#Chapter 23 – Sick Twins

The next morning, Betas who hustle about Victor’s kitchen as he enters it, making phone calls, surveying the sight-lines from the kitchen and living room. “Good,” he says, nodding.

“Good morning, baby,” Amelia purrs, pressing a hot cup of coffee and cream into his hand and giving him a kiss on the cheek. Victor glances at her and nods, gesturing to the Beta pack leader to come over.

“Thanks for coming early, Edgar,” Victor says. “I want two teams working at all times – one on surveillance of the house, the other doing reconnaissance. I want answers. This can never happen again.”

Edgar nods, swift and efficient. “Yes sir. Apologies, I should have had a bigger team at the parade yesterday – I should have been there myself –“

Victor waves a hand, dismissing it. “The amount of protection you supplied yesterday matched my commands. However, situations have changed – I should have adjusted the instructions to include the boys.”

“Yes…” says Edgar, hesitating. “The…boys. Should I prepare…”

“Yes, Beta, you should prepare your team to protect the two boys at all times. They are my sons, and I will acknowledge them as such as soon as I can arrange it.”

Edgar nods slowly, unable to stop his eyebrows from raising just a little bit.

“Their mother, too, full protection.” Victor continues. “Her name is Evelyn Walsh, though she changed it to Ortega when she went Rogue. They’re living in the property out back,” he says, gesturing towards the back windows. “I want you on all three of them, full time care.”

Edgar nods and salutes. “Yes sir.”

“We start now, Beta. Any questions?”

“No sir,” Edgar says.

“Good.” Victor nods and drains his coffee. “You stay here, start organizing the patrols. I’ll take the reconnaissance team with me to the office to start research.”

Edgar moves back towards his men, giving his own orders. Amelia appears beside Victor and he smiles at her, putting an arm around her shoulders. “I’ll see you tonight, baby?” she asks.

Victor nods. “I’m going to drop in and see the boys when I come back from the office,” he replies. “But I’ll be home for dinner.” Amelia gives him a smile as Victor puts his coffee up in the sink and snaps, drawing the Betas to order.

“Let’s move out, boys.” The Betas salute as one and then head out of the house, Victor at their tail.

“Victor,” Amelia calls as he goes. He turns and waits as she catches up. “Victor, about Evelyn…well, I was thinking…how much do we really know about her? About where she comes from?”

Victor frowns. “She comes from a very good family, the daughter of Alpha Walsh. Whose reputation, surely, you know.”

“Yessss…”Amelia says softly. “I do know of Walsh, though I didn’t know he had another daughter. Especially a Rogue daughter. Do you think…” she hesitates again.

Can you just spit

Or did she keep it a secret from

sees where she’s going and grimaces, ashamed of himself for not thinking of it before. Of course Evelyn would have kept the boys secret from everyone, and an Alpha

a swift kiss and heading out the door. “This

she murmurs, blowing on her coffee and closing the door behind him, a smirk on

finish chopping the bell pepper

his clammy skin, his glassy eyes. “Open your mouth, stick out your tongue,” I say. He does so and I

his eyes. “And I am

I call, knowing already that my inseparable twins have shared this as well. Sure enough, Alvin comes into the kitchen flushed and grumpy. “Do you

a hug. I hold my sweaty boys close for a moment and then

– they hate going to bed early under all conditions – but I clap my hands, silencing them. “Up, go.” I command,

head up the stairs, I turn off the pan and place a lid on it. Chicken fajitas will have to wait – it’s nothing but chicken soup tonight. As I move to the cabinet to bring down a can of

no knock?” I

a moment, confused.

Victor. I

dismissive, and closes the door. “Where are the

to head home – I know you were

he says, suddenly tense. “They’re sick?

“It’s not a big deal, Victor. They’re

to take off his coat, heading for the

“I don’t know –“

didn’t take their

out two seconds ago, Victor!” I chase him to the staircase. “I’ve barely had time to breathe, let

thermometer!” A command,

and head back into the kitchen, opening

his hands. “No, daddy,” Ian says, whining. “It doesn’t go under my

Victor murmurs, “temperatures are taken under

Alvin cries, his illness making him

taking the thermometer out of Victor’s hands. “They’re right, it’s a new kind of thermometer. It’s not 1950 anymore.” Ian obligingly

103. “Is that, um…is that high?”

not too

blankets like little mummies so they can hardly move. Neither

stands between their beds a little helplessly, watching me

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