Ch. 21..25: The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 21-25
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 21
Jane
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think it was five years ago.
I’m standing in the hallway with tears streaming down my face, feeling every bit as weak and powerless as I did when Ethan and I were married. How does this man always do this to me? Why do I fall for it every time? He wasn’t even sober! I was, and he still got the better of me.
Stars, it makes me so angry. It isn’t fair. It isn’t right that I’m still helpless to resist him after all this time. I’ve been telling my self for years now that I’d be immune to his charms if we ever met again, that I’d learned my lesson the hard way and wouldn’t soon forget it. So much for that.
I’m still wallowing in my self-imposed misery when I hear a chair scrape across the floor on the other side of the door. Smashing the vase must have made too much noise and woken the pups. I know my sons, and I’m certain they’re currently clambering onto the chair to spy on us.
I run off before they can see me crying, darting away down the stairs without a single thought for my ex-husband. It’s only later, after my senses return and logic sinks in, that I realize they’ll have seen Ethan and run for Linda. The knowledge keeps me away from the house for much longer than I would otherwise considered hiding. I can only pray that he’s gone by the time I get home.
As soon as Jane ran away down the stairs, Ryder and Parker yanked the door open and rushed over to Ethan, looking down at him in confusion. The planter Jane smashed over his head lay in shards beneath him, the flowers it once held crumpled and crushed by his big body. His clothes were covered in dirt, still damp from being watered a few hours earlier.
“What happened?” Parker asked his brother, bending over the handsome alpha and studying him intently. “Why’d Mommy do that?”
“I guess she didn’t like the k!ss.” Ryder shrugged forlornly,
“she seemed really sad.”
“I heard her and Auntie Linda talking the other day.” Parker
frowned, “parently Linda thinks Mommy should give Daddy ‘another chance, so we can be one big family.”
“I want that too.” Ryder admitted.
“Uh-huh,” Parker nodded in agreement, “but Mommy was
scared.”
“Of Daddy?” Ryder exclaimed, “Why?”
“I dunno,” Parker shared, “they moved ‘way afore I could
hear more.”
“Poor Mommy.” Ryder reflected softly, “we have ta help her, maybe we can show her she doesn’ need ta be scared.”
“Like she does for us when we have nightmares!” Parker rea soned, getting more excited by the moment.
“Let’s get him ‘nside.” Ryder suggested, brushing some of the dirt from Ethan’s shirt. “Then Mommy will have to take care of him.”
“Good idea!” Parker approved, bending down and taking hold of Ethan’s ankle.
Ryder moved to stand at his brother’s side, taking the Alpha’s other ankle in his small hands. “On three okay?” He instructed, “One, two, three!”
Both boys grunted and strained with all their might, trying to pull the huge alpha into the house. Unfortunately even their bud ding shifter strength couldn’t budge the man, and they gave up with a pair of identical huffs.
“He’s too big!” Parker assessed in disappointment.
“So what’d we do?” Ryder asked.
Parker rubbed his chin thoughtfully, trying to figure out how they could possibly make their plan succeed. After a moment the answer came to him like a lightbulb jolted with electricity, “our skateboards!”
Together they ran back to their temporary room and grabbed their favorite toys, suddenly feeling very thankful they convinced Mommy to let them bring them on the trip. Returning to the hall, they worked together to heft Ethan’s limbs onto the three skate boards, then quietly rolled him into the house and shut the door behind them, completely oblivious to the tracks of mud they were leaving in their wake.
“What now?” Ryder questioned, looking a bit stumped. They hadn’t thought this far ahead.
“He’s really dirty.” Parker observed, crinkling his nose.
“Yeah,” Ryder concurred, “he needs a bath. Mommy hates messes, it’d probably be better if he’s clean when she comes home.
“Good idea.” Parker confirmed, directing Ethan’s body to wards the bathroom.
Unfortunately for the boys, Jane had already thought better of running away and leaving the Alpha knocked out for her spy ing pups to find. Tears banished, she was already on her way back upstairs as the boys rolled Ethan towards Linda’s pristine mat bathroom.
When they heard her footsteps outside the door, Ryder and Parker exchanged a startled glance and dropped the Alpha’s un conscious limbs like a pair of bricks, darting away to their bed room before they could be caught.
When Jane reached the landing she immediately noticed that Ethan was missing, as well as the muddy skateboard tracks leading into the house. “Oh boys.” She sighed, shaking her head. She wasn’t sure if she should be annoyed or proud. She would want any of her pups to help someone in a medical emergency, which they probably imagined this was, but she also thought they should know better than to bring strange men into the house.
When she opened the door she saw Linda standing over Ethan’s prone body with her arms crossed over her chest, looking perplexed. She looked up when Jane entered. “Do I want to know?”
“Probably not.” Jane grumbled, sidestepping the trail of mud her children left behind and moving to stand beside her friend.
“But Lowe you a new plant.”
“Are those skateboards?” Her friend asked, lifting one of Ethan’s arms.
“Yes.” Jane confirmed with a low chuckle, “clearly my boys have been playing ‘search and rescue’.” She raised her voice to wards the bedroom door that she was sure they were listening behind. “And they better be back in bed and sound asleep by now!”
The she-wolves could hear the soft pitter patter of tiny feet as they run back to bed. Once it fell silent, Jane glanced at Linda, “Sorry for the mess.”
“Oh don’t worry about it.” Linda brushed aside her apology, “What are we going to do with him?”
Dropping her head back in exasperation, Jane decided her pups had the right idea. “Let’s get him cleaned up. The sooner we do, the sooner we can get rid of him.”
Together Linda and Jane dragged Ethan the rest of the way into the bathroom, though it was no easy feat to wrangle his body into the bathtub. When Jane begin unbuttoning his shirt, Linda backed away and said, “Alright, you clean the wolf, I’ll clean the floors.”
Jane was about to agree, understanding how awkward it might be for her friend to help bathe her ex-husband – not that she particularly wanted to do it either, but it was her fault he was here. Instead she cursed under her breath as his shirt ripped when she tried to pull it out from under him.
That was when she saw the b***d on his collar. Reaching around the back of his head, she felt a swollen lump where she must have struck him, and when she withdrew her hand, her fin gers were stained crimson. “Or maybe I’ll call the doctor.” Linda amended, looking on in concern.
Jane nodded in agreement, guilt and worry stealing her voice. She finished undressing Ethan, using the detachable shower head to rinse off most of the mud before filling the tub with steaming water. Though she tried to focus on her task and not get distracted, it wasn’t easy.
Ethan had always been too attractive for his own good, and he’d only gotten more handsome with age. Somehow he seemed even more muscular now than he had when they were married, and his bronze skin practically glowed with health. Her eyes kept trailing to the ripping contours of his abs, gradually drifting lower and making her insides turn to jelly.
Needing to protect herself from the sight of his naked body, Jane poured bubble bath into the water, breathing a sigh of relief when his limbs disappeared beneath a thick layer of foam. Turn ing to his wounded head, Jane tried to clean it as gently as she could, but it seemed her best efforts weren’t enough.
Ethan stirred with a g***n, flinching away from her hands. “Shhh,” Jane murmured soothingly, turning his head back into position. The next thing she knew Ethan had latched onto her arm, holding her tightly but not using any true force as muttered incoherently.
“Your okay.” She promised him, trying to pull her hand away.
To her surprise, he held her tighter, actually pulling her to ward him. This time she was able to make out his words just fine. “No, mine.”
Typical Ethan, she thought derisively, he sees something he likes and just decides it belongs to him, even when he’s mostly unconscious.
“Actually, it’s mine.” She informed him coolly, tugging at his hold more forcefully now.
Ethan offered her a sultry growl and tugged back, his im mense strength yanking Jane forward – and right into the bath.
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 22
Jane
Yelping in surprise, I suddenly find myself fully clothed and half submerged in the tub. Ethan’s strong arms are around me for the second time this evening as he cuddles me close, sending all sorts of confusing feelings through my body.
“I thought the idea was to clean things up, not make a bigger mess.” Linda’s amused voice sounded from the doorway.
| glance at Ethan, who is now sound asleep again, clutching me to his chest as if I’m a teddy bear. “Stop teasing and help me!” I hiss at Linda, trying and failing to wriggle free.
It takes both of us to untangle me from Ethan’s arms, with Linda laughing the entire time despite my frequent glares. “The doctor’s on his way.” Linda announced when I’m finally free. “And Ethan could probably use a few items from the penthouse. A change of clothes, toothbrush- that sort of thing. I doubt he’s going to be up to going home tonight.”
“What?” | exclaim. “You’re not suggesting I go there, are you?”
“Jane, either you go there, or his mother or Eve comes here.
It’s the lesser of two evils, babe.”
“We can just buy him new clothes.” I argue.
“In the middle of the night?” Linda reminds me, “besides, someone has to notify them he won’t be coming home tonight, unless you want them to come looking.”
“Fine.” | grumble in frustration. “But I’m not happy about it.”
Arriving at the penthouse is like walking straight into the past. I haven’t been here in years, and I never wanted to return in the first place. Everything looks exactly the same, at least it does until I get into the apartment.
The Doorman buzzed me upstairs just like old times, and Even came to the door with a shocked look on her pretty face. “Elise, what on earth are you doing here?” She questions defensively.
“I’m afraid Ethan’s been hurt.” I explain softly.
“What!?” She cries, pressing her hand to her ch3st.
“He fell and hit his head. The doctor is seeing him now, at my
friend Linda’s, but I need to get him some fresh clothes and toiletries for the meantime.” I sigh.
“What on earth is he doing at Linda’s?” Eve demands, “How did he fall?”
Before I can answer, a dignified woman comes gliding down the hall. She’s beautiful despite her advanced years, and so elegant | ache with envy, but she freezes when she sees me,
“Jane?”
“No,” I deny smoothly, “I’m Elise Carrington, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Petra Blackwell.” She introduces herself, extending her hand. “Forgive me, you look so much like my former daughter-in-law.”
“So I’ve been told.” Pursing my l!ps | gravely continue, “Though I’m afraid I’ve come with some unfortunate news, Ethan likely has a concussion – you see I own La Louve and we were celebrating our new deal when he fell and hit his head.” Lowering my voice to a whisper I add, “he had quite a bit to drink.”
“Oh dear.” Petra frets, anxiously looking around as if needing to make herself useful, “Of course, I’ll put some things together right now.”
As she and Eve disappear down the hallway, I take the opportunity to examine the apartment more thoroughly. For as similar-as it appeared on the outside, it could not be more different within. Like any other home with children, the presence of a pup is immediately apparent. Paisley’s mark is everywhere I look: from the stuffed animals and toys neatly stacked in the corner of the living room, to the emergency medical equipment by the door.
I’m so distracted exploring the familiar yet strange surroundings, that I barely realize I’ve drifted down the hall towards Ethan’s room. It’s not until I hear Eve’s snide voice that I comprehend how far into the house I’ve strayed.
“Elise Carrington my a*s.” She’s telling Petra. “Mark my words, that is Jane.”
“Then why is she pretending to be someone else?” Petra murmurs.
“Why else?” Even hisses,”clearly she wants Ethan back, and clearly this is the only way she can think of to get close to him again.”
“Oh Eve.” Petra replies. “We can’t let that happen.”
“Don’t worry,” the petty she-wolf answers, “We won’t.
Their words transport me straight into the past, recalling memories I’d much rather forget.
Once upon a time Ethan supported me so much that he fought for my right to have a career beyond being an Alpha’s mate. I got my degree, graduated with honors and got hired by a huge multinational corporation.
For five blissful minutes, I had everything I’d ever wanted: my true love, my dream career, and the world as my oyster.
It was over before I even returned from my graduation trip. At the time Eve had called herself my best friend. We hadn’t known each other for very long, but she was so generous that she organized a girl’s trip with my new mother-in-law to celebrate my achievement.
We barely made it outside of the NightFang Pack’s territory before the rogues descended. At the time I didn’t understand why they only attacked Ethan’s mother, Petra. Nor could I figure out why my legs seemed frozen in place every time I tried to rush to her aid.
Not even my voice would work. Every time I opened my mouth to demand the rogues stop or call a warning, no sound came out. I was trapped in my own body, but on the outside I’m sure it looked like I was just standing there watching.
Then Eve leapt forward, attempting to rush past me and jump into the fray. My body came back to life the moment she moved, but instead of shifting to fight by her side, my wolf attacked.
The only explanation I can think of is that I was under some
sort of spell, because though I could see and feel everything that was happening, I was certainly not the one in control. My arms and legs lashed out without my permission, while my fangs and claws tore into my friend without restraint.
I can still taste her b***d, still feel the horror and helplessness of those terrible moments.
I’d never harmed anyone before that day, and it took me
weeks to understand how I came to paralyze Eve’s wolf, leaving her broken and unable to shift – or so she says.
I finally figured out that Eve arranged the entire attack in order to turn Ethan away from me, though even her best-laid plans didn’t go exactly as she’d intended. About a month after the incident, I overheard her on the phone with one of our attackers, squabbling over the fee he was attempting to charge her for the job.
She was furious that Ethan hadn’t divorced me, insisting she shouldn’t have to pay the full amount for subpar results. Back then I was still naive enough to think my discovery would exonerate me… I know better now.
When I tried to tell Ethan, he thought I was making the story up to get myself out of trouble. After all, even if Eve was psychotic enough to orchestrate an attack, that didn’t explain why | turned on her and abandoned Petra.
I should have known there was no fixing the damage my so called friend did that fateful day. Life as I knew it was over the moment we got home. I’ll never forget the way Ethan looked at me when Petra explained what happened.
“Why did you do it?” He’d asked, looming over me while I cowered at his feet.
“I don’t know. I didn’t… it wasn’t… I-.” I collapsed into sobs, unable to explain that which I didn’t yet understand. “I’m sorry!”
The next thing I knew, Ethan’s massive hand was fisted in my hair, pulling me to my feet and yanking my head back so I was forced to face his wrath. “Oh no baby,” he snarled, digging his claws into my waist with his free hand. “You’re not.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but his grip on my hair tightened and I clamped my mouth shut with a whimper. “You’re not sorry yet.” He corrected me harshly, “but you will be, Jane.”
I flinched as his words slammed into me, “Say goodbye to your job. Say goodbye to your freedom. From this moment on, you belong to me.”
For a moment I was confused- I already belonged to him didn’t I? He marked me years ago. As if he could read my thoughts, my husband continued, “you will not do anything without my permission, you will not move or speak, you will not even breathe without my say so!”
Tears poured down my cheeks, but Ethan didn’t seem to care. “Do I make myself clear?”
I nodded feebly, but it wasn’t enough. The imposing Alpha emitted a vicious growl which sliced through my body like a knife. “Yes, sir.”
“Good,” he snapped, releasing me so abruptly I stumbled back a few feet. “Go get undressed and kneel at the foot of my bed – I’ll be there to deal with you shortly.”
“Deal with me?” I squeaked without thinking.
Another thundering growl sent me running towards the bedroom without another word – and our marriage was never the same.
And now Eve is at it again. She’s ruined my life once before, and she clearly has no reservations about doing it again. I don’t stay to listen to her poison Petra against me, I can already imagine what she’ll say.
Instead I slip away back down the hall, returning to wait by the door and telling myself to be patient. We’re only going to be in town for a couple of months. I can hold out that long. Before Eve knows it I’ll be gone – and we can all move on.
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 23
Ryder and Parker had always been talented eavesdroppers.
From before they could remember, grown ups always seemed to be having secret conversations behind closed doors. They never thought they were speaking loudly enough to be overheard – that or they thought the pups could not understand.
But they did hear.
And they did understand.
Now, it wasn’t all grown ups. Their mommy certainly knew better, but Auntie Linda did not. Ryder and Parker listened as the doctor checked over their Daddy, using strange words they did not recognize like concussion and contusion, then saying things that were very clear indeed. Such as, “he mustn’t be moved” and “He’ll need to stay here on bed rest.”
“But his daughter is to have surgery tomorrow.” Linda objected.
“It will have to be postponed.” The doctor assessed simply. “I’m afraid the Alpha won’t be back on his feet for a few days.”
“Yes, Doctor.” Linda agreed grimly.
The boys were both excited and concerned. The idea of finally getting to meet their Daddy was unbelievable enough, but this was even better. They might actually get to spend time with him – live with him. Still, it also meant their newfound sister would have to stay in the hospital even longer, and now she’d be more vulnerable to that terrible lady who tried to poison her than ever.
They had to do something.
The next morning at breakfast they asked their Mommy if they could come with her to pick up Riley and luckily she agreed.
Two hours later the boys stood in a dimly lit hospital room, watching their sisters meet for the first time.
“Riley this is Paisley, Paisley this is Riley.” Parker introduced them.
“See, I always knew I should have a twin!” Riley exclaimed to her brothers.
“We’re all twins,” Ryder corrected her.
“You know what I mean!” Riley exclaims.
“You two can switch places without anyone noticing.” Paisley elaborates, reading her sister’s mind. “
Now Riley and I can do the same!” She frowns, “of course it would be easier if we were all t’gether.”
“Listen, we already have a plan to get Mommy and Daddy back together.” Ryder shares excitedly. “But firt you have to get through surgry.”
“That means staying away from that mean lady.”
Ryder advises. “She was trying to poison you.”
Both boys speak in unison then, “We know it!”
Paisley scrunches up her face, “Eve has always been a witch. And if you want Mommy and Daddy to get back t’gether, we’ll have to seal with her first- she’s wanted to marry him for ages.
Riley, Parker and Ryder were only too pleased to hear their new sister supporting their plans, “How d’we get rid of her?” Riley questions.
“Well,” Paisley muses out loud, “she hates kids. She hates getting dirty and poor people… I think if we’re just loud and messy and all over her..”
“She’ll get really mad.” Ryder surmises, finishing her thought.”
“Exactly.” Paisley agrees, “and we just have to be sure Daddy is there when she does.”
“But how can we make sure we’ll all be together again?” Parker asks, “Mommy clearly doesn’ wanna be around Daddy.”
“If you can handle Mommy,” Paisley suggests. “l can handle Daddy.”
“We can do this.” Riley agrees. “We just have to work together. Deal?”
All four pups glance at one another before nodding in agreement. “Deal.”
Jane
“You can’t hide forever, Janey.” Linda informs me matter-of-factly, her voice sounding distant over the phone.
“Not forever.” I agree, speaking quietly into the receiver and hoping the pups are too distracted to pay attention. “just until he’s gone.”
“Yeah, well the doctor said he could be asleep a couple of days – it’s really hard to tell with head injuries.”
My friend reminds me. It’s been less than twelve hours since the incident – as I’m now calling it – and I’ve done my best to keep myself and the pups out of the house.
Even now, after picking up Riley from the hospital, I’ve taken the kids to get ice cream rather than returning home. I’m currently contemplating staying at a hotel tonight, but when I told Linda she insisted I was being silly.
“or he could wake up before this afternoon.” I argue,
“By the time we’re done running errands he could be gone.”
“I don’t think that’s likely.” Linda drawls, “that was one heavy vase, girl.”
“Yes, and he has one very thick skull.” I counter, ignoring the guilt bubbling up inside me for knocking Ethan out so ruthlessly. It’s a blessing he was so drunk.
I’m sure he remembers nothing of the incident, and even if he does he’s much too proud to admit a tiny she-wolf got the better of him. It will be much easier to simply agree that he fell and hit his head.
“Mommy, can we go home now?” Riley asks, tugging on my skirt. The p0or little thing must be so tired, and I know she hated spending so many nights in the hospital away from me and the boys.
“Hold on one sec, Linda.” I murmur, lowering my cell to address my daughter. “Actually, I think Auntie Linda could use a break from having house quests. How would you all feel about staying in a hotel tonight?” It’s true that Linda could probably use a break. I’ve arranged a rental apartment for the remainder of our stay here, but it won’t be ready for another few days. “We can go to the fancy one by the mall, with the swimming pool and the arcade? You love it there.”
To my shock, all three pups exchange glances before turning back to me with deep frowns. “No!” They exclaim in unison.
Linda snorts in my ear, andI resist the urge to growl at her. “You don’t want to go have a mini vacation?” l ask my children, surprised they would turn down the temptation.
“We wanna go back to Auntie Linda’s.” Parker insists.
“We like it there.” Ryder adds.
“Sides Mommy, I’m too tired to play.” Riley contributes with a pout.
Gr0aning internally, I cave.
“Alright” I sigh in resignation, shifting my cell back into position. “Linda, we’re coming home.”
Ethan
It’s dark when I wake, and I don’t recognize my surroundings. I’m in a small bedroom with drawn curtains, in a house that smells strange yet familiar. I rack my memory for details, but the last thing I remember is being at the bar after receiving the unfortunate DNA results. Getting slowly to my feet, I rub my eyes, and a few fuzzy images flash through my consciousness.
Jane. Or is it, Elise?
Suddenly I know why the house smells familiar.
Linda’s scent is strongest, but Elise Carrington’s perfume and Jane’s sunshine are blended around the edges. I must be in Linda’s house. I do smell pups as well, but their scents are weaker like… Goddess what do I even call this woman? I’m so confused about Elise and Jane that I feel absolutely beside myself – and that isn’t a sensation I’m used to at all.
One thing is clear though, at some point last night I must have sought out the she-wolf responsible for my mixed-up emotions, and when I got here… The same images burst into my mind, of the beautiful blonde wrapped up in my arms, our mouths locked together in a passionate k!ss. But what happened then? I can’t think straight, and it doesn’t help that my head is throbbing with pain.
Raising my hand to the back of my head, I find a huge knot that stings like the devil when I press my fingers to it. The sound of shattering pottery sounds in my ear, and I vaguely remember a vase in Elise’s hand.
My wolf growls as understanding sinks in. Whether she is my Jane or not, Elise Carrington is in big trouble.
She’s in the kitchen when I emerge, the rest of the house quiet as a mouse. A glance at the clock on the mantel tells me it’s past 11 PM, which probably means everyone else is in bed. Perfect.
“Hello Ms. Carrington.” I state gruffly, taking immense pleasure when she leaps into the air in surprise.
“Alpha.” She gasps in shock, pressing her hand to her heart, “You startled me.”
“I can see that.” I proclaim, prowling forward.
Her eyes warily follow my movement, “How are you feeling?”
“Confused.” I admit, rubbing my jaw in thought, “You see, the last thing I remember was a few hours ago. I was at the bar, but now I’ve woken up here.”
“It wasn’t a few hours ago.” She corrects, her little pink tongue darting out to li!ck her l!ps and completely distracting me. “It was last night, you fell and hit your head.”
“I fell?” I repeat, feigning ignorance. The lie gave me the perfect excuse to zone in on my target, so it takes me a moment to process her first words. “Wait a minute – last night?” I glance at the clock again.
“Paisley!”
“Don’t worry,” Elise interrupts my panic, “Her surgery was postponed, until you could be there with her.”
Relief courses through me, “Thank you. I would never have forgiven myself if she had to go through it alone.”
“She wouldn’t have.” Elise answers quickly, clearly not thinking it through first. My head j*rks up at the protective note in her voice, and realizing what she said, the blonde improvises, “someone would have been there for her, I mean. Your mother, or Eve.”
I fight the urge to snort, I can just imagine the kind of care Eve would provide my daughter. Childcare is not exactly her strength. Still, Elise’s slip up makes me wonder. Why was her response about my pup so defensive? Just then the little girl I met in the restaurant comes into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes and wearing the same expression Paisley does when she’s not truly awake. “Mommy, I can’t sleep.”
I return my gaze to Elise, a sense of triumph building in my ch3st. Mommy. Just as I thought. Clearly these aren’t Linda’s pups after all.
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 24
If Elise realizes that her daughter has just revealed her deception, she doesn’t show it. She doesn’t even look at me because her full attention is on her pup. She crosses the kitchen and scoops up the little girl, humming sympathetically. “Poor baby, you’ve had too much excitement this week.”
The child peeks over at me with wide eyes, cuddling closer to her mother but also unflinchingly curious. “Hello there, little one.” | greet her warmly, instinctively stepping closer. “What’s your name?”
Elise’s arms tighten on the girl when I move closer, betraying her maternal instincts even further. “I’m Riley.” The pup yawns, resting her cheek on Jane’s shoulder and watching me intently.
“I’m sorry if your Mommy and I woke you, Riley.” I state honestly, desperately wanting to reach out to the sleepy girl, who reminds me so much of Paisley it hurts. “But I’m happy we got to
meet again.”
Riley frowns, “You hit your head.”
“I did.” I agree, “we were just talking about that.”
“Is it better now?” She asks with obvious concern.
“Yes, thank you.” I smile, giving in and brushing the hair back from her eyes, even as a low growl rumbles in Elise’s chest. I flash a wolfish grin at the protective mother wolf, loving her ferocity even if her concerns are completely ridiculous. How could she think I would be any threat to such an angel.
“You should stay here ‘nyway.” Riley suggests drowsily, her eyes falling shut.
“He can’t stay.” Elise decrees firmly.
“He should.” Riley repeats dreamily.
Ignoring her, Elise carries the pup back to her room, glancing over her shoulder and glowering when she sees me following. My attention is riveted on the child in her arms, if I didn’t know better I’d be absolutely certain it was Paisley. There is no way the two girls are not related; resemblances this similar simply don’t happen by coincidence, especially not when her mother might as well be Jane’s twin, and when her brother’s look so much like me. The boys are tucked in and sleeping soundly in the nursery, their little heads poking out of the covers as their chests rise and
fall in slumber.
I know I’m staring at my pups, and Elise knows it too.
I’m waiting when she returns from settling Riley, leaning against the kitchen counter and sharply monitoring her approach. Now that her pup is resting peacefully, the stunning she-wolf seems far more unsettled than before.
“So Mommy,” I remark dryly, enjoying the way she stiffens
defensively. “They’re not Linda’s pups after all.”
“No.” Elise admits, “They’re mine.”
“And their father?” | prompt,
Her eyes narrow. “He’s not in the picture.”
“Why did you lie?” | interrogate, every predatory bone in my body on high alert. If I’m right and this is my mate in front of me, she has a lot to answer for: Not only did she hide my pups from me and fake her death, she forged DNA results and knocked me out cold when I came to confront her about them.
Yet Elise simply shrugs as if the lie was no big deal, “Technically Linda lied, not me.”
“At your direction.” I bite back.
“You’ve already shown far more interest in me than I’m comfortable with. I didn’t want to give you more leverage.” She an swers coolly, staring me straight in the eye. Interesting, either she’s a better liar than I thought, or she’s telling the truth.
“Strange, I don’t know many mothers who wouldn’t want to
brag about such wonderful kids.” I bait her.
“Then maybe you have met many single mothers who have
something to protect.” Elise snaps back.
“And what exactly are you trying to protect?” | ask, stalking forward and loving the way she squirms when I come near. “Do you believe I’m some sort of threat to you, Ms. Carrington?”
“Of course not.” She drops her gaze, any inclination for truth-telling clearly gone, “but you are an alpha wolf with a dominant streak a mile wide. In my experience your kind don’t take well to the idea of their potential mates having another man’s pups.”
“My kind?” | growl, before her words truly sink in. Of course when they do, my anger spikes. “Are you suggesting I would harm innocent children, simply because they belong to another man?”
“You wouldn’t be the first.” She remarks coldly.
For a moment my outrage swells so powerfully I have to count to ten just to get my temper under control. Once I do, I realize she’s intentionally baiting me, riling me up to distract me from the matter at hand. Clever little mate.
Abruptly changing tracks, I try to catch her as off-guard as she caught me. “Tell me, Elise, are you single by choice?”
Her eyes widen almost imperceptibly. She then turns her back to me, hiding her face even as I can see a flush working up the back of her neck. “I didn’t say that.”
“You said their father isn’t in the picture.” | begin smoothly, dragging my eyes from her throat before I lose control and start kissing it. “And I can’t imagine any man would be foolish enough to leave you.” I’m moving forward despite my attempts at control,
she’s simply too ravishing to resist. Elize trembles as I brush her hair away from her neck, standing so close behind her I can feel her heat. “What’s his name by the way? Maybe I know him?”
She tosses her long hair back into place, glowering at me over her shoulder. “I wasn’t even going to tell you I have kids. You think I’m going to give out names.”
I’m not staring into her pretty green eyes, instead I’m staring at the crescent-shaped scar where her neck meets her shoulder. A mating mark – my mating mark, I’m sure of it. Her perfume clearly hides much more than her omega scent and sunny fragrance, it also hides my own scent marking.
You can divorce me and run to the ends of the earth Janey, I think hungrily, but nothing can erase my mark. Well, nothing but another wolf’s mark on top of it, and Goddess am I glad to see she hasn’t been with anyone else in our years apart.
“Have you noticed how closely our daughters resemble one another?” | question.
“I only saw your daughter for a moment.” Elise deflects, “I didn’t have long enough to make an impression.”
“They were similar enough that I mistook her for Paisley.” | share.
Jane snorts. “That speaks more to your parenting ability than their likeness, no?”
Chuckling deeply, I trace my fingers down her arm, “That’s one explanation.” I agree. “But I have another.”
“I’m sure you do.” Elise concedes, “And I’m sure I don’t want to hear it.”
“Why not?” I demand, “You’re not scared are you?”
Her little body winds up like a spring, and my immediate instinct is to make her unwind the best way I know how: with my hands, mouth and… well, let’s just say it would be a full body workout. But I know this isn’t the time. When she turns back to face me, Elise looks more furious than I’ve ever witnessed. “I am not scared of you, Alpha.” She snarls, “but I am scared of any man who refuses to listen when a woman tries to tell him no, and right now, you’re doing a d*mn good job of pushing my limits.”
“Clever girl.” I praise her, letting my own anger shine through. “You should be afraid, because I don’t take kindly to being lied to.”
Elise defiantly bares her teeth, “If you can prove I’ve lied about other than my pups being Linda’s, I’ll gladly submit to whatever punishment you see fit. But I won’t apologize for protecting my family.”
My eyes flash. She knows I cannot prove that she is Paisley’s mother. She speaks so confidently, as if she knows I attempted to test her DNA and got failed results. Either I remember even less of last night than I realize and let the truth slip, or she knew about the DNA test beforehand. I’m betting on the latter.
“You’ve told so many lies.” | assert, relying on my instincts rather than verifiable fact, “Are you so certain you haven’t slipped up?”
Her eyes widen almost imperceptibly, and the next moment I think she might run. However at the last second she gathers her wits, and plants her hands on her h!ps. “As I said, if you can prove something, go right ahead. Otherwise, leave me alone.”
She watches me closely as I consider my response, her confidence growing every moment that I let pass in silence. Finally she scoffs and turns her back on me, muttering, “That’s what I thought.”
Before she can leave the kitchen, I call after her. Taking advantage of her overconfidence, I use the name I’m now certain belongs to her; the very last name she wants to hear. “Jane!”
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 25
Jane
“Jane!” Ethan’s deep bass echoes in my ears, sending shivers down my spine and making my knees shake. At first I tell myself I only imagined it, but then the palpable silence hanging between us becomes too heavy to deny.
| stop in my tracks, trying to act nonchalant. “Who is Jane?” | ask, not bothering to turn around.
“You’re really going to keep playing this game?” He demands, sounding as angry as I’ve ever heard him.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I insist, digging in my heels.
“Like you don’t know what happened last night?” Ethan drawls, his footsteps drawing nearer.
“I’ve already told you, you fell.” I remind him, determined to stick to my story at all costs. The last thing I need is for him to remember I attacked him. I hadn’t even thought about what I was doing in the moment. It was only after, when I saw his b***d, that | truly processed what I’d done: I attacked the Alpha. Yes he k!ssed me without asking, but I let him. I was k!ssing him back every bit as passionately as he was kissing me and then I turned on him out of nowhere.
I can only imagine what the punishment would be. He certainly wouldn’t turn me over to law enforcement. I’m sure he’d de vise some creative and completely twisted revenge to which he could subject me.
“Bull.” He snaps, refusing my assertion point blank.
“You had a lot to drink.” I argue, hating how hyperaware I am of the man. I know exactly where he stands without looking, and I feel his nearness like a drug. “Not even Alpha’s are immune to drunken accidents.”
“The strange thing is how I happened to fall here, outside your door.” Ethan replies, his hot breath fluttering over my ear.
“Maybe you were stalking me.” | suggest, shifting restlessly from foot to foot.
“No, I seem to remember you being there.” He announces, sending my heart plummeting into my stomach.
No, oh no, he remembers. He knows what I did!
“That doesn’t mean you weren’t stalking me.” I reason, trying to keep my voice steady.
Ethan’s huge, calloused hands land on my wa!st, pinning me to the spot and terrifying me to the core. “What happened last night, Jane?”
“Stop calling me that.” I beg.
“Why?” He growls, “What bothers you about it so much?”
“It isn’t my name.” | lie, “Why wouldn’t it bother me?” | breathe, “And all I know about last night, is what Linda told me. She found you unconscious in her hallway, and called me to fill me in before I got home, that’s all.”
The Alpha’s hands tighten, sending pulses of heat straight to my core. “Then why can I still taste you?” He rumbles.
“Excuse me?!” | exclaim, passing off my shock as indignation.
“You heard me.” Ethan prompts, purring when my shoulder blades brush his muscular ch3st.
“I did.” | confirm, “But I’m giving you the chance to rethink your words.”
“Silly little wolf,” He taunts, “I don’t say anything I don’t mean, haven’t you learned that by now?”
“I’ve asked you once before not to speak to me that way.” | hiss.
“How?” Ethan clarifies, “Affectionately? If my memory is correct then it’s more than appropriate.”
“But it isn’t, correct.” I insist, “I don’t know what you imagined happened last night, but I assure you that you have no right to speak to me that way.”
“You don’t really think I could forget, do you?” He asks huskily, “I held you in my arms less than a day ago, Elise. I’m not going to forget that anytime soon. And I’m not going to rest until you’re back there where you belong.”
“Where I come from, this is called harassment.” | inform him icily.
“Oh?” Ethan replies, “I call it, ‘making things right.”
.” “I think you hit your head even harder than I realized.” | gulp. feeling myself slowly melting in his arms and desperately needing an escape.
“You haven’t seen anything yet.” Ethan promises.
“I’ve seen everything I want to see.” I snap, trying to squirm free of his grip.
Ethan pulls my body flush against his, clamping his hands down and holding me still against him. “Why did you do it?” He asks, his delicious scent enveloping me.
“You’re confused.” | claim, “you’ve mistaken me for someone else. This is your concussion talking.”
“It’s my wolf talking.” Ethan contends, his heated words sending butterflies fluttering through my stomach.
At first I think he’s simply touching me for the hell of it, the same way he half-drowned me in the tub trying to cuddled me. Then I realize he’s not merely pressing me close, he’s very subtly rubbing his body against mine, intentionally covering me with his scent.
“Stop that!” I demand, pushing against him. The nerve! I think in outrage, Sneak scent marking me.
“Stop what?” He smirks.
“You know what you’re doing!” | accuse fiercely, heaving in a few panting breaths. “You need to leave, Ethan.” I finally announce.
“No thank you.” He replies, sidling closer still.
“I wasn’t asking.” | combat. I’ve got to get him out of here.
Every second he stays, the closer I get to having a complete mental breakdown. As strong as I feel when we’re apart, as firm as my resolve may be, when we’re together the entire world seems to turn on its head. I’m no longer powerful and confident and immune to him, I’m weak and vulnerable and at his mercy.
“You’re really going to kick me out after midnight?” He asks, adopting a beleaguered expression.
I don’t give an inch, “You’re a big boy, you’ll manage.”
“But I’m injured.” He attests, making every attempt to appear pitiful and failing abysmally.
Right on cue, Linda walks in from the hall. I wonder how long she’s been up, I wonder how much she overheard.
“Linda!” | cry gratefully, “I’m sorry we woke you, but I was just showing Ethan out.” I look to her for support, but I can tell from the frown on her face that I’m fighting a lost cause.
“Unfortunately, the doctor wanted to see him when he woke.”
She tells me regretfully, “The Alpha can’t go anywhere until he gives the okay.”
“But…” | stammer helplessly. “The pups – his pup. We can’t keep the alpha from his family and his work.”
For once I’m almost certain Ethan will back me up. Not for once, he proves me wrong. “I”m afraid I have to comply with the doctor’s wishes.” He looks to Linda. “I’m sorry for the imposition, but I greatly appreciate your hospitality.”
“Of course, Alpha.” My friend smiles, taking me by surprise. What the hell! He can’t stay here. We can’t all be here together.
“But Linda-” | object, shooting her a pleading glance.
“I’m sorry Elise.” She sighs, “The doctor was very clear.”
“But he’s fine!” | exclaim, gesturing to Ethan.
Before I know what’s happening, Ethan has seized my hand and is now holding it in his own, tracing patterns over my knuckles and pressing his lips to my palm.
“Elise,” My friend croons, “as soon as the doctor clears him, he can go. We’ll call him first thing in the morning.” She promises, leaning close and whispering, “You and the pups can get up early and go to the park, he’ll be gone before you return.”
“I heard that.” Ethan announces smugly, still toying with my hand.
Swatting the infuriating man so he’ll release me, I’m taken aback when he drags me closer, “Behave.” He orders ominously, “don’t you think assaulting the Alpha once is enough?”
I don’t even care that he seems to remember what happened, I’m so infuriated by his behavior that I simply respond out of instinct. “Not if you didn’t learn your lesson.”
Fire sparks in Ethan’s eyes, and my excitement spikes in kind. “Are you admitting that I didn’t fall after all, Elise?”
“Of course not.” I deny, “But I am saying that you could use a few good bonks on the head if you still think this is appropriate.”
Ethan sidles closer, towering over me and adopting a knowing leer. He looks so dangerous in this moment that every omega instinct | possess is begging me to give in. Luckily Linda seems to sense my weak resolve.
“Okay.” My friend interrupts, “Why don’t we all go to bed before we say anything we regret, and we can pick this up in the morning.”
Staring at Ethan, I realize I don’t want to stop fighting. It’s clear he doesn’t either, we’re having too much fun. At the same time, I know every moment we keep this up is a threat to me. I need to be rid of Ethan, sooner rather than later.
“Agreed.” I say, turning towards the bedroom. Ethan never agrees with us, but I feel his eyes on me until I shut the door at my back. I don’t need him to tell me to understand: This is only the beginning.