Ch. 51..55: The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 51-55

The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 51

Jane

“I agree.” Ethan answers promptly, completely stunning me. “She does belong with you and you should have custody.”

“What?” I ask uncertainly, not believing my ears.

“I will gladly give you custody.” Ethan vows, prowling closer. “If you come home where you belong.”

Realizing he wants me to come back and live with him again, I ball my hands into fists, “I don’t belong with you.”

“You do.” He proclaims, “You and the other pups. I don’t want our family to be divided.”

“No.” I counter instantly. “I want Paisley, I want to take her back to the Dark Moon pack so I can finally move forward with my life. It’s been on hold for too long as it is.”

“You want to take her from me?” Ethan demands, understanding clicking in his mind. “From the only home she’s ever known?”

“My life is in the Dark Moon territory.” I answer with a shrug.

Watching me closely, his dark eyes widen. “This was your plan from the beginning wasn’t it?”

“You didn’t really think I’d give her up for good did you?” | scoff, glaring at the horrified wolf. “Leaving her with you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life – ten times harder than actually birthing her.”

“Why did you leave her that way?” He questions, “If it was that difficult, if you’re so determined for her to be with you, why did you walk away?”

“Because she would have died without your money and influence, Ethan!” I snarl, “I didn’t have a choice.”

“You had a choice!” He bites back, “You could have stayed – you didn’t have to leave her without a mother when she needed one most.”

“Yes I did!” | exclaim, feeling tears burn in my eyes, “I couldn’t become your slave again Ethan, and that’s exactly what would have happened. I couldn’t be a mother to any of them if I was locked away in your bedroom, servicing you like you’re the bloody king of the hill!”

“How can you think that? I would never do such a thing to the mother of my children!” Ethan claims, making me want to positively scream. He still doesn’t seem to think there’s anything wrong with what he did to me, as if becoming a slave was somehow better than going to jail. He still doesn’t seem to understand how deeply he hurt me, and in this moment, want nothing more than to make him feel even a fraction of the pain he caused me.

“You’re wrong about two things.” | announce coldly, “first you would have, because if you can do it once you can do it again. And second, they aren’t your children.”

He blinks, “What are you talking about.”

“The pups aren’t yours.” I declare, rolling with my lie now that it’s out there.

His face twists up in utter disbelief. “Jane, the boys look exactly like me.”

“You’re seeing what you want to – sure they have your coloring, but so do a lot of people.” My mind scrambles, trying to keep up with my mouth and come up with a rational explanation for how the kids could belong to anyone else.

“You gave birth only seven months after we divorced.” Ethan presses, clearly not believing me.

“Multiples are never carried to term.” | state simply, “that’s why Paisley was so small.”

Ethan crosses his arms over his chest. “Alright, let’s say that I believe you.” He suggests skeptically. “If they’re not mine then whose are they?”

“Eric’s.” | throw out, hoping that I can convince my friend to go along with the story. Luckily the two men do have the same general coloring. In fact, other than Eric’s blue eyes, he really could pass as the pups’ father. He’s even been mistaken as their father a few times in the Dark Moon territory.

“You didn’t even meet Eric until after you moved away!” Ethan reminds me.

“That’s where you’re wrong.” I argue, feeling a bit dizzy now. The more lies I spin the more I feel as though I’m unraveling. One or two untruths are manageable, but if I continue this way I’m quickly going to weave a web too complex to ever keep up with. “He does business here occasionally. We met towards the end of our marriage and… it just happened. I believed you were having an affair, so I had one too.”

“The kids call him uncle.” Ethan rumbles, making my frustration grow. This would be a lot easier if he wasn’t so quick witted.

“It was only a one-night stand at the time.” | state, wrapping my arms around myself protectively as Ethan moves closer still. “I called him when I found out I was pregnant, but he agreed he’d only be as involved as I wanted. I refused to tie myself to another man ever again, so we decided together that I would have sole custody. We didn’t reconnect until after they were born.”

“I would have known if you cheated on me, Jane.” Ethan informs me gruffly. “Whether you believe me or not, and regardless of the mistakes I may have made, you were the most important thing in the world to me. I would have known you’d been with someone else.”

“It was one time.” I repeat, digging in my heels. “You might think you’re too smart or attentive to notice, but you also thought I wasn’t f*****g miserable being your slave. You’re not infallible – no matter how highly you think of yourself.”

“That’s not the only reason why your story doesn’t hold up, little wolf.” He reasons, pacing back and forth in front of me. Despite his words, my story is clearly getting to him. “No alpha would agree to give up his children that easily, let alone allow one to be raised by another man.”

“Not every alpha is as controlling as you are!” | accuse, and at least this much is true. Eric might be dominant and bossy like most alpha wolves, but he doesn’t hold a candle to

Ethan. Of course, he doesn’t have a pack to lead either. “Some men are capable of actually respecting a woman’s wishes. He didn’t need to claim me or the pups to feel powerful, he was happy to simply be in our lives at all.”

“And Paisley?” Ethan presses, “He wasn’t bothered to let me keep her?”

“He didn’t have any more choice in the matter than I did.” I explain, “he wasn’t as wealthy then as he is now, and he still doesn’t have your connections.

“If you don’t want to tie yourself to anyone again, why are you marrying him?” Ethan questions then, towering over me. Shivering reflexively, I try to catch up with his train of thought. Does this mean he believes me about the pups? Is he just trying to throw me off? Studying him closely, I realize it’s neither, the possessive jerk just doesn’t like knowing I’m with anyone else. He still thinks of me as his property, even after all this time.

“That’s how I felt at the time.” I amend, “not anymore. It has taken the better part of four years to build enough trust between us to reach this place. It wasn’t easy for him to undo the damage you did, but over time I’ve come to feel safe enough with him to take this step.” Of all the lies I’ve told this evening, this one is the biggest. The damage Ethan inflicted on my heart is still very much in place, and I don’t think it will ever be repaired.

“No, I don’t believe you.” Ethan shakes his head, “I don’t believe they’re his.”

“That’s your problem.” I insist stubbornly. “It’s the truth and I’m not going to stay here and keep arguing about it. You need to accept the fact that you don’t have any claim on Pais ley or the others.” As reckless as it had been to tell Ethan any of this, suddenly I’m realizing it might be the one way to keep us out of court. If I can make him believe he doesn’t have a legal claim on the kids, he might agree to keep everything between us.

Ethan is staring at me as if he doesn’t recognize me, and I try my best to remain calm under his scrutiny. My heart is pounding so hard in my chest I feel certain he can hear it. After weeks of stress, it feels like everything that’s happened since I returned to this damned city has come down to this moment. Despite my worst fears, I survived Ethan finding out I’m alive. I survived him learning about the other pups and we got Paisley through her surgery. The only thing between me and the future I’ve been dreaming about since I first learned I was pregnant is the man in front of me, and I can barely breathe waiting to find out if I’ve convinced him..,

After a few long moments of contemplation, his deep voice lands like a hammer, and my heart stops completely. “I want a paternity test.”

 

The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 52

Ethan

I don’t care what Jane says, I know the pups are mine. She can lie until she’s blue in the face, but she won’t convince me that she cheated on me with Eric. I know my ex-wife better than anyone else in the world and no matter how miserable she may have been, she wouldn’t have broken her vows.

“Fine.” Jane snaps, not even pausing to think about my request. Shocked, I narrow my eyes at her. She sounds completely confident and unconcerned at the prospect of having a paternity test conducted. In fact, she seems actually eager to get it done. “When do you want to do it?”

For the first time, a seed of doubt settles in my stomach, making my insides churn and roil with unease. “You’ll do it?” | ask dumbly.

“Yes.” Jane confirms simply. “I’ll gladly give you a paternity test and when it comes back negative, I’m taking my daughter.”

Two things occur to me at once, first that she’s already forged one DNA test, so she might simply be bluffing and assuming she can pull the same trick here. However the second is that if she really is telling the truth, or if she somehow succeeds in faking a second test, she really will take Paisley from me. The idea of losing my daughter doesn’t just make me feel nauseous, it stills the breath right out of my lungs.

Whether or not she’s my b***d, I’ve raised her from the day she was born. She is my daughter in every way that matters, and she’s Jane’s own creation, a living embodiment of the woman I love. Biology aside, Paisley is my everything.

“You can’t take Paisley.” I say in a voice like gravel. “I’m the only parent she’s ever known and she is the only reason I sur vived losing you.”

“You lost me long before I faked my death, Ethan.” Jane professes somberly, “you lost me the day you chose Eve over me.”

“I did no such thing!” | object ferociously.

“Of course you did!”. She exclaims, “You believed her lies, you let her schemes convince you I was a monster!”

I can’t stop myself from reaching out and taking hold of Jane’s shoulders. This is the first time I’ve heard her suggest things might have happened differently than I’ve always been told. Until I heard her say this, I never realized how badly | wanted another explanation. I never wanted to believe Jane had done what Mom and Eve said, but she never gave me any other choice. “Are you saying you didn’t attack her?”

She sort of deflates, staring at the ground even as I duck my head to try and hold her gaze. “No.” Jane murmurs after a moment. “I did. It happened exactly the way she always said.”

“Then how was it a scheme, baby?” | prompt, “what did you mean when you said that?”

Jane looks back up at me with wide eyes, exactly the same way she’d looked at me that horrible day when I ordered her to tell me why she’d wanted to hurt Mom and Eve. It had been nearly impossible to hold onto my anger then, and now her helplessness tugs at my heartstrings more than ever. “I can’t!” She finally bursts out. “I can’t talk about it.”

“Why not?” I urge.

“I just can’t.” She sighs, burying her face in her hands, “It’s like I’m wearing an invisible gag tying my tongue into knots every time I try to explain. I never defended myself because I couldn’t.”

“Okay,” I murmur, pulling her into my arms and feeling shocked when she actually lets me, “It’s okay.” Rubbing her back, I explain. “I never understood that attack – not why the rogues went after Mom but not you and Eve, or why you tried to stop Eve from helping her. Now that we know what Eve is capable of… it seems much likelier that she planned the whole thing to break us up. Do you think she found some way to spellbind you?”

Jane nods softly, melting further into my embrace and sending a tidal wave of guilt washing over me. The realization that I punished Jane so ruthlessly for a crime she didn’t commit slams into me like a speeding train, and suddenly I can’t really blame her for hating me so much.

Jane mutters something against my chest, and when I pull away there are tears in her eyes. “Whether or not I could speak, I deserved the benefit of the doubt, Ethan. I was your wife. You betrayed me, you betrayed our vows by believing! was capable of such a thing.”

“I’m sorry.” I tell her honestly. “Truly, Jane – but please, don’t punish me by taking Paisley.”

“It’s not a punishment.” She responds, swiping at her cheeks. “It’s simply the way things are meant to be. She isn’t yours, and while I appreciate everything you’ve done for her, meant what I said. I won’t have her be raised by someone who thought enslaving her mother was an appropriate punishment. Even if I was guilty, what you did was unforgivable.”

“Jane, I made a mistake!” I begin, knowing my actions were indefensible but unable to take them back.

“No, you made a million mistakes!” Jane responds, “You didn’t just do it once, you made the decision to treat me that way every single day for more than a year, and you never even seemed to notice what it was doing to me! You were actually surprised when I finally left you.”

“I thought you had accepted the punishment because you felt guilty for your actions!” | share, feeling my leash on my temper slip away a little more with every word. “If you were that unhappy, why did you stay as long as you did?”

“I didn’t know I could leave!” Jane hisses, “I didn’t know it was legal for an omega to request a divorce until Linda was in law school and found the law in one of her textbooks.”

Breathing heavily, I rack my brain for some way to convince Jane not to do this. If there really is a chance that Paisley isn’t mine, it’s becoming painfully obvious that Jane won’t hesitate to take her away. When this conversation began, I thought she was angry with me. Certainly she was furious about what happened between Paisley and Eve, but I assumed the same emotion was motivating everything. I assumed she was angry about the past and taking it out on me. Now I’m beginning to suspect a very different feeling is actually driving her.

“You’re afraid of me.” I say, speaking the words even as | realize the truth.

“Of course I’m afraid of you, ‘Ethan!” Jane replies, staring at me as if I’m the biggest fool on the planet. “You broke my heart, you stole my freedom!”

As strange as it seems, hearing her confirm this actually gives me a fraction of hope. After all, she wouldn’t be so afraid unless I still had the power to hurt her. A few minutes ago she was coming to pieces in my arms, and if I hadn’t stopped kissing her to ask why she left, we’d probably be in bed right now. This wasn’t even the first time she slipped up.

Jane is clearly still attracted to me, even though she’s engaged to another man. In fact, the more time we spend together, the more she softens. When we first ran into each other er she wasn’t even willing to let Paisley get near her, but in a matter of weeks she’s come full circle and admitted she’s her mother.

Just as I’m thinking it may have been a mistake to trade working with her for a few dates, a new idea strikes me, one that would give me plenty of chances to break down the walls Jane has built around herself. Maybe the solution to our custody problem isn’t a paternity test or any legal battle, but simply more time.

“I’m sorry, Jane. That’s never what I wanted but I know that doesn’t make it okay. I can see how wrong I’ve been, so I’ll make you another deal.” I offer, taking her hand and trying to look contrite. “I’ll let you take Paisley with you when you leave after the fragrance launch.” Her eyes widen almost imperceptibly, and I can feel her pulse racing beneath my fingertips. “But I think we need to give Paisley time to adjust before we turn her life completely upside down.”

“Okay?” She says, nervously l!cking her l!ps.

“Move in with me, you and the other pups.” I suggest. “Live here with us so Paisley can get used to her new way of life. Let her get to know her siblings and come to terms with the idea of leaving, so there can be a smooth transition – for all of us.”

Jane stares at me, her l!ps still swollen from our k!sses and parted in surprise. Of course, I have no intention of letting Paisley go at the end of the agreement. If a few stolen moments are enough to get Jane to forget herself enough to nearly sleep with me, a few months should be plenty of time to win her back. “Well, what do you say?”

 

The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 53

3rd Person

Jane couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She never imagined that Ethan would concede defeat at all, let alone without a lengthy battle. Now he was offering to just give her Paisley, but the idea of living with Ethan again was too overwhelming to contemplate – if she could even trust that he would keep his word.

“Why should I believe you’d actually let her go?” Jane asked suspiciously.

“Because I want what’s best for her.” He stated gently, “And I’m man enough to admit when I’ve made a mistake.”

Jane eyed him skeptically. Ethan had changed course so suddenly she felt as if she had emotional whiplash. This day had been a complete roller coaster from start to finish, and she didn’t know how to deal with the alpha’s sudden about-face. At the same time, she’d never dreamed he would apologize for what happened between them. He actually looked truly remorseful, as if he was finally realizing just how badly he hurt her.

It didn’t excuse his actions in any way shape or form, but she did believe it would bother him. He had loved her once, after all. At least, she thought he had. When they were young Ethan had been sweet and attentive, everything she had ever wanted in a man. Of course, that was a very long time ago. “I don’t believe you.” She said, not wanting him to see how conflicted she felt.

“Jane listen,” Ethan sighed heavily, searching his ex-wife’s

face, “Did becoming a parent change you?”

“Of course it did.” She agreed easily, becoming a parent had been like being reborn herself. Life started over completely the moment she first held her pups in her arms, and it would never be the same again.

“Well it changed me too.” Ethan professed. “I would do anything for Paisley… and if anyone did to her what I did to you…” He trailed off, looking pained, “I think maybe you’re right. I shouldn’t be the one to raise her.”

“Alright,” Jane murmured hesitantly. He looked so sincere that she actually felt tempted to trust him. This was so unlike the Ethan she knew, and it was completely throwing her off. She needed to get away from him and clear her head, she couldn’t think straight with his damnable scent filling her head, or the feeling of his dark eyes piercing straight through her. “I’ll think about it.”

“You will?” Ethan repeated, squeezing her shoulders.

“If-” Jane qualified, shaking him off. “you put it in writing.”

“Of course I will.” Ethan vowed. As he led Jane to the door, he tried not to let his excitement show. He knew if he pushed too hard, she’d never agree – and she had to agree. If his plan worked, it wouldn’t even matter whether their deal was on paper or not, Jane would be his long before the deadline arrived.

When Jane got home she called Eric and Linda for an emergency debrief. The kinds were still sulking after their collective meltdown, and though she checked on them after sending Sadie home, they weren’t ready to talk yet. It was for

the best, as much as she adored her pups, her current problems couldn’t be solved with k!sses and cuddles – she needed advice in a big way.

“Hello Gorgeous,” Eric greeted her a little while later, k!ssing her on the cheek as he swept into the apartment. Linda had already arrived and was currently pouring a bottle of wine into three very large glasses.

“Hey!” Jane greeted the handsome alpha. “Thanks for coming.”

“Sure thing,” He replied, brushing off her needless gratitude. “What’s up?”

“Well,” Jane dragged the word out nervously, wringing her hands. “I sort of did something a little crazy, and I’m hoping you won’t hate me.”

“I could never hate you.” Eric assured her.

“Yeah?” Jane confirmed with a small smile, “how do you feel about having four kids?”

Eric glanced curiously at Linda, who offered him a confused look. “I’m not following you.” He admitted, looking back to Jane.

“I kind of told Ethan my pups are yours.” Jane confessed, blushing scarlet. “I accidentally admitted that Paisley is my daughter and that I made up the Elise Carrington identity… so to make up for it I said the kids weren’t his: that you and I met and had a one night stand before Ethan and I got divorced, and that it’s taken us until now to get engaged because I have trust issues.”

Eric couldn’t help but grin, “So not all a lie then?”

“No, I guess not.” Jane grinned sheepishly.

“Well,” He said brightly, “We were already faking an engagement, so this isn’t that much crazier.”

Jane g*****d, “Oh Goddess, you’re right. This is crazy isn’t it?”

“That’s not how I meant it, honey.” Eric promised, patting her back and letting his big hand linger on her shoulder.

“He’s right.” Linda contributed, joining them in the living room and offering them each a glass of wine. “This entire situation has been wild from the beginning. Don’t think of it as you being crazy – just think of it as making the best of a crazy situation.”

“Well, speaking of crazy,” Jane continued, “That’s not all that happened. I told Ethan I wanted custody of Paisley, and he figured out that Eve tricked him about the attack and apparently felt so guilt about it that he actually offered to let me have her – if the pups and I move in with him to help her acclimate.”

“Holy crap.” Linda gasped, taking a big gulp of wine.

“That’s out of the question.” Ethan’s response was so sudden and visceral both women were taken aback. “He wouldn’t truly give her up that easily – no matter how guilty he feels. It’s got to be a trick.”

“I don’t know.” Jane thought aloud, “I had the same instinct, but he seemed really sincere.”

“Maybe he was sincerely guilty, but that doesn’t mean his offer was genuine.” Eric cautioned, “trust me, I know how alpha males think and I saw the way he was looking at you the other day. This is probably just a ruse to win you back somehow.”

“At the same time, it probably would be good for Paisley.” Linda added, unable to look Eric in the eye. She hated to disagree with him, but she also couldn’t help but think Ethan had a point. “You’re talking about uprooting her from everything she’s ever known and she absolutely worships Ethan. Living with you and getting to know her siblings before she loses him isn’t a bad idea.”

“That’s not the question.” Eric argues harshly, making Lin da flinch. “The question is whether or not he actually intends to give you Paisley.”

“He’s right.” Jane agrees, looking back and forth between her friends as if wishing one of them could simply make the decision for her. “What am I going to do?”

Little did she know that her pups were on the other side of their bedroom door, asking themselves the very same question.

“Did you hear that?” Riley whispered with excitement, “We might get to go live with Daddy ‘n’ Paisley!”

“Yeah but Mommy doesn’ seem too sure.” Parker frowned.

“We can suede her!” Ryder suggested, “we just have to think of a way to make her wanna move in.”

“But how?” Parker pondered, listening at the keyhole for another long stretch of the grown up’s conversation. “Uncle Eric seems grumpy.”

“He likes Mommy.” Riley informed the boys confidently, “Course he’s not gonna want her to go.”

“What was that word Mommy used about Paisley?” Ryder asked, “Custardy?”

“Something like that.” Parker confirmed. “But I don’ know what it means.”

“It doesn’ sound good either way.” Riley decided. “Other wise she wouldn’ be talking ’bout taking Paisley.”

“She can’t take her, we’re s’posed to all be together.” Parker objected.

“I know, I know.” Riley confirmed, “so how can we make it happen?”

“Maybe Mommy would wanna move if the new ‘partment was really icky.” Ryder brainstormed, “like so icky it couldn’ be cleaned.”

“That’s an idea.” Parker nodded, “you know Mommy hates messes.”

“But what kind of mess is big enough to make her wanna leave completely?” Riley asked her brothers, “It’d have to be really bad.”

The three pups put their little heads together and thought hard, their young faces scrunching up in thought while the adults continued to talk in the living room. After a few minutes of thinking, Riley’s face lit up with excitement. “I know someting that would make Mommy wanna get out ‘a here real fast!”

“What?” Her brothers asked eagerly, bouncing up and down beside her.

“Parker,” the little girl prompted slyly, “Do you still know where Mommy keeps the ‘mergency credit card?”

“Uh-huh,” He confirmed, “but what are we gonna use it for?”

“Well, ya know that time we were in the train station, and Mommy saw a rat?” The pup asked.

“She screamed really loud.” Ryder giggled, remember the scene very clearly.

“I bet we can order some pet ones online!” Parker exclaimed, “if Mommy saw a rat in the house she’d freak out.”

“Exactly!” Riley grinned deviously.

Ryder nodded firmly. “I’ll get the computer, you get the credit card.”

 

The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 54

Jane

I don’t know what I’m going to do about Ethan. The idea of finally having my family together is incredible, but the idea of living with him again is only too daunting. Eric is completely against the idea, and spent most of the night trying to talk me out of it, however Linda seemed unusually supportive of the scheme.

Of course there are three opinions I don’t need to bother asking. I know my pups would be beyond thrilled to live as one big family with Paisley and Ethan. That’s actually what worries me most – I can easily see the logic in helping Paisley adjust to the change in circumstances, but what happens when my other pups become attached to Ethan? How are they going to handle losing their father after only just finding him?

I don’t even know if his offer is real. I want to believe he really feels guilty for the terrible wrongs he committed in the past, but would that remorse be enough to make him let go of his only daughter? What if he’s having a paternity test conducted at this very moment? My friend at the lab is on the look out for any samples from Ethan and Paisley, but that’s no guarantee. All my lies are coming back to haunt me, and I’m beginning to worry I won’t be able to keep up much longer.

When my phone rings the morning after Ethan and I had our reckoning, I’m not surprised to see his name flashing across the screen. I answer with slight hesitation, “Hello?”

“Good morning Janey.” His warm voice sends a shiver down my spine as I remember the way he touched me last

night, at how easily I unraveled in his arms.

“Hello Ethan.” I greet him, making my voice as even as possible. Assuming he’s reaching out about his proposal, I offer, “I haven’t made a decision about moving in yet I need more time.”

“That’s not why I’m calling.” Ethan answers, surprising me. “I wanted to touch base about our next date.”

“What?” I reply blankly, not processing his words.

“Our next date are you free tonight?” He presses.

“That’s still happening?” I utter in surprise.

“You didn’t think our deal would change just because you came clean did you, little wolf?” He purrs, sounding every bit the predator.

“I… I guess I didn’t think about it.” I answer honestly.

“Well, the deal is still on sweetheart.” He informs me, “So are you free?”

“I – yes.” I admit, too taken aback to come up with an excuse at the moment. “But I don’t have a sitter lined up.”

“I do, why don’t you bring the kids here and leave them with my sitter. It seems silly for us to have two anyway and this way Paisley can start getting to know her siblings better.” Ethan proposes.

“O-okay.” I agree, once again finding myself tongue-tied.

“Great, come round about five o’clock, and then we’ll be off.” He instructs, sounding much too pleased with himself.

When we hang up, I lower my face into my hands and try to figure out what on earth is happening in my brain. No sooner have I emitted a drawn-out m0an of frustration, that a small voice sounds near my h!p. “Mommy what’s wrong?”

Raising myself off the counter, I look down to find Ryder standing beside me looking concerned. Kneeling down to his level, I pull the sweet pup into my arms and squeeze him tightly. “Nothing a hug from my Ryder can’t solve.” I tell him honestly. Having the little bundle of love in my arms makes all my stress fade away – for the moment at least.

“Mommy, are you being honest?” He asks in the same tone I often use on my mischievous pack, when I’m certain they’ve been up to something naughty.

“Yes my darling.” I laugh softly, “where are Parker and Ri ley.”

“Still napping.” He answers with a yawn, cuddling closer.

Lifting him into my arms, I emit a dramatic gr0an, “Oh my goodness, you’re getting too big for this.” Settling on the couch, we wait until the others are awake, enjoying some rare one-on-one time together. When his siblings finally emerge, bleary eyed and stretching their limbs, they happily clamber onto the sofa with us. I’ve always felt a slight pang sharing affection with them when Paisley is so far away, but for the first time in a long time that pang is smaller and less severe. Maybe because the day when our family will finally be whole again is in sight at last.

“Guess what you three, you get to see Paisley tonight.” | tell them, chuckling when they all cheer. “The Alpha is taking me out, so you four will get to hang out with a babysitter.”

Their excitement is temporarily put on hold as curiosity takes over. “Where’s he taking you, Mommy?” Riley asks.

Sighing nervously, I admit. “I have no idea.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I gripe, climbing out of the back of Ethan’s chauffeured town car.

He closes the door behind me, guiding me forward with an arm around my waist, “What do you think?”

“I… is it safe?” I ask, eyeing the huge red aircraft in front of us. In truth I’m excited beyond belief, I’ve always dreamed of going on a hot air balloon, but it’s also much too romantic for me to feel comfortable being alone with Ethan. The oversized wicker basket was already stocked with a bottle of champagne and a picnic basket full of goodies, and the inflated nylon envelope looked ready to take off at any moment.

“Of course,” He grins, “I checked the weather three times, we’ve got clear skies ahead and all signs point to a beautiful sunset.”

“A sunset hot air balloon ride.” I whisper softly. “If I didn’t know any better I’d think you were trying to seduce me, Alpha.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them– far more flirtatious than I intended them to sound.

He chuckles darkly, “Then it’s a good thing you know better.” He teases, pulling me forward. “After all it would be much harder to succeed if you saw it coming.”

“Ha ha.” I jibe, letting him lift me into the basket, “I’ll remind you one of our rules about these dates was ‘no funny up and leaning away from the flaming heat of his mouth. “It’s just that I’d rather do something I enjoy if I’m already going to be losing the time.”

“Don’t worry, little wolf.” He teases, “I’m not going to go and start thinking you actually enjoy my company.” Reaching up, he adds a bit more propane to the balloon, carrying us higher into the stratosphere. Extending my hand, my fingers whisk through a fluffy white cloud on our right. Ethan’s grip on my waist tightens protectively, but he doesn’t try to stop.

Soon I’m beaming like a pup in a candy shop. “This is incredible.” I revel, not wanting to praise Ethan, but unable to contain my amazement either.

“Do you recognize that?” Ethan murmurs in reply, nodding towards a nearby ridge. Following the direction of his gaze, my eyes soon land on a gleaming stone circle overlooking the valley below. It’s the only corner of the mountain not totally covered by dense alpine forest, and it’s a place I remember only too well.

“Of course I do.” I whisper, feeling suddenly as though I’m falling, rather than flying. “It’s the temple where we got married.”

 

 

The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 55

9 Years Earlier

“I don’t care, I don’t care if they approve or not!” Ethan was pacing back and forth through Jane’s tiny bedroom like a tiger in a cage, his huge hands balled into fists.

“It’s okay, Ethan.” Jane assured him in a soft voice, looking on from her seat on the edge of the bed. “I always knew it would turn out this way.”

Ethan pulled up short, looking at her in surprise and disbelief, “What are you talking about?”

She shrugged, squirming slightly under his dominant gaze, “I mean, you’re next in line to be Alpha, and I’m… well, me!” She gestured to their meager surroundings. She and her mother were poor as church mice, while Ethan’s family lived in the most expensive mansion in the territory. “Omegas don’t marry alphas, and they certainly don’t marry the Alpha.”

Ethan stormed across the small space, kneeling down in front of her. They’d never spoken about marriage, and now that he thought about it, he realized they’d never spoken about the future at all. Every time he tried Jane changed the subject, and now he knew why. She had apparently picked up on what he had not: that while his parents might not mind them dating when they were teenagers, they would never agree to a more serious commitment.

It wasn’t until Ethan had gone to his father the day after Jane’s Eighteenth birthday, asking for his blessing to propose, that he found out just how opposed his family was to their relationship. In hindsight, he now realized all their attempts to introduce him to alpha females like Eve hadn’t just been networking, but schemes to turn his head from the little omega he’d been obsessed with for the last three years.

Hearing his parents talk about Jane made their attachment sound like something dirty and wrong, something they’d probably been whispering about behind closed doors since the first day he brought her home. They’d even accused her of only being with him for his money.

He’d never been more furious, at least he hadn’t until he realized that it wasn’t only his family who believed he would simply toss Jane aside like a used toothpick when he was done with her, but Jane herself.

“What is the number one rule of pack status, Jane?” He demanded fiercely, catching her face between his hands.

“Alpha’s are assholes, betas are bastards and omegas are obviously the best?” Jane joked, quoting a familiar saying omega children learned on the playground.

“No one tells the Alpha what to do.” Ethan corrected her, the corner of his mouth twitching upward, “And that includes who to love.”

“But you aren’t the Alpha yet.” She reminded him with a sad smile, repeating the phrase she often used when Ethan’s bossiness got out of control. However this time instead of a saucy challenge, the words were spoken as a simple truth. “We don’t really have a choice here. Just go marry one of those beautiful socialites they’ve been waving under your nose, and leave me to my lot. I’m not made to be a Luna, I’m made to bow and scrape and submit.”

She reached up and wrapped her hands around Ethan’s

wrists, her slender fingers unable to fully circle the powerful limbs. “Your parents are probably right, Ethan. The sooner we end this, the better… it’ll only be more drawn out and painful if we keep going. You’ll see – you’ll forget me before you know it.” And I’ll pine away for you for the rest of my life, she added in her head.

This was the wrong thing to say. There were very few things that could make Ethan’s temper completely snap, and insults against his chosen mate were at the top of the list – even if she was the one saying them. “Don’t you dare talk about yourself that way. I could never, never forget you, Jane. I don’t want anyone else, and I never will.”

Jane flinched at his harsh tone, tucking her proverbial tail between her legs. “I’m sorry, I just don’t see another solution. Unless you want to keep me as a mistress.” She hated the idea, but she knew it was the only possible way they could stay together and Goddess help her, she loved Ethan too much to be prideful about her position.

Ethan released her so abruptly she almost fell forward, and when she looked up he was all the way across the room, his eyes glowing with rage and his muscles straining to contain his wolf. Realizing her mistake, Jane rose to her feet, but froze in place when Ethan growled. When he spoke, his voice was more animal than man, “Don’t, if you come near me right now, I’ll mark you.”

“You will?” Jane gulped, more intrigued than frightened.

“Janey, you can’t look at me that way.” Ethan g*****d. “This isn’t how I want to do it.”

Her heart was pounding against her ribs, electricity sizzling through her veins, “How do you want to do it?”

Hesitantly moving towards him, her body quickly becoming overcome with desire, Jane still yelped when Ethan lashed out, pulling her body flush against him. Panting with anticipation, Jane wondered if he would finally claim her the way she’ d been begging him to for more than a year now. Remaining a virgin when Ethan was constantly getting her all hot and bothered, giving her every other pleasure and showing her hints of the rapture that awaited them, was almost torture. She’d never understood why he always stopped them from going all the way, especially when he clearly loved exploring and indulging her body. Now she was beginning to suspect that he wanted it as badly as she did, but he knew if they took that step he’d lose control

Spinning her around and trapping Jane’s hands so she could not touch him and tempt him further, Ethan confirmed her suspicions. “On our wedding night, once I’m completely buried inside you and you’re screaming my name.” He rumbled, nibbling the spot where her neck met her shoulder – the spot he desperately wanted to mark.

Jane whimpered with need, and Ethan offered her a sympathetic purr, “I know, baby.” His tongue worked over the same spot, “But if you want it you have to marry me first.”

“That’s not fair.” She whined, “we can’t get married.”

“Yes we can.” Ethan answered huskily, grinding his hardness against her backside, “you just have to say yes. We can go tonight, if we elope there’s not a d*mn thing my parents can do about it.”

Jane let her head fall back against his shoulder, giving his mouth a broader canvass to k!ss, l!ck and n!p. “You’re not serious ous.”

Ethan’s l!ps abruptly left her skin, and Jane’s eyes snapped open as she was spun to face the imposing alpha. “I’ ve never been more serious about anything in my entire life.” He insisted, “Marry me, Jane. We can go to the temple in Luneste. By this time tomorrow we could be husband and wife.”

“The pack will never accept me.” Jane deflected, wanting to agree so badly it hurt, but trying to hang onto reality for the both of them.

“They will if I tell them to.” Ethan declared, finally releasing Jane’s captive hands, and encouraging her to wrap her arms. around him. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know you’re afraid, but you’re capable of so much more than you give yourself credit, baby.”

“Are you sure about this?” She asked anxiously, gnawing on her lower l!p.

“Yes.” He vowed, hope welling inside him as Jane softened to the idea. K!ssing her deeply, he asked one more time against her swollen l!ps. “Marry me, say yes – I promise you won’t regret it.”

Jane offered him an incandescent smile, looking so stun ning Ethan couldn’t resist k!ssing her again before she replied. “Yes.” Jane agreed when they parted. “I’ll marry you.”

That night they snuck out of the city under the cloak of darkness, driving away from the capital and traveling high into the mountains to the fabled temple of the Moon Goddess, where a priestess bound their hands with a ribbon of moonlight, and led them through their vows. They stood at the center of the stone circle beneath the stars and promised to love and honor each other in sickness and health, in good times and bad, and to never forsake their sacred vows.

When the ceremony was complete, the Priestess left them to consummate their marriage on that sacred plane, and Ethan finally claimed his bride the way he’d been dreaming about for so long. To Jane it all felt like a dream, a fantasy that was simply too good to be true. She never imagined she’d actually get to marry Ethan, let alone bear his mark. They stopped three times on the way home to make love again, but every time they were in the car she kept the passenger visor lowered so she could see Ethan’s mark in the mirror.

It was the absolute best night of her life, and it was only just beginning.