#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.

I have to go. Can you just

grandchildren? Or did she keep it a secret from him, like she did from you? Is there any

have kept the boys secret from everyone, and an Alpha

giving her a swift

tonight,” she murmurs, blowing on her coffee and closing the door behind him,

feel good,” Ian’s voice is whiny as he wanders into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. I finish chopping

ask, opening my arms. Ian comes forward and I look over his clammy skin, his glassy eyes. “Open your mouth, stick out your tongue,” I say. He does so and I

he says, rubbing his eyes. “And I

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

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

protest – they hate going to bed early under all conditions –

nothing but

knock?”

me for a moment, confused. “What?

eyes. “It’s my house, Victor. I

closes the door. “Where

might want to head home – I know you were scheduled for a visit,

he says, suddenly tense. “They’re

not a big deal, Victor. They’re just not feeling well – it’s

to take off his coat, heading for the

“I don’t know –“

take their

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

you’re thermometer!” A command, not a

he can’t see me anymore and head back into the kitchen, opening

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

Victor murmurs, “temperatures are taken under

cries, his illness making him impatient.

hands. “They’re right, it’s a new kind of thermometer. It’s not 1950 anymore.” Ian obligingly turns his ear to me and I place

103.

not too high.” Alvin’s temperature matches Ian’s as it always does. Another solid

them in blankets like little mummies so they can hardly

helplessly, watching me work. “What

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