Ch. 66..70: The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 66-70

The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 66

Jane

A week later I still haven’t been able to bring myself to tell Ethan about the police suspecting me for his Mother’s murder. I keep telling myself that it’s simply too much stress for him at an already difficult time, but I think there’s also a small part of me that’s afraid he won’t believe me. The detective’s words have been playing on loop in my mind, and I have to admit his story sounds compelling.

We’re finally returning to the apartment today, assured by the crime scene cleanup team that it’s now spotless and we would never know such a horrible thing happened there. Still, I don’t think l’ll ever be able to erase the image from my mind, nor do I think Ethan will.

The kids are the least bothered by all of this, but then again they don’t know Petra was murdered, they simply know she’s gone.

So when we return to the Penthouse, the kids run in almost instantly, rushing off to their rooms while Ethan and I stand frozen in the doorway, haunted by the last occasion we stood in this place. To their credit, the crime scene team had been true to their Word. There’s not even the slightest hint that anything happened, no lingering scent of death or items out of place – it’s exactly as was before the murder.

“Are you alright?” I ask Ethan, squeezing his arms.

His handsome face is hard as steel, his jaw clenched so tight l can see it twitch. “I’m not sure I can stay in this apartment now.”

“There’s always my rat breeding farm.”l offer. He hooks his arm around my neck and pulls me in, droppinga k!ss on my temple with a chuckle. “Thank you, but I’ll give it a few days and see how I feel.”

“No one would blame you if you wanted to move.” I tell him, pulling out of his hold. “But they also tell you not to make any major life decisions for like 6 months after a loss like this.”

He’s already reaching for me again, “Does that include custody decisions?”

“We made that decision before this happened.”I remind him gently, though in truth I’m beginning to feel increasingly guilty about taking Paisley from Ethan when he’s just lost his mother. Slipping out of his reach, I add.

“And now that we’re home I think we need to re-establish some boundaries.”

Throughout our week at the hotel we’d been very affectionate – which l allowed only because there was nothing s****| about it. It was pure tenderness and Ethan dearly needed it, in fact I’ve woken every morning this week with both Ethan and our pups in my bed, even on the nights I went to sleep completely alone. “Including with the pups.” I add. “I don’t mind co-sleeping every now and then but it took me ages to get Ryder, Parker and Riley sleeping independently, and I don’t want to backtrack now.”

“l agree.” Ethan said, surprising me. However when I turn to look at him he’s eyeing me like l’m a particularly juicy steak. “I’d love to sleep with just you.”

“That isn’t what I meant and you know it.”I laugh

“Yes, but I’m very vulnerable right now.” He teases, “| might not sleep at all if l don’t have something soft to cuddle, and then the pack will pay the price: Without a strong leader the city will fall to ruin, crime will break out in the provinces – chaos will reign.”

“Oh, you poor, poor apex predator.” | quip, dancing away from him as he continues to stalk me through the apartment, “in that case we’ll see if Paisley will lend you one of her teddies.”

“But teddies aren’t warm or sweet-smelling the way a lovely little wolf is.” Ethan protests, smiling for the first time all week.

“Fine.”I sigh, finally stopping long enough to let him catch me. “You win.”

Ethan c***s his head, as if he doesn’t believe his ears. “Really?” He asks suspiciously.

“of course,” I press my palms to his chest, looking up at him as he towers over me. “We’ll put Paisley in with the teddy.”

Ethan throws his head back and laughs, calling after me as I cart my bags to my bedroom. “Spoilsport!”

I had every last intention of keeping my word, gently cajoling the pups to sleep in their own beds now that we were back home and telling them if they felt lonely to make a puppy pile amongst themselves, then retreating to my own room and closing the door behind me.

However hours later, when it was no longer night but the early hours of the morning, I woke and realized there was still a light on outside my door.

Pulling on a robe, I padded into the living room and found Ethan sitting up in the dim lamplight, staring at a photo album filled with images of his childhood. Petra was prominent in many of the photos, and my heart softened towards him even knowing what I slippery slope l was on.

Crossing the cold floor, I reach out my hand to Ethan, who didn’t seem to realize I was there until he sees it in front of his face. He looks up at me with red-rimmed eyes. “Come on.”l encourage. “Bed.”

I led him to his room and crawled into bed beside him, fully intending to go back to my own room once he was asleep. However the next thing I know it’s morning, and I’m waking up sprawled over Ethan’s ch3st, with his arms locked around my body. I try to pull free of him, but his hold only tightens and I decide to give in and stay – just this once.

“l swear, I’ve been waiting for the detective to reappear all week long.” I tell Eric a few hours later. We’re meeting for coffee, reconnecting for the first time since the murder. I know he’s probably anxious to find out if I’ve thought any more about dating him, but the moment we sit down, I couldn’t help but spill the developments I’ve been hiding from Ethan. “I feel more and more nervous every minute. It’s a huge relief to finally be able to talk about this with someone.”

“I can imagine.” He sympathizes, “What makes you so sure it’s Eve framing you?”

“Well of course it’s Eve.”I respond, “I mean who else could it be?”

“Just think about it, Jane. We know Eve wants to get Paisley out of the way because she thinks she’s keeping her from getting close to Ethan.” Eric says, appearing to choose his words very carefully, “But if she wants to frame you, then she must realize he wouldn’t just end up with Paisley, but all four pups. It would make sense if the attack had been on the five of you, but I can’t see how Ethan getting custody of the pups helps her.”

“I think you’re assuming a lot of logic for someone who is clearly deranged.” I counter, “In Eve’s eyes I’m a bigger threat than Paisley would ever be, I doubt she’s thinking about custody at all.”

“She’s smart enough to have gotten away with everything thus far.” Eric argues, “She might be crazy but she isn’t stupid.”

“‘She might also know that I’ve told Ethan the kids are yours, so she assumes if l disappear, you get the pups.”I surmise. At this point I wouldn’t put anything beyond Eve, and that includes simply turning on Petra for not defending her after the recording was sent, or simply having a multi-part plan to get rid of the pups after l’m behind bars.

“Maybe so – but there is someone who would benefit greatly by getting you out of the way without any additional schemes.” Eric announces gravely, looking suddenly very fierce.

“What are you saying?” I clarify, feeling my insides start to twist into knots.

“Jane, think about it.” Eric advises, “If you go down for murder, and the pups go to Ethan, he’d get exactly what he wants.”

“You’re accusing Ethan of framing me for Petra’s death?” I repeat.

“Eve is on the run already, it would be an incredible risk to come out into the open andI doubt Petra would have let her in after what happened with Paisley. But Ethan lives there – he has full access to your closet and Petra would certainly feel safe enough with him to let him get close.” He argues, “Besides, he doesn’t truly believe the pups are mine and he knows you want to take them from him. He has more motive than anyone to get you out of the way.”

“Are you serious?” I demand, feeling heat flush my cheeks.

“Jane, think about it. What wouldn’t Ethan do to keep his pups?” Eric presses. “It’s not as if he hasn’t betrayed you in the past.”

Sitting back in my chair, I try to wrap my head around this idea. Was it possible?

 

The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 67

“No”I protest. “It isn’t possible, whatever happened between us in the past, however badly Ethan might want the kids, Ethan would never harm his mother. He’s been devastated by her loss.” l explain, feeling confused but increasingly confident Eric is on the wrong track.

“Devastated by loss, or guilt?” Eric suggests ominously.

“The investigators said a woman killed her:” I remind him, “If Ethan had done it her head wouldn’t have even been on her neck anymore.”

“Well of course they did, you’re being framed for the crime Jane, it would have to look like a woman did it whether it actually was or not.” Eric insists. “And that man almost killed me for merely suggesting the pups weren’t his. You think he wouldn’t take extreme action to keep them?”

“You don’t know Ethan like I do” l insist, “He loved his mother.”

“You’re right, I don’t know him like you. But I know how he talks about you and your family when you’re not there and he’s not trying to charm you, I know the kinds of things Alphas do behind closed doors to stay in power.” He leans forward, “You have a big heart, and your empathy for his loss is blinding you.”

“My big heart isn’t the only problem with your theory.” I sigh, “Ethan doesn’t only want the kids, he wants me too. He can’t have me if l’m behind bars.”

“He kept you out of prison once before didn’t he?”

Eric asked, “didn’t you say there were assault charges which had been dropped? Wasn’t that the start of all your problems with him?”

Suddenly I realize he’s right. If I was blamed for Petra’s death, Ethan could keep the kids and take me prisoner again, as an excuse to punish me without putting me in jail – just like last time. A moment ago I was flushed with indignation, but now I feel all the b***d draining from my face.

“What exactly happened with you two?” Eric asked.

He clearly pieced together part of the story through my account of my interrogation and clues over the years, but I’ve only ever told Linda about just how bad things got.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I can’t help but think Eric might not want me so badly if he knew how low Ethan had brought me. That self destructive spark inside me is flaring up again, because J can already feel myself thinking I won’t have to decide about dating Eric if he decides he doesn’t want me.

“It was a misunderstanding, one gone terribly wrong.”I murmur. “Eve concocted the entire scheme, but I don’t know how she did it.”

“What happened?” Eric questioned again.

“I ve never been able to talk about it.” I admit, but even as I say it, I don’t feel the usual pressure tying my tongue, the helpless silence locking the truth inside me.

“It was my graduation trip after college. It was just supposed to be a simply girl’s trip, but we were attacked by rogues the moment we got across the border. They were waiting for us, and the moment we came in sight they attacked. The strange thing was that they only went for Petra.” I explain, amazed l’ve even been able to share this much.

This is so strange,” | admit, “I wonder if Petra’s death somehow broke the spell. I’ve never been able to get one word out about that day” I continue. They attacked Petra, they were going to r*pe her and it was like I was completely frozen. I wanted to help her, I kept trying to intervene but I was paralyzed. I couldn’t speak or twitch a single muscle. Until Eve tried to step in, and then I could move, but not in any way I chose. I lunged for her, I took her down. I knew what I was doing, but l didn’t want to and couldn’t stop. It was like I was someone else’s puppet.”

Eric reaches out and takes my hand, offering me silent support. The words are pouring out of me now, and I catch myself speeding up, as if l’m afraid ‘ll lose the ability to speak again before I can finish. “After Eve passed out, the rogues just disappeared. I knew then and there it was a setup. They could have attacked all of us -I mean I was Luna, I was most valuable, but they only chose Petra and then they left for no reason. I got my body back, but not my voice. I couldn’t say a word to defend myself to anyone, even Ethan.”

“It took me a while to figure out that Eve was behind it, but I saw what happened after. Petra had never liked me, but now she hated me and completely adored Eve. Eve lost her wolf in the attack and so Ethan moved her into the penthouse, and they started an affair, and Petra was advocating for them to be married.

“And Ethan?” Eric encourages, “What did he do?”

“He convinced Eve and Petra to drop the charges against me, but he didn’t let me go unpunished. He demoted me from Luna, he made me nothing more than his concubine. I wasn’t permitted to work, I stopped having anything to do with leading the pack and was taken completely out of the public eye. I wasn’t allowed to leave the house without his permission” My voice shakes as I recount those horrible days. “My entire life became servicing Ethan. I basically lived in house arrest, waiting for him to decide when he wanted a f**k and listening to Eve’s stories about their love affair.”

“I thought he’d thrown me over for her and was just keeping me as a toy.” I close my eyes, unable to look him in the eye. “Later l learned that there was never anything between them at all. Ethan took my status but he couldn’t stay away, he couldn’t bring himself to throw me out. So in his mind, he thought he was depriving me of my privileges as punishment for my crimes, but in reality I was just imprisoned for something l didn’t do – degraded and demeaned for over a year.”

“What hurt the worst is that he believed them so easily, he believed I would just abandon Petra and attack Eve for trying to help her. I couldn’t speak to defend myself, but he just accepted their word. We’d been together since we were fifteen – he knew me better than anyone. And then, like he’d just snapped our bond in two, he treated me like a cheap wh0re.

The hand Eric has over mind is shaking now, and he pulls me towards him. I don’t even realize l’m crying until he wipes the tears from my eyes. “It’s not your fault, sweetheart.” He murmurs, hugging me tightly.

I let myself take comfort from him for a few moments. I don’t feel the way I do when Ethan touches me-full of excitement, butterflies and heat, but I do feel safe. When I pull away, swiping at my cheeks, I glance around the shop to make sure our little scene didn’t draw too much attention. Luckily there weren’t many other customers.

“| know how hard that was for you,” Eric acknowledges tenderly, “but there are a couple of things I’m not sure you realize you admitted, Jane.”

“What do you mean?” l question.

“You just told me Eve’s wolf was paralyzed in the attack” He reminds me. “If she doesn’t have a wolf, how did she attack Petra?”

Blinking, I frown up at him, “Maybe she was lying.”I guess, “she lied about everything else”

“How do you know she was lying about the affair?”

Eric presses.

“Ethan told me” I confess, realizing how weak that would sound to him. “But I also never saw any signs of it other than what she said. I never smelled her on him or caught them at it” A disturbing thought enters my mind, “Of course, I never saw signs of her wolf either.”

Eric purses his l!ps. “Okay.” He sighs, dragging his hand through his hair, “And Petra, your paralysis – did it ever occur to you they were in on it together?”

“What do you mean?” I press.

“Well if the spell was broken by her death.. maybe she’s the one who cast the spell in the first place. You said she never liked you, even before that.” He reasons.

“She thought I was a gold-digging omega, she always wanted Ethan with an Alpha female like Eve.” I tell him.

“So maybe she and Eve worked up this scheme together to get you out of the picture, and Ethan simply didn’t cooperate.'” He suggests.

“That’s possible.” I agree.

“And the other thing,” He forges ahead, “you just described a man who was so obsessed with you that he was willing to enslave you rather than give you up.

Who’s to say he wouldn’t do the same thing again? If he’s capable of doing that to the woman he supposedly loves – he’s capable of anything” Eric proclaims gravely. “Eve doesn’t have a wolf, and her motive from framing you is strong, but it’s not as strong as Ethan’s.

He had access, motive, ability and now he has every excuse to keep you and the pups here for good.”

 

The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 68

3rd Person

Ethan glanced at Jane out of the corner of his eye.

She’d been incredibly tense all evening, even with the pups. They were currently preparing dinner together, and every time Ethan came near her her little body wound up as tight as a spring. He couldn’t keep quiet anymore after she jumped three feet in the air from a light touch on the waist, simply because he’d wanted to nudge her out of the way of the silverware drawer.

“Janey, what’s going on? You’re being as skittish as a startled rabbit.” He asked, turning her to face him.

“Nothing” She uttered, averting her gaze.

“Eyes.” He ordered, noting the way she squirmed against him rather than obey. “Now, little wolf” He ordered. Jane gradually peeked up at him from beneath her lashes, sulking as she caved to his authority. “Tell me the truth.

“Nothing’s wrong” She repeated, “I’m just tired.”

Ethan growled, but before he could ask her anything more, a knock sounded at the door.”This isn’t over.” He informed her sternly, going to answer the knock. When the door swung open, he found the murder investigator waiting on the other side.

“Detective, come in.” The sound of a glass breaking filled the air, and Ethan turned to see Jane staring at the door with wide eyes, the wine glass she’d been holding a moment ago now smashed at her feet.”Are you okay?” He asked, worriedly, trying to recall whether or not she was wearing anything on her feet.

She recovered quickly, turning to grab a broom,”

I’m fine, sorry.

“Just give us a sec” Ethan told the investigator going to help Jane. Rounding the counter he saw a pair of house slippers on her feet, and she held up a hand to him. “I’ve got it, Ethan. Go talk to the investigator.”

“Actually l’m here to speak with you, Ms Blackwell.”

The detective replied.

Ethan was so distracted by the way Jane’s shoulders slumped in defeat, that he almost didn’t notice the officer calling her by the correct name – almost. “What’s this about?”

“Well I came to follow up on our conversation at the funeral.” He explained, baffling Ethan and making Jane deflate even further.

“I didn’t realize you spoke at the funeral.” Ethan frowned, thinking that the whole day had been a daze, but he felt like he would remember Jane telling him this.

“Oh really?” The detective questioned slyly, eyeing Jane in a way Ethan didn’t like one bit. “I suppose l shouldn’t make anything of that, should 1?” He gloats. “

Now, I know you wanted to have a lawyer for our next meeting, but-“

“Wait a minute.” Ethan interrupted. “Why would she need a lawyer, and why are you interviewing her at all. My mother was the victim, not hers.”

“Because” Jane announced shakily, “He thinks I killed her.”

“Excuse me?” Ethan snarled, staring at the investigator in shock. “What the hell is she talking about?”

“We have evidence, Alpha.” The detective answers,

“Very strong evidence”

“And why the hell is this the first time l’m hearing about this?” He demanded, looking back and forth between them. For a moment he thought this explained Jane’s odd behavior perfectly, but then he recalled that the funeral was over a week before, and she’d only started acting oddly in the last day or two.

I didn’t want to burden you with it when you were mourning” Jane whispered.

“A likely excuse.” The investigator scoffed.

Ethan glared at the man, before turning back to Jane. “You should have told me this, Jane” He told her simply, “whether I was mourning or not. And you” He snarled, looking at the investigator, “l want a word alone – now.”

As Ethan led the detective out into the hallway, Jane slumped down, resting her elbows on the counter and cradling her head in her hands. She heard the kids running in a moment later and didn’t even have time to feel exasperated about their knack for terrible timing.

Careful!” She called, stopping them in their tracks, ” don’t come into the kitchen kids, there’s broken glass.”

They scrambled up onto the stools in front of the bar instead, the boys helping Paisley and Riley with a lift, before clambering up the poles like monkeys themselves. “Mommy, why was that tective being mean to you?” Riley asked as Jane swept the glass into a dustpan.

Jane wasn’t surprised that the pups had overheard. They were master eavesdroppers after all.

It’s a little complicated, sweetheart.”

“Why? Parker asked, c*****g his head to the side.

“Because,” Jane sighed, “He thinks I did something bad.”

The pups exchanged worried glances. “Something to Granny?” Paisley asked.

Jane scanned their faces, struggling with how much to tell them. She didn’t want to confuse or frighten them, but she didn’t want to lie to them either.

“Yes”

Out in the hall, Ethan was listening as the detective described the status of the investigation, relating the evidence about Jane’s dress, as well as a few others he hadn’t revealed to Jane: her bloody footprints around the body, a few of her hairs in Petra’s clenched fist.

“Listen to me.” Ethan ordered. “The killer could easily have taken a dress from Jane’s closet and hair from her hairbrush, she lives here” He stated, forcing the words out through clenched teeth. “And Jane didn’t have b***d anywhere on her body, under her nails or flecked on her skin, which she would have if she’d killed a woman with her bare claws. Not to mention she didn’t have any motive.”

“She’s attacked your mother once already.” The detective reminds me.

“That isn’t accurate, for more than one reason. As far as I’m concerned those early reports were fraudulent’ Ethan rumbled, “A cruel scheme engineered by the woman you should actually be looking for right now – Eve.”

“Alpha, whether or not those reports were valid, it’s a well known fact that Eve doesn’t have a wolf – whoever killed your mother did” The man argued, “the very fact that Jane lives here is further proof, because Eve no longer has keys. Whoever did this had access to the penthouse.”

“My mother loved Eve, even with the new locks we put on the doors after l kicked Eve out, she might have invited Eve in. Eve is very manipulative and my mother believed she owed her her life, no matter what happened with Paisley:” Ethan had been thinking about this more than he’d like to admit. His mind had been terribly preoccupied with discovering exactly what happened that night. “And I’m not sure I believe Eve doesn’t have a wolf either, that was probably just an excuse to move in here.

The detective was getting more frustrated with the Alpha every moment. The man seemed determined to refute every bit of evidence his team had found. “Fine, then tell me this – Why did Jane lie about where she was that night?”

“What?” Ethan blinked.

“Her alibi for that evening didn’t hold up. She was supposed to be having a business dinner, but when we verified it, her colleague said they never had any such plans and he hadn’t seen her since that afternoon” The investigator shared. “All in all, we have more than enough evidence to arrest her, I’ve already got the prosecutor preparing a warrant:”

Ethan grimaced. He had to admit the situation sounded very bad, but he’d fallen for one of Eve’s scheme’s to discredit Jane once already. He couldn’t fail her again, not when he knew in his heart that Jane was innocent. “If you arrest Jane, I will have your badge” Ethan growled, making the detective flinch. “

Eve tried to kill my daughter, she set up my mate years ago and I warned you someone would get hurt. As far as l’m concerned, my mother’s death is on your hands.

If you’d done your job and brought Eve in, this never would have happened.”

“But Alpha, the evidence -“

“Is circumstantial at best.” He interrupted, jabbing a furious finger back towards the apartment. “So help me, I don’t care if the people want to call me corrupt or challenge me for control, you will not lay a hand on the she-wolf in there.”

It took a moment for the detective to submit.

I glaring at the Alpha and slowly tucking his tail between his legs.”Yes sir” The man slunk off with his tail between his legs, and Ethan counted to ten before he allowed himself tore-enter the apartment.

Once inside, he found Jane getting the pups settled with a puzzle. She looked up when he entered, scanning the empty doorway behind him.”Is he..?

“He’s gone” Ethan informed her, pulling her down the hall into his bedroom. He shut the door behind him.

“Where were you the night my mother died, Jane?

“A business dinner,i told you” She stammered, shifting nervously from foot to foot.

“No you weren’t. The police tried to verify your alibi and couldn’t.” Ethan corrected her sharply, “So come on, out with it- where were you?”

 

The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 69

3rd Person

Jane’s heart sank when she saw Ethan’s angry expression. Glancing nervously at the door, she wrapped her arms protectively around her body.

However instead of answering she simply backed away from Ethan, unable to bring herself to focus on her alibi until she knew exactly what had happened. “What else did he say?”

“He told me about the evidence connecting you to the crime scene” Ethan explained, following her slowly.

“The dress?” Jane asked, gnawing her lower l*p.

“The dress, plus the hair and bloody footprints.”

Ethan elaborated.

“He never told me about those” Jane breathed shakily, turning away from the Alpha to try and collect her thoughts without feeling his searing gaze on her. Of course, all this meant was that she could feel it on her back instead of her face, lancing through her like a laser beam.

That’s typical.” Ethan told her, “they never tell you how much they have against you, he probably has other things he didn’t tell me. That’s how they get you they open the door for you to lie by making you think they only have a little bit of information, then see if your story matches up with the other evidence.”

“My footsteps were there before I found her.” Jane whispered, appearing so helpless and vulnerable it hurt Ethan to look at her. “I don’t know how the dress or the hair got there, but I didn’t do it, Ethan.”

This completely baffled the Alpha. He wasn’t stupid, of course he knew she didn’t do it. Surely she didn’t think he believed she was guilty? She flinched when he took hold of her shoulders, forcibly turning to face him. “Goddess, Jane. I know that” He ducked his head, trying to catch Jane’s eyes even as she determinedly averted his gaze.

Jane peeked up at him from beneath her eyelashes, “You do?” She squeaked, disbelieving.

Cursing under his breath, Ethan pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. “Of course, sweetheart.” Jane tried to stop herself from giving in to his warmth, but when he started to purr she couldn’t help but bury her face in his neck and breathe in his incredible scent. “

That’s it.” He praised, stroking her spine.”No wonder you’ve been wound tight as a spring lately” When Jane was finally a little calmer, he pulled back and caught her in his crosshairs.

“I need you to tell me where you were that night.”

He pressed gently.

“I was with Eric” Jane murmured, “we went to dinner together.”

“Why did you lie about it?” Ethan inquired, trying not to jump to any conclusions about what they might have been doing that she would have wanted to hide.

“Because I was afraid if you knew that you’d get jealous and you two would be at each other’s throats again. I wasn’t even thinking about it when the detectives asks, I was just on auto-pilot and repeating what l’d told you.” She shared, pulling out of his hold.

“I suppose l deserve that.'” Ethan admitted, letting her go.

“Ethan,” Jane sighed, slumping onto the edge of the bed in defeat. “Eve has gotten away with everything she’s ever done. She’s going to get away with this too”

“No she isn’t” Ethan vowed.

“Ethan, if they arrest me, what will happen to the pups?” Jane fretted, speaking her fears aloud even though she wasn’t sure she could actually trust him.

“They’re not going to arrest you, Jane.” Ethan growled, “l promise, I won’t let that happen.”

Even as he comforted her, Jane couldn’t stop hearing Eric’s accusations about the Alpha echoing in her mind: If you’re blamed for the murder, then Ethan will have the perfect excUse to hurt you all over again.

He’ll make you think he’s on your side by protecting you from prison, all the while making you his slave again.

He’ll get everything he wants – you and the pups together.

“I’m going to take care of everything, of you and the pups.” Ethan vowed, making the knot of fear writhing in Jane’s chest constrict even more tightly.”

You have my word.”

Outside the door, the pups listened with their keen ears pressing to the wood, their puzzle completely abandoned in the other room. They didn’t really understand everything that was happening, but they understood Petra hadn’t just gone away on her own, and they knew the word “arrest” was very bad.

More than anything else, their sensitive instincts were picking up every ounce of Jane’s fear and sadness, as well as all of Ethan’s tension and anger.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Eric” Jane was saying now, “Im just so anxious about all this aggression between you. It’s not good for the pups.

“It’s okay.” Ethan answered, “And I know, I’m worried too – about all this. Kids are like sponges, they sense something wrong no matter how hard we try to shield them from it.” The sound of soft movements inside was punctuated by a heavy exhale from Jane, and a few smacks in quick succession like Ethan was pressing a series of k!sses to her skin. “Come on. Baby.”

He encouraged a moment later, “Let me finish dinner.

Why don’t you go have a nice long bath and try to relax.

As the sounds of their parents drew further away into the master bath, the pups dashed back down the hall to talk about what they’d discovered. “What was the mean man saying bout ev… ev.. evdence? Parker asked.

Riley scanned the kitchen, seeing her mother’s phone abandoned on the counter. She dashed over and grabbed the device, returning to the living area and typing a very badly spelled version of the word into google. Luckily auto-correct. saved her, and a moment later the definition was staring up at her from the screen. “It means proof of a crime”

“Try googling Granny now.” Paisley suggested “

They’re not telling us ‘nything. I don’t undstand how she just went away.”

“It says she was murdered.” Riley reads in a horrified tone.

“Murdered?” Parker murmured, “like on those grown up TV shows?”

“It means when someone kills someone else.” Riley explained, reading the second definition off the Screen.

“And they think Mommy did it” Ryder summarized.

“They think Mommy killed Granny.”

That’s why Mommy’s so upset.” Parker frowned, murdrers on TV go to jail.”

They were talking ’bout Eve.” Riley reminded them.”I bet she’s the one who did it, and she’s framing Mommy.”

“We have to stop her:” Parker decided, “we stopped her once already, we can do it ‘gain.”

“You’re right.” Ryder agreed, “but how’re we going to do it?”

“We can go to the police and tell them she didn’t do it.” Parker suggested.

“They won’t b’lieve us.” Riley stated promptly, shaking her head. “Grown ups never b’lieve anything they can’t see with their eyes.”

“So we need proof” Parker nodded, “but it won’t be easy to get.”

While Riley, Ryder and Parker murmured amongst themselves, overcome with worry, Paisley sat back on her heels. She knew Jane was innocent just as much as the others, but as they began discussing ideas to try and help her somehow, Paisley could only feel overwhelmed. Everything in her life was changing so much so fast. A month ago she was awaiting surgery with no clue she had a mother or siblings; now they were all there, her grandmother was gone, her greatest tormentor had disappeared after trying to kill her multiple times, and everyone around her was constantly scared and angry.

There was also one question she simply couldn’t get out of her young mind. She loved being with her Mommy and the other pups so much – but why hadn’t they been together all along? Why were Mommy and Daddy playing hide ‘n’ seek all that time instead of staying together like all her friends parents? Why did Mommy leave her and keep the others? Didn’t she want her?

So when she heard the bedroom door open again and Ethan walking back down the hall, she jumped up to meet him. Paisley ran right up to him with her arms raised over her head, and Ethan instantly scooped her up the same way he’d done a thousand times before.

His mother used to scold him for carryíng Paisley all the time, convinced he would spoil the little girl. However, now more than ever, he was determined to show her and soak up as much affection as he could in these precious years when she wanted to be with him constantly. Besides he figured that if a child had to be spoiled with something it should be love, rather than material items.

“What’s up buttercup?” He asked with a smile.

“Daddy I has to ask you a question” She announced, her little face scrunched up in a frown exactly like the one Jane had been sporting a few minutes before. “A serious question.”

“Okay. Ethan agreed, putting on his listening face.

“Is everything okay?”

Taking a deep breath, Paisley gazed up into her Father’s loving face, and finally voiced the question that had been haunting her from the very first day she met Jane outside Eve’s atelier. “Did Mommy leave cuz she didn’t want me?”

 

The Luna And Her Quadruplet Pups Chapter 70

Ethan blinked, shocked and horrified by his young daughter’s question. “Of course not, Paisley.” He assured her.

“1 don’t want you to ever think that.”

“Was it because l’m a runt like Eve said?” Paisley asked, her lower l!p trembling.

Ethan feels a fresh burst of rage towards the horrible she-wolf but tries to soothe his fraying temper for his pups sake. “Sweetheart, listen to me very carefully.” He began, searching for the right words to explain such a complicated situation to one so young. “Your Mommy wanted you more than anything in the world. It’s my fault she left – it’s only ever been my fault.”

Paisley’s little nose crinkled in confusion. “How?”

“1 know it’s hard to understand, but she couldn’t take care of you then, and I could. I forced her to go away, but she left you with me to save her life.” Ethan confessed.

“How’d you force her?” Paisley questioned, not understanding one bit how her wonderful Daddy could ever do anything bad.

“Angel, one of the things you’ll learn as you grow up, is that people make a lot of mistakes.” He explained. “Now, smart people learn from their mistakes and do better in the future, but doing the right thing later can’t erase the harm our mistakes do in the first place – and Daddy made a lot of mistakes when your Mommy and I were married. I wasn’t a very good man, and she left because I did something bad.”

Sharing this with Paisley was harder than he ever could have imagined. The sweet pup thought he hung the moon itself, and it killed him to think she might not look at him the same way again. He’d learned a long time ago that nothing had the power to make a person feel remorse for their past indiscretions more than having kids, but this was on another level entirely. He wanted to live up to her image of him so badly it hurt, and he knew the old him never would.

“But the day you were born was the day I got a second chance, Paisley.” He continued huskily. “That was when I decided to always try to do the right thing from then on out.

You were and always will be my rainbow baby, the miracle that taught me how to be a better man.”

“But Mommy still felt hurt?” Paisley inquired, looking overwhelmed with information but not frightened or angry.

“That’s right.” Ethan confirmed.

“Does she feel hurt now?” Paisley wondered aloud.

“I’m afraid so, sweetheart.” Ethan admitted.

Paisley’s eyes welled up, “Does that mean she’s gonna leave me ‘gain?”

Ethan decided that, his good intentions to help Jane relax aside, this wasn’t a conversation they could have without her. “Never.” Ethan vowed, carrying her back into the bedroom. Knocking on the bathroom door, he waited until Jane called out her okay to push it open.

She was already in the bath, surrounded by bubbles with her long blonde hair pinned up on top of her head. In any other circumstances Ethan would have been having to smother his ar0usal, but right now he felt nothing but concern for Paisley. “Janey, there’s something you and Paisley need to talk about” Jane smiled up at the little girl, immediately sensing her distress, “Come here, my love. What is it?”

Paisley suddenly felt too shy to voice her deep fears in front of Jane, and Ethan couldn’t really blame her, since Jane was the source of her fear. When he put her on the ground she turned her wide puppy dog eyes up to him, begging for a rescue. Ethan squatted down and turned her to face Jane.

She just asked me if you left because you didn’t want her – and if you would ever leave her again.”

A look of such anguish crossed Jane’s face that Ethan wished he could have spared her the question, but he knew Paisley needed to hear the answer from her mother.

Absolutely not.” Jane said, her voice thick with emotion. She sat up straighter, and reached out her hand to Paisley, and Ethan gave the child a little nudge forward.

There were tears in Jane’s eyes by the time Paisley reached her, and Jane took her small face in her foam covered hands. “I have wanted you from the first moment I found out l was carrying you, and I have wanted you every day since. l’m so sorry I left you, Paisley, but it was never because I didn’t want you or love you every bit as much as l love your brothers and sister.”

She glanced up at Ethan helplessly. “1 thought I was doing what was best for you. You wouldn’t have lived if you stayed with me, so l gave you up so that you could get better and I could come back for you one day. And now that I have I will never, ever leave you again.”

Paisley nodded, her own tears filling her eyes. Jane wanted to hug her desperately, but realized she couldn’t do so without soaking the pup to the skin. “Do you want to have a bubble bath with me?” She asked instead.

Paisley wiped her eyes, and shakily hiccuped,” uh-huh.”

Ethan quickly helped the little girl out of her clothes, and lowered her into the bath on Jane’s lap. Paisley snuggled in, skin to skin with her mother for the first time since her birth, and cried her little heart out against Jane’s bre*ast. Jane shushed and pet her, wondering how long the sweet pup had been holding onto this fear. “I don’t want you to ever be afraid to ask or tell me anything.” She told her. “Even if you think it will make me mad or sad or scared, I always want you to tell me what you’re feeling. Because there’s nothing you could ask or say that would ever make me love you any less, okay?”

Paisley nodded with a sniffle. “Okay.”

Ethan was still there watching, mesmerized by watching his daughter bond with her mother this way. He was mildly surprised when Paisley looked over at him, and asked, “You’ll never leave me either, right Daddy?”

He didn’t bother looking at Jane, because he would never lie to Paisley – not about this. “Never:” He vowed, “I will never leave you.”

The next day, when Ethan and Jane went out to run a few errands, Eric came over to watch the kids. In Jane’s mind it was something of a test, to see whether the two men could actually be around each other without their lives devolving into chaos.

The kids were napping when he arrived, so he settled in the living room with a book and waited for them to rouse.

Paisley was the first to emerge from her slumber, toddling down the hall and rubbing her eyes. “Hello there sleepyhead.

” Eric greeted her. He’d babysat the other three kids a thousand times before, and he was eager to get to know Jane’s youngest so that he could prove to her how well they were suited.

“What are you doing here?” She yawned, “Where ‘s Mommy and Daddy?”

“They went to do a little shopping. I’m going to watch you until they’re back.” He explained. “Are you hungry?

Would you like a snack?”

“Can I has an apple?” She asked shyly.

“Of course you can.” He agreed. “Do you want me to cut it up for you?”

“Yes please.” Paisley confirmed, following him into the kitchen. She watched him as he pulled out an apple and began to slice it. “That’s not how Daddy does it.” She objected fairly promptly.

“Oh l’m sorry, how does your Daddy do it?” Eric asked.

“He peels it first.” She informed him.

“Okay” Eric grabbed a second apple, resigning to eat the first himself, then promptly peeled it. After slicing and plating it, he placed it at the table in front of Paisley. “Voila!”

Paisley eyed the plate suspiciously. “I change my mind.”

She announced. “l don’ want that.”

Eric sighed heavily, not unfamiliar with the ways of toddlers, but lacking the patience of a true parent. “Honey, you asked for it.”

“1 don’ like apples.” Paisley insisted, but the corner of her mouth twitched up, leading Eric to believe this was less about her fickly tummy, and more about thwarting him.

He sat down next to her and gave her a long look. “You know Paisley, I’d really like for us to be friends.”

Paisley stared right back at him. Tha’s too bad.”

“Why?” He inquired.

“Cuz I don’ like you.” She replied matter-of-factly.

“Well that makes me sad. I like you.” Eric countered.

“You fought my Daddy and bit my Mommy.” Paisley accused him.

1 didn’t mean to bite your Mommy.” He explained apologetically.

“But you did mean to fight Daddy.”‘ Paisley insisted.

“Yes I did.” He confessed.

“So, I don’t like you.” Paisley repeated, thinking he must be very slow for not understanding.

“Well l still hope we can be friends.” Eric frowned. “After all, when you come to live in the Dark Moon territory you’ll be seeing me all the time.”

“What are you talking ’bout?” Paisley asked warily.

“Didn’t your Mommy tell you?” Eric questioned. You’re moving away in a few months. Your Mommy’s bringing you home to live with your brothers and sister.”

“But what ’bout Daddy?” Paisley said.

“Oh- he’s staying here.”