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?” I

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

I say carefully, “I

give her a half smile, 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

reaction is surprise but….I feel like there’s a small part of her that’s enjoying this. “I want to do everything I can, going forward,” I say, clutching my warm mug, “to support

stares a me a moment and then her face breaks into a very small, very

smiling, and then turn

surprise, truly shocked. I

“What for?”

over her knees. “I could have been kinder to you, to

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

try to be better friends. And to start,” she smiles over the rim of her

a little. “With Edgar? Oh geeze,

me a real smile

bashful. “It’s going…I mean, great, I suppose.

Amelia says, “don’t get mad at me. But that you’ve…moved

confirmation. “Yeah, I’m not really known for holding back, when I feel

cozies into her chair, clearly enjoying

Like he’s not just…a f**k, for lack of

you?” She suggests. I nod,

nose and leans forward

tumbles out of my

She says, grinning at me. “He’s got a really

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

Girlfriend secrets, shared around a campfire!

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 if this woman had kidnapped my kids.