#Chapter 14 – Live with Parents

When Victor opens the door, I burst out laughing.

I can’t help it. Before me stands one of the most powerful Alphas in the country, his shirt covered in stickers and juice stains, glitter on his face and even a little purple marker smudged across his chin.

He scowls at me mightily, filling up the frame, glaring at me in a way which I’m sure has cowed hundreds of men. But here, with what is clearly marshmallow fluff spiking up a piece of his hair, it just makes it funnier.

I bend over, laughing so hard I have to put my hands on my knees to support myself.

“Evelyn,” he says, stern and gruff, clearly used to more respect.

“Evelyn,” I say back, crossing my arms over my chest and mocking him, still laughing. “Oh come on, Victor, get over it,” I say, pushing past him into his front hall. “You can’t intimidate me with apple juice and Paw Patrol stickers all over your shirt.”

I am impressed, walking into Victor’s house, though I try not to let him see it too much. “Beautiful home you have here,” I say, turning to take in the three-story wall of windows, the view over the valley. Beyond the stainless kitchen I can see a giant swimming pool out back, complete with swim-up bar. Geeze, living the life.

“Thank you,” he murmurs passively, following me into the room as I put my purse down on a table.

“And where,” I say, are my boys? Victor rolls his eyes, clearly ashamed at his inability to control them, and gestures towards the back. My heart lifts as I hear their laughter.

Victor walks me out onto his expansive patio, which has all of the trimmings of a five-star restaurant – full grill, pizza oven, even a wine fridge. I whistle and turn around to take it all in.

As I spin, I catch sight of the boys and start laughing. Ian is crouching on top of the ping pong table, snarling and swiping like a tiger as Alvin waves a gigantic palm frond at him – one he’s clearly torn, without permission, from Victor’s carefully-manicured gardens.

“What are they even doing,” he says, catching sight of them as well and releasing another big sigh.

“Playing tiger and monkey,” I say, shrugging. “It’s a game, they made it up.”

“They don’t…” he begins, and rubs his head with his hand. “They don’t listen, and they want to be doing twelve different things at once.”

I smile at his frustration. “They’re a handful, for sure.”

“A handful,” he snaps, staring at them and burying his hands in his pockets. “That’s an understatement. They’re torturing the poor Beta’s. They played hide and seek with one for like, ten minutes, and he’s just…gone” I laugh at Victor’s troubled expression.

little too. “Seriously, we don’t know if he got lost, or he’s still hiding – or if he just…quit.” We both

really clever kids, Victor,” I say, “they’re in a league all their own. You shouldn’t blame yourself if you can’t handle them.” I smirk, watching the smile on his face turn into a stern frown. Clearly, Victor doesn’t like

I say, nudging him with my elbow and encouraging him to laugh. “You were so confident this afternoon, and not even a couple of hours later they’re running rough shod over you.” I smile up into his face. “Come on, it’s kind of

me, but I can see a smile tug at the corners of his lips. “I don’t know why you’re laughing at me, woman,” he says, and I smile as his

a joke – and

hear, joined quickly by “Mama! Yayyy!” The boys rush over, enveloping

you having

they chorus, folding their hands like the angels

you

try to distract me with big toothy smiles. I laugh and shove them away from me lightly. “Go back to your games, little terrors,” I say. “We’ll

boys rush off, relief clear on their faces. They think they’ve

his head as he watches them run away. “they…listened to you.

tell me,” I inquire, folding my arms across my chest. “How was your day with

his cheeks puffing. “It was chaos, Evelyn.” He says, embarrassed to

slightly. The chaos

know it’s not easy for me to admit that, but I am grateful that

is the opposite of everything I invite into my life.

me every day, Evelyn,” he says. “I want to see them

nothing because, the truth is, I do understand. But I also know that Victor getting what he wants in this situation means I

say this and feel my heart soften, just a little. He is still arrogant, possessive, and unyielding but…I can see him becoming a dad. His love

shake my head, turning away from the thought. I have

by the pool, gathering flat, round rocks and

us to come live in his house with him.” Alvin

and then, suddenly, pushes the whole thing over. Alvin doesn’t

and live with our dad?” Ian asks, his voice angry. Alvin

says, rubbing his side

him. “We can’t leave mom! She’s

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255