#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.

have to go. Can

she told him about his grandchildren? Or did she keep it a secret from him, like she did from you? Is

the boys secret

Victor says, giving her a swift kiss and

and closing the door behind

rubbing his eyes. I finish chopping the bell pepper and drop it into the sizzling pan before crouching down so that I’m on

glassy eyes. “Open your mouth, stick out your tongue,” I say. He does so and I note that his throat is inflamed. “What

says, rubbing his eyes. “And I am all

inseparable twins have shared this as well. Sure enough, Alvin comes into the kitchen flushed and grumpy. “Do

sweaty boys close for a moment and then stand up. “Okay, boys,

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

they 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 soup, the back door opens and Victor

no knock?”

for a

narrow my eyes. “It’s my house, Victor. I live here, I

dismissive, and closes the

head home – I know you were scheduled for a visit, but

suddenly tense. “They’re sick? With what?

am surprised by this sudden worry. “It’s not a big deal, Victor. They’re just not feeling well –

they have fevers?” He moves to take off his coat, heading

“I don’t know –“

didn’t take their

him to

thermometer!” A command, not

even though he can’t see me anymore and head back into the kitchen, opening the soup and pouring it into a pot to heat quickly. Ten minutes later, with two bowls on a try, I head

room, the plastic thermometer in his hands. “No, daddy,” Ian says, whining. “It doesn’t

ridiculous,” Victor murmurs, “temperatures are taken under

his illness making him impatient. “You’re

I say, putting the tray down and 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 turns his ear to me

103. “Is that, um…is that high?” Victor asks, clearly

well. “But not too high.” Alvin’s

tightly into their beds, wrapping them in blankets like little mummies so they

helplessly, watching me work. “What do we

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