Pregnant With Alpha’s Genius Twins

#Chapter 46 – Running Free

I watch Victor and the boys disappear into the forest, wringing my hands. Of course, I always knew the day would come when they went out into the darkness and explored their identities as wolves but…well, they’re very young. I thought I had years left.

“They’ll be fine,” Edgar says, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Victor will protect them, and we’ve got Betas…everywhere.”

“No, I know,” I say, looking out into the darkness. “I know, logically, that everything’s going to be fine. They’re just…babies.”

“My first run was about this age,” Edgar says, his face serious.

“Really?” I say, turning to look up at him. “I was much older.”

“You were an Alpha’s favorite daughter,” he smiles down at me. “Of course they kept you home as long as they could.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “How did you know I was my dad’s favorite?”

He laughs and kisses my forehead. “How could you not be. Come on, come back to the fire where it’s warm.”

Edgar is right – I am getting chilly. But I turn back to the darkness. “Just a few more minutes,” I say. “I’ll come back soon.”

He nods and heads back to the orange glow, where Amelia sits looking at her phone. “I’ll set up the cots so you can turn in when you’re ready,” he says. I squeeze his hand as he goes.

Sighing, I stare out into the darkness of the trees, peering through them to see if I can catch some starlight. Moonrise is soon and it will be full and bright. At least my boys have a beautiful night for it. I close my eyes for a moment, breathing in the fresh mountain air. I can’t believe, just two nights ago…

But no, I shake my head, dismissing the thought. It won’t do any good to dwell on that horror.

I turn back towards the fire, walking carefully around it and settling into my chair. “Did you know he had this planned?” I ask Amelia, leaning forward and prodding the logs with a stick.

“Nope!” She says, painting a sarcastic smile onto her face. “Victor doesn’t tell me anything anymore,” she mutters. She holds her phone up far over her head and slowly moves it around, staring at the screen. “I think he took us camping in the last place in America where there’s no cell service. I hate it here.”

She sighs and brings her phone down to her lap. I give her a smile and peak at the tin mug on her chair’s arm.

want a refill?”

buttercup,” she says, flashing me a thumbs-up while she scrolls through photos on her phone. I laugh and comply, mixing apple cider from a nearby kettle with a generous portion of whiskey. I mix myself the same, savoring the sweetness and the

I say carefully, “I wanted to apologize to

feeling contrite. “I know that the boys and I came into your life like a hurricane and really messed up a lot of your plans. I don’t think that I have been…respectful enough of that. I’m

feel like there’s a small part of her that’s enjoying this. “I want to do

a moment and then her face breaks into a very small, very fragile smile. “Okay. Thanks, Evelyn, I…well, it’s really nice to hear

and then turn

she whispers. I blink in surprise, truly shocked.

“What for?”

the blanket over her knees. “I could have been kinder

have been a tall ask,” I say, laughing a little. “I don’t think you should

start,” she smiles over the rim

laugh, and blush a little. “With Edgar? Oh

me a real smile and laughing with me. “We’re girlfriends now, after

with her and shrug, bashful. “It’s going…I mean, great,

get mad at me. But

I’m not really known for holding back, when I

into her chair, clearly enjoying a good gossip. I do

he’s not

I nod, happy at the

wrinkles her nose and leans forward conspiratorially. “He was always

out of my throat, surprised and thrilled.

at me. “He’s

I say, devolving into laughter. “Oh my god, I’m

secrets, shared around a campfire! Don’t

laugh together and, in this moment, I really do feel like we’re friends. I marvel at the feeling as we continue to chat, warmed by the fire and each other’s company. Only a few weeks ago, I wondered