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.”

darling,” she says, looking up at him with such kindness in

steels himself again. Part of him wants to go to pieces before his mother – he knows she would let him. But

to stay strong,” she whispers, tugging firmly on his shirt in her hands. “For your people. I know it is hard, but

opposite advice of his therapist, but it’s advice that

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 life. People are beginning to think you are

who has always talked straight to him. “I know, mother. I’m…becoming newly aware. I’ve got to get my

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

brow raised, surprised.

shrugs. “I like anyone who loves my son, who is his mate. But in the end, she turned out to be too selfish, too determined to privilege herself, to be the

but there is steel to her voice

steps forward to straighten his tie. “Amelia has left, and I thought you should know.” He

your brother 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

hackles

“No matter what, I am on your side,” she calls over

timing is impeccable, as always. As she breezes off the terrace,

“We’ve been looking everywhere for you, Victor. What are

them as they swiftly

father growls, shaking his head and looking away from Victor as if he can’t stand the sight of his face. “Rejecting that perfectly

had to be

it in private, away from prying eyes and the

lips curl back, giving his brother a silent

father says, gesturing back towards the inside of the

anyone,” Victor says, taking a much-needed sip of

narrative

part of the narrative. I’ll issue a statement in a few days when things have calmed down. It

says, his voice smug. “I’d make sure Amelia didn’t get

him, condescending. “You’re just the third son, who has never had to make a hard decision in his

away from them slightly, contemplative. “I’ve ruined Amelia’s life enough for one day – I don’t need to make any