Pregnant With Alpha’s Genius Twins

#Chapter 111 – The Return of John Walsh

“Evelyn,” my father says, his face cold as he embraces me with one arm and places a stiff kiss on my cheek. “Happy holidays.”

He doesn’t look at me, but instead around at my party with distaste. Bridgette’s formal party, indoors, is more his style.

“Evelyn, did you do all of this?” My mother says, wrapping me in a warm hug and laughing as she looks around. “Darling, it looks wonderful –“

“That’s enough.” My father snaps. My mother cringes a little, like a scolded dog. It breaks my heart to see her this way.

“I’m glad you like it, mom. Come on, let’s get you a drink.” I put an arm around her shoulder and lead her away.

“He’s just under a lot of pressure, Evelyn,” my mom says softly, looking back over at my father as we cross to the bar. “You shouldn’t take him seriously when he –“

“Treats you like crap?” I interrupt, sick with disgust. “You deserve so much better than this, mom,” I say, lifting a glass of red wine off of a waiting tray. “You shouldn’t have to put up with that.”

“It’s so much more complicated than that, my dear,” my mother says, putting a hand on my cheek before accepting the glass. “You’ll see, when you’re made Luna.”

I blush and shake my head. “No, mom,” I say, looking around. “You misunderstand, this is just a favor –“

“This is –“ my mother says, halting me with a gentle hand on my wrist. “The life we raised you to. And Victor is precisely the husband I’d have chosen for you, if I’d had my way.”

I shake my head, looking at the ground. “Please, mom,” I say, suddenly exhausted. “It’s…so much more complicated than that.”

“Which is precisely how I feel,” she says to me, gently. I look up to meet her eyes, understanding. My father is a jerk, but she’s right – it’s not so black and white.

I take a glass of champagne off of the tray and clink it against hers, acknowledging that she has a point. “Tell me everything,” I say, wrapping my arm around her waist. “How is home? How is Emma?”

night, Victor keeping a close eye on Bridgette’s party, on his brother, and,

as she flits around the party, chatting with guests and making sure everything is running smooth. Her upbringing as an Alpha’s prized daughter is evident here, as she is almost instinctually attuned to the needs of her party. She manages the staff with ease, intuits the shifting mood of the guests and responds to it with small changes. She has a word

shakes his head slowly as he watches her, marveling. Truly, he had thought Amelia an expert at this kind of work, but Amelia’s efforts were studied, learned, calculated. Whereas Amelia’s false smile would fall away the moment she turned away from one

to him

left behind seem to be eyeing the front door, looking forward to heading home. It seems that the majority

champagne was not cold. Your little woman, though,” he says, looking Evelyn up

as John Walsh comes up the porch steps and approaches the two Kensington men. “Victor, Henry,” he says, nodding to each. “A lovely if…unique evening, if we’ve ever had one.” He looks directly at Henry now. “Thank you, in

feels his hackles rise. Walsh was looking over the Kensington

a pleasant Evening,” Victor says, his face stony. “Too bad it’s coming to

I get a

and glancing at the clock – it’s very nearly midnight – Victor nods and leads Walsh away from his father, unwilling to let

a quiet spot on the far side

at this man. Walsh smirks at him, taking a sip of champagne. “A very valuable piece of property, lifted straight from her

your

“She is a high-ranking member of my pack, under my protection and care. And yet she is here, acting as your Luna,

bringing his face close to Victor’s, deliberately baiting him. “Shall I send you a bill, then, for her

back from

Because, my boy, if you decide

rage that builds on Victor’s

Walsh. Victor can see that Walsh is surprised by this. Indeed, Walsh has always had the upper hand in these situations, and Victor

But not anymore.

played this game with Willard,” Victor growls. “I’ve tried coming to terms, Alpha-to-Alpha, in order to exchange Evelyn, to bring her under my power.