#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.

her leg, beaming up at her, little

wrinkling her skirt. She likes this one better than the

waiting quietly, two steps away, for their commands. Beta Frank comes forward, the one

get some cotton candy?” She says, smiling in what she hopes is a motherly way. “It’s such a

nods and calls the boys, who run over and climb all over him. Beta Frank is a favorite of the boys’ and a good sport, always ready for their games. He’s also the frailest of the Beta group, barely tall enough to have made it into the

of the bleachers, raising her binoculars. She pretends to be taking into the parade, singing along with the music, but really, she

step out from behind a lemonade stand, 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. Good. That’s what

which would make it hard to follow the twins. And lots of Victor’s rivals here, pretending to get along, at whom

Now this is more

what she signed up for, really – drinks and a good time with her handsome Alpha. Kids were definitely in their future – she had no doubts there – but not now, they had plenty of time. And

through it, and she would help. And if she had to move up the baby timeline a little bit to

you having a good time?” Victor asks, leaning

at him and nods enthusiastically. For the first time in weeks, it’s not a

are the boys?” Victor asks, looking

She waves vaguely towards the food stalls. “They went to get a snack, with that

well-trained and would die for him and

to find a spot close to the front – people must already be heading home. She climbs out, her blue skirt swishing just below her

her. I’ve been through a lot, these past weeks, she thinks as she heads toward the

shriek that chills her to her bones.

around his neck, his head constantly pivoting, looking out into the

and breaks away from Amelia, who follows him as he heads towards the

minutes. He’s supposed to check in

and snapping orders that the Betas form a

carrying one little boy on her hip, another walking

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

Comments ()

0/255