#Chapter 20 – The Celebration

“Victor, it’s too much.” These were my first words upon walking up the path to what Victor calls The Cottage, the “little” eight-room house situated directly behind his, separated only by a small grove of trees.

Accepting this home went against all of my instincts for self-preservation, self-sufficiency, all of my pride at taking care of myself. But one look at Ian and Alvin, their joy at the house, their proximity to their father, their safety within its walls…I can’t deny that it’s the right choice.

Victor watched me realize this, smirking. I smacked his arm, fighting my own smile and admitting, internally, that this is a battle he won. “Thank you,” I said, softly.

“It’s yours,” he said.

“No,” I said, determined. “We will rent. I have the money. I’ll pay my way.”

He shrugged. “I’ll have the mortgage transferred into the boys’ name. Your money will pay it off, and one day they’ll own it.” I nodded to this, consenting. Then it will be a gift to them from both of their parents.

“And then,” he smirked, “when they get sick of you, they can kick you out.”

I scrunched my face, smacking him again in the arm, “they would never.”

“I know,” he said, laughing and tossing me the keys, walking through the back door towards his own property.

The boys are decked out in orange and black, the colors of Victor’s pack, and even Amelia can’t help but smile as they run around the closed-off main street in excitement, their faces painted, waving their flags.

Today is Pack Pride, the annual day when wolf packs come together in cities across the country to celebrate their lineage, their communities. This is the first year when the boys wear orange and black, their paternal colors.

Amelia is determined to enjoy herself. After all, she had loved Pack Pride day since she was a little girl, and especially when, as a teenager, she was crowned Teen Luna of the twenty-four surrounding packs. A title she heartily felt she had deserved.

Evelyn isn’t attending – too busy playing house out back, Amelia thinks, smirking bitterly. There had been a big fight, the day Victor told her he had moved his ex into the shed in the back yard.

Amelia could feel herself losing ground in her relationship. Victor continued to get what he wanted with no consequences. It was a slippery slope. Amelia had to find a way to get leverage, fast.

up and wraps his arm around her leg, beaming up at her, little black lightening bolts drawn on

him loose from her leg, where he is wrinkling her skirt. She likes this one better than the other, nastier twin. Still, neither were going to be her problem for

quietly, two steps away, for their commands. Beta Frank comes forward, the one Amelia had been hoping for. She

smiling in what she hopes is a motherly way. “It’s such a special day, and they’ve been so deprived all their lives. I’d hate for

always ready for their games. He’s also the frailest of the Beta group, barely tall enough to have made it

up onto some of the bleachers, raising her binoculars. She pretends to be taking into the parade, singing along with the music, but really, she follows every step of Beta Frank and the boys as they

one knocking Beta Frank over the head, the other snatching the boys. The men work with minimum fuss and no disturbance to the crowd. Amelia smirks, pleased.

would make it hard to follow the twins. And lots

Victor’s voice coming up the bleachers towards her, carrying two mint juleps. Now this is more like it, Amelia

handsome Alpha. Kids were definitely in their future – she had no

sure. But he would get through it, and she would help. And if she had to move

a good time?” Victor asks,

For the first time in weeks, it’s

Victor asks, looking around for

the food stalls. “They went to

would die for him and

heading home. She climbs out, her blue skirt swishing just below her knees, and scans the crowd,

the sense that she was missing out on the fun got the better of her. I’ve been through a lot, these past weeks, she thinks

– a far too familiar shriek that chills her to her bones.

and Victor dance in the stands, her arms around his

notices unusual behavior with the Betas and breaks away from Amelia, who follows

receiving no response from Beta Frank. It’s been five minutes. He’s supposed to check in every two. We know he could

spins away from him, scanning the crowd and snapping orders

– carrying one little boy on her hip, another walking by her side,

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