Ch. 6..10: The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 6-10
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 6
Riley doesn’t own a dress like that, and even if she did, she’s with Linda and her brothers across town. It can only mean one thing.
Paisley.
Paisley is every bit as perfect as I always imagined.
Linda has helped me keep up with everything happening in my daughter’s life over the years, sending plenty of photos illustrating how much she’s grown, but nothing compares to seeing her in the flesh. I can scarcely believe this is real.
Only, Paisley doesn’t look quite like she did in the last pictures I received. She’s pale and thin, her heart condition is clearly costing her dearly, sapping her strength and energy.
My heart aches for my young daughter, and my pain deepens when Paisley gazes up at me with wide eyes, her plump lower l!p quivering. “I can’t find my Daddy.”
Kneeling down to her eye level, I graze my knuckles across her soft cheek. “Don’t worry, little one. We’ll find your Daddy.”
My daughter leans forward and wraps her tiny arms around my neck without hesitation, hugging me tightly. “Thank you!”
My throat feels thick with emotion, and I have to fight to keep tears from my eyes as I return Paisley’s embrace. Lifting the precious bundle off the ground and cuddling her close, I scan the street around us for signs of my ex-husband. Though I fully intend on returning my pup to Ethan, I can’t allow him to see me.
He can’t know I’m alive, and while my custom perfume might hide my scent from everyone else and convince them I’m an alpha, I seriously doubt my former mate will be fooled. After all, he is a true alpha, the most powerful leader the Nightfang pack has seen in generations.
Striding away down the street, I fantasize about running away with my daughter this very moment. If I did, my young family could be reunited within the hour. My other pups don’t even know that they have a sister, and I despise keeping them apart.
Of course, if I took Paisley now then she wouldn’t be able to get her surgery. I might be able to afford the most cutting edge medical care now that my fragrance empire is so successful, but there is only one surgeon in the world who can perform the procedure my daughter requires, and he is firmly in Ethan’s pocket.
“Where did you last see your Daddy?” I ask once Eve’s atelier is out of sight.
Paisley peeks shyly up at me. “In the car.”
“In the car?” I repeat curiously, watching the little girl closely. She’s wearing exactly the same expression my other pups do when they’ve been making mischief. “And how did you get out of the car?”
Offering me an impish grin, she explains, “I couldn’t help it.”
“Couldn’t help what?” I reply, arching my brow and fighting the
urge to smile.
“I was bored!” Paisley bursts. “Daddy left me with Mr. Frank, and he never lets me have any fun.”
Recalling that Frank was Ethan’s personal bodyguard and now probably performs the same role for Paisley, I press, “So where is Mr. Frank now?”
Another mischievous grin, “the car.”
“I see.” I proclaim. If Paisley is anything like her brothers and sister, Frank is probably handcuffed to the steering wheel. “Am I to understand that you snuck away from your minder, young lady?”
“Daddy said we were gonna play in the park.” Paisley answers with a pout, “I just wanted to explore while he finished working.”
“I’m sure it was very boring waiting in the car.” I frown, leveling her with my best ‘stern mom’ look. As thrilled as I am to be holding my baby in my arms at long last, I can’t help but think of what might have happened if I hadn’t come along. “But running off was very dangerous, my love. What if someone bad found you instead of me?”
“But you did find me.” She argues, resting her soft cheek on my shoulder as if the matter has been settled.
“And I hope I always am here to find you.” I murmur. “But there are never any guarantees in life. You have to be safe.”
Despite my cautioning words, my daughter isn’t listening. She’ s too busy snuggling in for a nap, as if she’s as soothed by my
presence as I am overjoyed by hers. Paisley sighs contentedly when she gets comfortable, her sweet breath ruffling my hair. “You smell nice.”
Pressing my l!ps to her temple, I breathe in her pure, fresh scent. “So do you.” I admit, hugging her a little closer.
“I’m hungry.” Paisley announces then, trying to speak through a wide yawn. Poor thing, I think, she’s had so much excitement. Getting lost when she’s already unwell.
“Then we’ll have to find you some lunch.” I decide, moving towards a small cafe off the side street.
A huge stack of syrupy pancakes rallies Paisley’s energy, and soon she’s sitting across from me positively overflowing with excitement. “And another time,” she shares, recalling stories from her young life, “Daddy and I wen’ to the zoo and I pet an ocotopus!”
“That’s wonderful!” | exclaim, chuckling at her mispronunciation. “You must love your Daddy a lot.” I can’t help but pry into her relationship with Ethan. I know I did the right thing leaving Paisley with him, but I can’t rest until I know she’s truly happy.
“Lots and lots!” She agrees, gulping down some juice before looking at me intently. After a moment she c***s her head to the side in the exact same way Riley does when she’s thinking hard about something. “You look like my mommy.”
My heart stops in my chest, how does she know that? “I do?” I feign ignorance, “Where is your mommy?”
I regret the question the moment the words leave my mouth.
Paisley looks so sorrowful I want to kick myself. “I never met her.”
I’m about to apologize, both for my question and her loss, when an idea strikes the pup and she looks up at me in excitement, “Can you be my mommy?! Daddy has lots of money, he’ll give you as much as you want!”
“Sweetheart, money can’t buy everything.” I laugh softly.
“Daddy told me he can buy me anything I want.” Paisley’s brow furrows, “So can’t he buy me a Mommy?”
“You can’t buy people, Paisley.” | explain with a sad smile. “But I promise, you’ll find a Mommy one day.”
I promise. I repeat in my head. I’ll come for you as soon as you’ re well.
For now I need to call Linda so she can take Paisley home. I doubt Ethan will remember my friend, and if I stay with my pup any longer, I’ll never be able to let her go.
–
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–
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Ethan
“Paisley!” Leaping forward and pulling my pup out of the strange woman’s arms, I hug her close. “Where have you been, I’ve been so worried!”
“I’m sorry, Daddy.” Her little voice replies. “I got lost.”
“Thank you so much!” I say to my daughter’s rescuer, doing a
double take when I catch sight of her familiar face. “I’m sorry, have we met?”
“No.” She answers gruffly, nodding towards Paisley. “Is there a reward?”
Growling under my breath, 1 yank my wallet from my back pocket and extract some cash, wanting the coarse woman out of my sight as quickly as possible.
When she’s finally gone, I turn back to Paisley. “Sweetheart you’ve got to stop running away from Frank! It isn’t safe for : you to be in the city on your own.”
“Daddy, I was perfectly safe.” She answers, as if I’m being very silly indeed. “I was with Mommy.”
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 7
Ethan
All the air in my lungs leaves in a great whoosh. “What did you say?”
Paisley looks up at me with wide, green eyes the exact shade of her mother’s. My daughter inherited my bronze skin and dark hair, but she’s Jane’s perfect miniature in every other way. Sometimes the resemblance is so great it actually hurts to look at her. Maybe that’s why I imagined she said she was with her Mommy. I was thinking about Jane, so I conjured the words in my head.
Except when Paisley answers me, she repeats the same impossible phrase. “I met Mommy today. She found me and bought me pancakes. She shrugs innocently. “And then she
gave me to Ms Linda to bring home.”
Linda. I think, the name ringing a bell in the back of my mind. Wasn’t that the name of Jane’s maid of honor at our wedding?
When I don’t answer, Paisley slides her hand into my pocket, retrieving my wallet. She flips the leather pouch open, pointing to the picture in the main photo slot. Jane’s beautiful face smiles up at us from the glossy print, her lush silhouette bathed in a golden halo of sunlight. I didn’t even realize Paisley knew the picture existed. I’ve kept all my surviving photos of Jane hidden since Paisley was a baby, terrified that if she saw them I’d be forced to tell her about her mother’s tragic fate.
“This is my Mommy, isn’t it?” Paisley asks, poliny dl lie picture.
“Yes, angel.” | confirm softly. “That’s your Mommy. But it isn’t possible that you met her today.” I broach carefully, knowing the moment has finally come where I have to tell my pup the terrible truth.
“But I did!” Paisley insists. “This is the lady I met. She was pretty and kind, and she smelled so nice! Like sunshine!”
Freezing in place, I stare down at my pup in shock. It’s not possible… but if she’s seen the photo… if she knows what Jane looks like… And then Linda… Abruptly burying my nose in Paisley’s neck, I inhale deeply, trying to scent every last shifter who’s touched her since we parted. I can smell Linda and Frank, but stronger than either of their aromas is one I do not recognize. At least, I don’t recognize all of it.
Another she-wolf was with my daughter today, and from the smell of it she was quite affectionate with the pup. Moonflowers, jasmine, and there, lingering around the edges – sunshine. Jane always did smell like the bright afternoon sun to me. Is it possible her scent could have changed this much? Is it really possible she’s alive? I never did see her body.
“Sweetheart, where did you meet her?” My wolf is clawing at the surface of my skin, begging to be let out so that he might track down our chosen mate.
“Near auntie Eve’s store.” She sniffs, “She called me her love and carried me ’round so I didn’ have to walk. And even though she said you couldn’t buy her for me, I can tell she wanted to say yes.”
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Choking back a laugh, I stare into Paisley’s sweet little face, “You offered to have me buy her?”
“She said that wasn’t allowed.” Paisley pouts, “But I don’t know why.” My pup looks up at me in confusion, begging me to help her understand. “Daddy, why haven’l met her ’till now?”
I don’t know how to explain this to her. The more Paisley has shared the more convinced I’ve become that she’s right. I can’ t explain the strange electrical current weaving through my body, insisting that Jane isn’t dead after all. Still, that possibility lends more questions than answers. Besides, what if I’m wrong? After all, it’s not like I’m impartial. I want Jane to be alive more than I want to breathe.
“Mommy and I got separated a few years ago.” I finally answer, deciding this is the safest answer.
“Is Mommy playing hide ‘n’ seek with you?” Paisley asks, “Like how you and me play?”
I smile, cupping my pup’s small head in my palm. “Yes, little one. That’s exactly right.” This is one statement I have no problem agreeing with: If Jane is out there somewhere she has absolutely been hiding from me.
“Are you going to find her?” Paisley inquires, looking hopeful.
“You have my word, Paisley.” I vow, “If Mommy is out there, nothing in this world will stop me from finding her.”
Paisley and I start our search outside Eve’s atelier. I’m still not
certain the woman she met was Jane, but I can’t risk assuming she’s wrong. I would never forgive myself if Paisley’s mother was out there and I didn’t do everything in my power to reunite our family.
The same scent I caught on my pup flutters around the boutique’s entrance, and when we step inside it grows stronger still. Belatedly I realize that if Jane was in Eve’s shop, then my old friend would probably have seen her.
.
Striding up to the counter, I greet the receptionist warmly. “Good morning, is Eve in her office?”
The she-wolf fawns and blushes, “Of course, Alpha. I’ll let her know you’re on your way up.”
Eve
When my receptionist informs me that Ethan is headed for my office, excitement washes over me. He’s been paying more attention to me lately, so much so that I’m sure I’m finally winning him over. It’s taken far too long for him to get over Jane, and this visit is surely a leap forward. He’s actually taken time out of all his important business to come see me!
Unfortunately I smell the brat the moment the elevator dings outside my office, and then I hear her infuriating little voice as the Alpha approaches my door. Why in the Goddess’s name did he bring her? I’ve never understood why he likes the runt in the first place, she’s weak and useless like her mother.
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Still, I plaster a smile on my face when they enter, greeting them warmly. “Ethan!” | exclaim, k!ssing him on both cheeks, I was just about to call you. I’m going shopping to decide on our new signature perfume line this afternoon – you have to come with me!”
“I’m sorry Eve, I’m a bit busy at the moment.” He brushes me off easily. “I wanted to ask you about the clients you saw yesterday. Was there anyone who reminded you of Jane?”
Ice freezes in my veins, how does he know? “I’m sure I would know,” I lie, “I’ve been so busy trying to launch the campaign that I’ve scarcely been in the shop.” Stroking my hand down his chest, I try again. “I could really use your opinion today, Ethan.”
“I can’t, Eve.” Ethan says again. “I have more important things on my mind.”
“We’re looking for my Mommy.” Paisley pipes up. I swear the pup is the bane of my existence. If Jane was going to die she could at least have had the decency to take the brat with her.
“Your mommy?” | repeat, incredulous. “Who looks for someone they’re neve going to find?”
Rage flashes across the Alpha’s face, and I realize my mistake. “What did you just say?” He snarls.
“I’m sorry, Ethan.” I breathe, lowering my eyes submissively. Of course, when I drop my gaze it lands squarely on the pup, who looks so smug I could vomit. Then and there I realize I’ll never win Ethan so long as the brat is in the picture. One way or another – I’m going to have to get rid of her, and soon.
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 8
Jane
“She was so perfect.” I m0an, taking a sip of wine while Linda listens sympathetically. “I wanted to run away with her then and there.”
“It’s a good thing you didn’t.” My friend advises. We’re out on her front porch, enjoying a late afternoon cocktail and discussing the shocking events of the day. “It was risky enough just spending time with her. If you took her, Ethan would hunt you to the ends of the earth.”
“I’m going to have to figure out a way to take her eventually. She belongs with me, with her siblings.” | insist, feeling positively overwhelmed after everything that’s happened over the last few days.
“We’ll figure it out.” Linda assures me. “For now we should just be thankful he didn’t figure out you’re alive.”
“What if he did?” I ask anxiously.
“Honey, you have to trust the death certificate the coroner forged for us was enough.” Linda reminds me, “We covered our bases. You’re safe.”
“There’s no such thing as safe when it comes to alphas.” I remind her. “That kind of power … it knows no limits. Besides, it’s not only that, it’s Paisley… she knew what I look like, she told me I look like her Mommy.” As much as hearing the precious creature say those words tugged at my heartstrings,
I’m terrified of her repeating the sentiment to her father. “How do we know she didn’t tell Ethan what she suspected?”
As the mother of three young pups, I know better than anyone how children tend to parrot everything they hear. The last thing one should ever do is assume kids aren’t listening or capable of understanding conversations – especially my children, who are much too smart for their own goods.
“If she told him about you, he would already be banging on our door.” Linda replies, trying to comfort me. “I’m sure he doesn’t know.”
Instead of soothing me, her words evoke a thousand terrible possibilities. The image of Ethan crashing into Linda’s home in a fit of rage melds with my nightmarish memories, resurrecting ghosts of the life I left behind. That same fate would await me if Ethan ever found out l’m alive. I can’t go back to being a slave, a tool for some power-hungry alpha to use and abuse like I mean nothing at all.
Tears well in my eyes, “He can’t find out, Linda. He’ll take my babies, he’ll make me his property again.”
“Jane, listen to me.” My friend insists. “You aren’t the same woman you were back then. You are so much more than you ever were or wanted to be. Ethan only has power over you if you give it to him.”
Swiping tears from my cheeks, I nod in agreement. It’s just in time. At that moment my driver pulls up, delivering my pups from the daycare center I booked for our time in the city. The back door of the sleek SUV opens, and one by one my pups are released from their car seats, running towards me with open arms.
“Hello my babies!” I cry, hugging Ryder, Parker and Riley as close as possible and showering them with k!sses. “Oh, I missed you so much! How was your day?”
As predicted, my young pups pick up on my distress immediately, each child trying their best to soothe my overwrought nerves. Parker climbs into my lap and begins singing a silly song he made up with his teacher today, spouting lyrics about a “frog on a log in a bog, who went for a jog but got lost in the smog and then met a hog – who was completely agog.”
Meanwhile Riley spins around on the porch, performing effortless pirouettes and leaps to her brother’s tune, “Mommy look at me!” Clearly her ballet classes are paying off, though | imagine her dance instructor wouldn’t approve of the ribbets and oinks she’s incorporating into the otherwise graceful routine.
My other son, Ryder, is busy conducting them both, standing in the middle of the porch steps and waving his hands like a composer. Every now and then he calls out an instruction to his siblings, encouraging them to give their best performance.
If they were anyone else’s children I would assume they planned this, but my pups are so precocious I have no doubt they’re improvising. Before long Linda and I have collapsed in a puddle of laughter, the pups climbing on top of us in a giggling dog pile. I squeeze them tightly, silently thanking the Goddess for bringing them into my life.
In these moments I can almost forget my young family is incomplete. Ryder, Parker and Riley give me more joy than ! ever dreamed was possible. They’re the greatest gift I’ve ever received and if it weren’t for Paisley’s absence, I’d have
everything my heart desired. Of course today was a stark reminder that one piece of my heart is still missing, and I’m more determined than ever to get it back.
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Ethan
The glass cases lining the bakery window overflow with delectable pastries, each one making my mouth water. A cursive gold “D” has been painted onto the triangles of chocolate sticking out of every dessert, the trademark flourish of Cafe Dulce.
Jane and I used to come here every weekend, ordering strong coffees and incredible sweets. I still come whenever I can, but I never bring anyone with me – not even Paisley. In my mind this is Jane’s special place, and I can’t bear the idea of bringing anyone else here. It’s almost as if I think making new memories here might erase those of her, as silly as that is.
As I look past the display case to the inside counter, I’m certain I see my beautiful mate. She’s tiny and slender, with long blonde hair cascading down her back. Surging toward the glass doors, I charge inside just as she slips out the back, evading me so perfectly I’m almost impressed. Almost, because I’d much rather have her in my arms than chase her to the ends of the earth.
I can’t deny how strongly the she-wolf resembled Jane, and there – it’s the same scent Paisley was covered with when she came home yesterday. Maybe my daughter was right after all. Maybe her mother has been out there all this time, staying
hidden from view but watching over us every step of the way.
The question remains as to why?
Why would she hide this way? Why would she fake her death? And most baffling of all, how could she leave Paisley?
Running out the back door, I search the street for signs of the blonde woman, but she’s already gone. I try to follow her scent, but it disappears at the end of the street. She must have gotten in a car. Turning back to the cafe, I march up to the counter and demand to speak with the manager. A portlý wolf appears a moment later, “Alpha, what can I help you with today?
“I want to see your surveillance footage from the last few days.” I demand, turning to the waitress who served the mysterious blonde, “And I need you to tell me about the woman who was just in here.”
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 9
While we wait for the security footage to load, the waitress recounts her transaction with Jane’s lookalike. “She was beautiful, and very friendly. I wish all customers were like her.” She gushes, “She bought a box of cookies and asked if she could use the service exit, because she parked in the side street. The young woman glances back and forth between her manager and me, uncertainty painting her features. “Was that wrong?”
“No, you didn’t do anything wrong.” I assure her, trying to keep my voice gentle even though her decision has actually inconvenienced me greatly. If only she’d said no! The blonde would have been forced to walk out the front, right past me. “Have you ever seen her before?”
Unfortunately the waitress is too young to have been working here when Jane and I were married, but maybe she’s seen her on other occasions. “I’m sorry, no.” She replies. “I think she was from out of town.”
“Why do you say that?” I question sharply.
“Well, she said she loves our pastries but she never gets to eat them anymore because she moved away.” The waitress explains.
“Can you tell me anything else about her?” I implore, keeping my fingers crossed that she’ll remember some small clue to the woman’s identity.
“Well, I can tell you she has money.” She answers, “Her clothes were designer and the perfume she was wearing costs
thousands of dollars.”
I leap at the detail, “What was the perfume brand?”
“La louve.” The young woman flushes, “I’ve been saving up for a bottle for months. I think it was the signature line.”
“Thank you.” I breathe, turning my attention to the security tape. We all watch with bated breath, but the grainy footage doesn’t reveal any helpful hints. In addition to the oversized sunglasses obscuring the woman’s features, she kept her face. averted from the cameras the entire time she was in the store. It’s almost like she did it on purpose.
Sighing in disappointment, I return home without ordering anything for myself. The mysterious woman stole my appetite completely, and now my only thought is of my one-time bride. When I get back to my penthouse, I head straight for my closet, reaching up to the high shelves above the clothing racks and extracting a worn shoe box. Opening it, I sort through a stack of well-loved photos until I land on a landscape shot of our wedding party.
There, standing beside Jane in a bridesmaid’s gown, is the woman who brought Paisley home after she ran away from Frank: Linda.
Linda
When I hear a knock on my office door, the last person | expect to find waiting on the other side is the Alpha. Nonetheless, there Ethan stands, a neutral expression on his
handsome face. Blinking in surprise, I choke, “Alpha, to what do I owe the honor?”
“Hello Linda.” He greets me coolly. “I came to thank you for bringing Paisley home safely.”
“Oh, of course.” I smile, trying to hide my unease. That can’t be the only reason he’s here, I’m only thankful he chose to come to my work, instead of my home. The entire house smells like Jane and the pups at this point.
“I also have to ask,” the Alpha continues shrewdly, “Why did * you say we’d never met?”
Shrugging uncomfortably, I say, “You clearly didn’t remember me, I didn’t want to make things awkward.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t remember you.” Ethan frowns, “I should have – you were Jane’s best friend after all.”
“That’s okay.” I flush, desperate for the imposing wolf to stop looking at me like I’m a puzzle he’s determined to solve.
“You’ve done well for yourself.” He compliments, gesturing around at my law firm. “Though I wonder – why did a high price lawyer need a reward for returning a lost child? It’s not like you’re hard up for money.”
Because you were looking at me much too closely and I wanted you to stop. I think dryly. “You know what they say about lawyers.” I quip, chuckling softly. “We’re a greedy bunch.”
Ethan nods, nonchalantly scanning the titles on my bookshelf. “And the woman who actually found Paisley?”
I freeze. Oh no, oh no, oh no. “What do you mean?”
The Alpha’s eyes narrow, pinning me in place. “Paisley told me another woman found her near Eve’s shop, but she asked you to bring her home instead.”
“Oh!” I offer him a wide smile, an inspired thought striking me just in time. “You mean Isabel. You remember Isabel – she was one of Jane’s bridesmaids.” I remind him, describing another one of our friends. Like Jane, Isabel is a small blonde who moved away for work a few years ago. “She’s in town on business and had to get to a meeting, so she asked me to bring Paisley home instead.”
“I see.” Ethan nods, looking unconvinced. “It must be hard for you to think about Jane.”
He looks so sad when he says her name, triggering a deep pang in my chest. “Not at all. Jane is-” Damn it! I catch myself just in time. I came this close to saying Jane is doing well. Instead I dab at my eyes, pretending to be caught up in emotion. “She wasn’t the type of person who would want her friends to go on mourning her forever. I know she’d want me to be happy, so I focus on the good memories – not the bad.”
Ethan looks disappointed, and sweet relief washes over me. I usher him out of my office before I can slip up again, returning to my work and trying to figure out how on earth I’m going to tell my friend about my near slip up.
Jane
I know something is wrong the moment Linda walks in the door. Her expression is tense and her shoulders rigid, she looks as if she’s had a terrible day. “Hey, are you okay?” I ask, setting down the knife I’m currently using to chop vegetables, “Did something happen on your case?”
“No.” Linda sighs, striding into the kitchen and heading straight for the uncorked bottle of wine on the counter. “The case is fine.”
“Then what’s wrong?” I press, genuine concern lacing my voice.
“Ethan came to see me today.” She murmurs, so quietly I can scarcely hear her.
“What!?” | exclaim, my pulse beginning to race.
“It’s okay.” She raises a placating hand, wat least, I think it is. He asked me why I pretended not to know him and wanted to know about the woman who found Paisley, but I lied and said it was Isabel. I think he believed me.”
“You think?” I repeat, fear holding me completely hostage.
“I admit I’m not certain, but he seemed convinced and he left without any argument.” My friend assures me. “But Jane…”
“What?” | prompt, trying to remember how to breathe. My wolf is in a frenzy, positively trembling with fear.
“He seemed different.” Linda shares, “He looked like he was really suffering, like he was desperate for you to be alive. It truly seemed like he cared about you… I think maybe he’s changed.”
The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 10
Where fear consumed me moments before, now anger floods my senses. Linda and I never fight, but I can’t believe her
audacity. She knows better than anyone what Ethan put me through, and now it seems like she’s forgetting it, simply because he put on a good show as the grieving widower.
“Linda, if he’s sad I’m gone, it’s for one reason and one reason only.” | snap, “Because he misses having a personal s*x toy.. He misses having a mindless omega whose body he can control, who can’t deny him even if they wanted to.”
I open my mouth to continue, but Linda holds up a staying hand. “Please hear me out, Jane. If not for you, then for the other pups.” She beseeches, sounding truly distressed. “You haven’t been here. You haven’t seen him with Paisley. He’s such a good father.”
“So what!” I demand hotly.
“So,” Linda replies, dragging out the word pointedly. “Children need a father. The boys need a male role model and Riley needs a man in her life to help her build healthy expectations
for a mate.”
“Linda,” I growl, “I’ve been both mother and father to my pups this far and I’ve done a damned good job. I don’t care if you don’t think I’m enough for them, because I know I am.”
“That isn’t what I meant!” Linda insists. “I know what a good job you’ve done, and I know you’ll provide those kids with everything they need in life. I just think that if there’s a chance for you to be a family again… it’s worth trying.”
“We already are a family.” I remind her coldly.
“I know, I just can’t bear to see you suffer.” She confesses, “you two were so in love when you got married. I want you to be happy again, Jane.”
“I appreciate that.” | sigh, “I know you want the best for me, Linda. But please trust me, I only thought we were in love. Ethan showed his true colors long ago, and there isn’t any chance that I might find happiness with him again. When it comes to Alphas and omegas, there is only pain.”
3rd Person
“Ethan please, you can’t let them do this!” Eve begged, her whiney voice grating at Ethan’s nerves. “I didn’t know about the toxins!”
The Alpha had to fight the impulse to roll his eyes. The very last thing he wanted to be doing at this moment is babysitting Eve. He had plenty of sympathy for her when everything went wrong with Jane, but over the years she’d only gotten more entitled and less trustworthy – so much so that he’d begun to doubt what truly happened all those years ago.
Besides, Ethan had much more important things on his mind. Despite Linda’s best efforts, he was certain she wasn’t being completely honest with him. Her anemic explanations for her strange behavior when she brought Paisley home were far from convincing, and she was much too nervous when he brought up Jane. The she-wolf was on edge throughout the
rest of their conversation and practically shoved him out the door at the earliest opportunity.
However instead of investigating these events further, Ethan was stuck in Eve’s atelier listening to her complain about accidentally poisoning dozens of women with her fraudulent perfume.
“It’s not just about the aconite, Eve.” He rumbled sternly, “It was fraud whether you knew it would harm your customers or not! As far as I’m concerned, the board is right to be considering your removal.”
After the boutique’s receptionist learned of the counterfeit products and had them removed from the shop, she immediately called the business’s governing board. Within hours, the body held an emergency meeting with its most prominent shareholders, with most members advocating to replace Eve as CEO. Ethan would have been in attendance himself if Paisley hadn’t gone missing, and now Eve was under the mistaken impression that his presence might have saved her.
“That isn’t fair!” Eve whimpered, “I only did it to help the shop make more money. La Louve is so unbelievably expensive, I thought that if we could come up with a cheaper substitute, we could increase our profit margins.”
“Whose profit margins?” He demanded, “based on the two sets of books you’ve been keeping, you didn’t plan on including the shareholders on the returns of your deceitful little investment.”
“Ethan, no…you can’t believe I would do such a thing!” She cried, “1.”
“Wait a minute,” Ethan interrupted, replaying her previous words in his head. “Did you say La Louve?”
Eve sniffed, “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Just answer the question, Eve.” The alpha commanded.
“Yes.” She squeaked, “The perfume line is owned by La Louve.”
It was all too much of a coincidence. That was the fragrance brand the woman in the bakery was wearing, the same scent that was in the Atelier where Paisley insisted she saw Jane… Ethan was so caught up thinking about the connection, he almost didn’t realize Eve was talking again.
“You know how much this company means to me! I would never… you’re the one who gave me the start-up loan.” She m****d, “I love you so much, I would never dishonor you that way.”
“Actions speak louder than words.” He remarked harshly, “and right now, yours seem to be saying quite the opposite. Make no mistake, there will be a full investigation into this matter, and if the board decides to appoint a new CEO, I won’t do a damned thing to stop them.” Turning away from the mewling woman, Ethan left her with one final piece of advice. “You made this mess, Eve. Now you clean it up!”
How could he speak to me that way? Eve thought once the
alpha departed. How could he be so cruel? Doesn’t he know I’ll do anything to be with him?
She knew she’d lost too much money over the last few years, that’s why she came up with the perfume plan in the first place. It’s true that she pocketed most of the profits, but sales
had been up ever since they brought the luxury brand into the store, so what if she skimmed a little off the top?
Eve had to do something. She had to find a way to convince the board to keep her in place as CEO. A niggling thought rose in the back of her mind. Pulling out her phone, Eve dialed Elise Carrington. She still wasn’t convinced the woman was not Jane, but she did offer to let Eve sell her genuine products in the store. Eve needed a win right now, and as much as she hated the idea, a lucrative deal with La Louve was the best option she had.
“Are you happy baby girl?” Ethan asks, grinning down at Paisley.
“Yes Daddy!” Paisley giggles, “Thank you so much for bringing me.” Paisley has been asking Ethan to take her to the mall for ages. Her favorite cartoon series just released a full length movie, and she has been dreaming about seeing it for months.
They’re just about to walk into the theater, when something catches Paisley’s eye.
Across the courtyard she sees a girl in a pretty pink dress, and when she turns towards Paisley, they are feeling like looking in the mirror. They have the same dark hair and green eyes. They even have the same freckle at the corner of the mouth!
“Daddy, look!” Paisley begs, tugging on his sleeve, “That girl looks just like me!”