. “I don’t know what that medic gave me, but it worked.” The woman in question had returned to give Jane more medicine after I found her in the throes of her nightmares, and had updated the cocktail of drugs after I shared our situation with her. Now in addition to sleeping aids and anti-nausea medications, anti-anxiety drugs and painkillers are also being pumped into Jane’s IV.
We’re not due to make port for a few days and I’d rather have Jane pain-free and a little loopy while we wait, than miserable and spiraling deeper into despair.
Chuckling, I drop a k!ss on her nose. “I think you’re still a little high, beautiful.”
“Um not high” Jane insists, peeking up at me from beneath her lashes, then pressing her nose to my ch3st. “You smell good.”
If I needed more proof that she’s not completely lucid – that was it. Once upon a time my Jane didn’t have any inhibitions when we were together. This would have been completely normal in the early years of our marriage. But Jane is a guarded creature now, with high walls around her heart. The fact that she’s openly sharing her feelings this way – well, it speaks volumes.
“You smell good too.” I share honestly, nuzzling her neck.
“Ethan,” Jane murmurs, rubbing her tight little body over mine and covering me with her scent, “| think…I think- I’m going into heat again.”
“No, it’s just the drugs baby.” ! assure her. It has been a few weeks since her first heat, and when we were married she’d enter heat at least once a month, but if it was happening l’d be able to smell the change come over her.
Jane shakes her head. “I want you.” She insists, “I need to feel you inside me.”
“F**k” I mutter, my c0ck growing hard despite my reticence. “You can’t say things like that, Janey. You’re not in the right mind to make this kind of decision. I don’t want you to hate me in the morning.” I sigh, trying to talk my wolf out of giving into her sweet pleas.
“It’s already morning'” Jane reminds me, k!ssing my ch3st and nibbling her mark.
You know what I mean” I correct gently. “I don’t want to do something we’ll regret.”
“I don’t know about regret” Jane admitted. “But I could never hate you… I’ve tried, don’t you know how hard I’ve tried?” Goddess do lever, I think in exasperation. However, the idea that Jane was trying to convince herself that she didn’t want me all those times she tried to push me away, is one I hadn’t considered before. It makes a lot of sense, in hindsight. I thought she was lying to me, when really she was lying to herself. No wonder she was so hardheaded about it.
“It doesn’t work” Jane continues, straddling my wa!st.
“You’re the only one l want.”
I drop my head back against the pillow in utter defeat.
Now l know she’s high. She’d never like something like that slip sober. “We can’t, Janey! I declare, sitting up and making her look me in the eye. “If you still want me when we get off this boat and the drugs are out of your system, I’ll gladly rut you to your little heart’s content. But not before then.”
“I’m telling you, it’s not the drugs. I’m going into heat.”
Jane argues, twining her arms around my neck and rocking her h!ps against mine. Her sweet l!ps are trailing over my shoulders and up my neck, thoroughly testing my willpower.
“Your scent hasn’t changed.” I inform her gently, “and thank the heavens. I’m not the only Alpha on this ship, this is the last place we want you going into heat.”
Jane slumps over with a huff, stretching out with her back resting on the mattress between my legs. “Fine, I suppose I’ll just have to take care of things myself” Her legs are still splayed on either side of my h!ps, and she’s as n*ked as the day she was born. It’s temptation enough to have her spread out like a feast in front of me, but the moment she slides her fingers down her bare belly to the swollen bundle of nerves at the apex of her thighs, I know I’m fighting a losing battle.
I catch her wrists before she can make contact with her.
S*x and torment me with a live show, pinning her hands above her head, “Oh no you don’t” I scold, rising onto my knees to loom above her. “Am I going to have to tie you up, little wolf?”
To my utter frustration, she flashes me a devious grin,
That depends, what are you going to do with me after?”
Taking a deep breath, I try to count to ten in my head, begging the Goddess for strength. Every bone in my body wants to give in to Jane’s flirting, to fulfill her every desire and release all of the tension pent up inside me. It’s the cruelest kind of punishment: to have been chasing her all this time, and now to have her doing everything she can to sedvce me – not because she’s helpless to resist her heat or we’re trying to comfort each other amidst a tragedy, but because she wants to be with me, and only me.
“I’ll stay with you and keep you company.” I finally answer, “but that’s all.”
Jane furrows her brow. “Ethan, you’ve been pursuing me for months, I know you want this too.”
“I do.’ l admit, shaking my head apologetically, “| want it more than can say, but I have a greater responsibility to look out for you when you can’t look out for yourself.”
“If you were looking out for me, you’d do this.” Jane snaps, tears welling in her eyes. “Everything else is going so wrong, Ethan. I need something to be right. I need to feel like I haven’t lost everything I care about. I need you.” She professes, gazing up at me. “l know you’re angry that I defied you and snuck around behind your back, but please don’t punish me this way. Please don’t reject me now.”
“I’m not doing this to punish you!” l exclaim, “and I’m not rejecting you, just the circumstances.”
“Why are you making such a big deal out of this?” Jane argues, yanking at my hold. “it’s not like we haven’t been together in the last few weeks – the last few days, even.
You’ve already claimed me, held me, loved me. Why is this any different?”
“Because everything is different now!” I finally burst.
Last night I made you a promise – that you could trust me to take care of you.” I share, “l vowed to prove you’d always be safe with me, and I meant it! You might not remember it, but yesterday was the start of a new chapter for us and there’s not a single thing l’d do to risk f****g it up! l’m playing for keeps this time.” I proclaim. “So you can be angry with me all you like, but l’m not going to lay a hand on you until you’re better.”
Her tower l!p trembles, “Can’t we just start our new chapter tomorrow? Can’t we have just one more night of indulging our bad habits?”
Rearranging her wrists so that they’re both safely confined by one of my large hands, I bring the other to her face, dragging my thumb over her plump lower l!p until the trembling ceases. Holding her gaze, I make my decision. “We can’t go backwards, Janey. Only forward – and not just with our relationship, with the pups too. If our family is going to get through this, we can’t play games or place blame anymore. We have to be a united front, okay?”
“Okay.” To my utter relief, Jane nods. However, just as I start to relax, she can’t help but make one final attempt to change my mind. “But only if you give me a k!ss.”
Throwing my head back, I can only laugh. “Jane Blackwell, you’re going to be the death of me.”