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.”

with such kindness in her face.

pieces before his mother – he knows

her hands. “For your people. I know it

therapist, but it’s advice that best matches his instincts and experience as an Alpha, at

pulling away from him. “But 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

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

“Getting rid of Amelia was the first step.” She hesitates, and then nods. “You

eyes, his own brow raised, surprised.

to be too selfish, too determined to privilege herself, to be the right one for you. Her person may have called to you, and I understand that but…she

the words as gently as she can, but there is steel to her voice

tie. “Amelia has left, and I thought you should know.” He nods, grateful again for

are coming out here in a minute,” she continues, surveying him to 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

hackles rise. “Thank

She says, brushing his cheek softly with her hand and then turning away. “No matter what, I am on your side,” she calls over her shoulder as she heads in

breezes off the terrace, his brother storms out, wheeling

his father snarls. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you, Victor.

watching them as they swiftly approach, their faces

Victor as if he can’t stand the sight of

to be

eyes snapping to Victor. “You should have done it in private, away from

Victor’s lips curl back, giving his brother

back towards the inside of the venue.

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

must control the narrative –“ his father

issue a statement in a few days when things have calmed down. It is

a statement, if I was you,” Rafe says, his voice smug. “I’d make sure Amelia didn’t

never had to make a hard decision in his life. So excuse

“I’ve ruined Amelia’s life enough for one day – I don’t need to make any statements to stop her from scrabbling for whatever ground she