Pregnant With Alpha’s Genius Twins

#Chapter 97 – Alone

Victor stands alone on a terrace facing the waterfall, a large glass of whiskey in his hand. He stands close to the railing, his eyes closed, savoring the feeling of the spray on his face.

He does his very best, in this moment, to feel nothing, lest his emotions completely overwhelm him. He breathes a sigh through gritted teeth, and then a laugh.

He is an Alpha, for god’s sake. He is supposed to be better at this, at controlling himself, his situation, his world. Or even, at the bare minimum, his emotions.

But he feels, truly, that if he feels even one thing in this moment, that the tumult of everything in his life, everything he wants to feel and has been pressing down, will overwhelm him, and he’ll just collapse.

Victor steels himself against this, imagining that his bones are titanium, and around them his muscles are iron, that he’s complete and indestructible and strong.

It helps. For now, at least, it helps. He feels like he can handle it all again, for this moment, at least.

Opening his eyes, he laughs a small, sardonic laugh. He imagines that his therapist, wherever she is, would tell him to let himself feel his feelings. That he’s just been through a very difficult and traumatic day and that he needs to recognize that, to give himself some grace.

He’s an Alpha, but he’s still a person, she would say.

Evelyn flashes to his mind in the moment and he smiles, knowing that she would probably say the same thing.

These therapists, all alike.

Still, the thought of her, smiling at him, giving him her own strength, fortifies him.

“Victor?” He turns, blinking, surprised to hear a voice. He asked not to be disturbed.

The past few hours had been a whirlwind – hotel staff wanting direction, Amelia’s father’s rage at being denied an audience, speaking briefly to Beta Stephen about the draft of a press relief. This is the first moment he’s been able to be alone, and he had savored it.

Still, he knows that voice, and is unsurprised to see his mother walking towards him.

“Victor?” she asks again, her voice worried. “Are you all right?”

He puts out an arm and his mother tucks herself into it, wrapping him in a hug of her own. He lets her hold him, for a moment, before straightening himself. “I’m fine, mom. It’s been…well, you know. It’s been quite a day.”

says, looking up at him with such kindness in her

him wants to go to pieces before his mother – he knows she would let him. But

her hands. “For your people. I know it is hard, but you

The opposite advice of his therapist, but it’s advice that best matches his instincts and experience as

you’ve lost a lot of face, today, with the media, and with your people. And your reputation has suffered over the past months, with Walsh and Willard interfering in your

nods, grateful for his mother, who has always talked straight to him. “I know, mother. I’m…becoming newly aware. I’ve

Amelia was the first step.” She

eyes, his own brow raised, surprised. “I always thought you

selfish, too determined to privilege herself, to be the right one for you. Her person

mother says the words as gently as she can, but there is steel to her voice as well. Victor nods, grateful for his confirmation of her

all business. She steps forward to straighten his tie. “Amelia has left, and I thought you should know.” He nods, grateful again for

make sure he passes muster. “They are going to pressure you to talk to the press, to make big decisions.” She folds her arms and holds his gaze. “I won’t tell you what to do, Victor. But stick to your guns before them. You are

feeling his hackles rise.

says, brushing his cheek softly with her hand and then turning away. “No matter what, I am on your side,” she

as always. As she breezes off the terrace, his brother storms

for you, Victor.

them as they swiftly

from Victor as if he can’t stand the sight of his face. “Rejecting that perfectly acceptable woman like

had to be done,” Victor

have done it in private, away from prying eyes and the press.” He presses a hand to

knowledge that his father can’t see him. Victor’s lips curl back, giving his brother a silent snarl. As if Rafe hasn’t done anything but be an embarrassment his entire

waiting,” his father says, gesturing back towards the inside of the venue. “They want a

says, taking a much-needed sip of his whiskey. “They’ve got enough to chew on for

control the narrative –“ his father

say now,” Victor interrupts, his own voice angry, “will become part of the narrative. I’ll issue a statement in a few days when things have calmed down. It is a circus now, and I will not

I was you,” Rafe says, his voice

hard decision in his life. So excuse

ruined Amelia’s life enough for one day – I don’t need to make any