#Chapter 165 – The Cabin in the Woods

The plan comes together swiftly in the night, snapping into place almost as if it had already been there in each of their hearts. The simplicity of it astounds Evelyn, even as they spend the rest of the evening working out the details and figuring out how, precisely, they would put it into action.

Ian falls asleep that night from sheer exhaustion. Evelyn hadn’t bothered to exclude him from the conversation. She had asked him not to tell Alvin and Ian where they were or what they were up to, and her only choice now was to trust that he would. She wasn’t going to live her life keeping things from his son once he’d promised her his secrecy.

Alvin had contacted him once in the night, but Ian didn’t tell Evelyn. She hadn’t made him promise that he would tell her – the boys were entitled to their own lives, their own secrets.

Ian had felt the question come into his mind, tinged with Alvin’s thoughts and emotions – sorrow, apology, and curiosity, as well as longing. The boys missed each other. It was hard to be apart.

Ian had responded as cheerfully as he could, working hard to show Alvin happy pictures of their mom and aunties talking to each other excitedly. He wanted to show his brother that they were all okay, that they were working on something.

Hesitant, Alvin did ask to know where they were, but Ian told him that he couldn’t say. Their mom had asked him not to, and he promised he would, and he was determined to keep his word. Alvin let him know that he understood and trusted him.

They parted with love and, feeling better, Ian quickly fell into a happy sleep.

Evelyn looks at him now, brushing his hair away from his face, wondering what he really makes of it all. Her little boys would be seven soon – she couldn’t believe it. And then the rest of their lives would unfold so quickly. Perhaps, though, by including them in their little war room, Evelyn was doing her own part to show him what life might be like in his future as an Alpha.

After all, they were making plans to overthrow a pack and take the control for themselves. It was precisely the kind of thing that he’d be facing in his future, either as the aggressor or the defender.

They all fall asleep exhausted but happy. In the morning, they wake with new enthusiasm, ready to put their plans into action.

The four pack the cars quickly, leaving at dawn, heading north. Evelyn laughs a little as she thinks about their direction, realizing that she’s going right back into the lion’s den by heading back to their city, back to their home, and that she was giving Victor every chance to find her.

But still, for their plan to be work, they had to be within 45 minutes of the Walsh estate.

Delia had found them a good spot. A cabin in the woods, found on a vacation rental website. It was nothing like the rustic cabins that they had been to when they were camping with Victor, but was instead a modern a-frame house with floor-to-ceiling windows, wifi, and every amenity known to man.

They had called the owner from the office phone the night before, slipping the manager $20 to make himself scarce for a few minutes. Once they got him on the phone, Delia had asked the cabin’s owner if he’d rent the place to them discreetly and with cash. He’d asked for 20% more than the quoted price online for the inconvenience and Evelyn had readily agreed.

After all, one thing they had in abundance was cash.

how, precisely, the Walsh packed worked and what its weaknesses were. Their whole lives, Emma and Evelyn had been studying the pack quietly, not really knowing

their father and Joyce would

the driveway of the cabin, nodding approvingly at the

of the car. “This is so great!” He takes off into the surrounding woods, exploring the wealth of rocks, trees, and wildlife waiting for him

a strong kid. No one was around to trouble him and she had to trust him to take

Emma to carry the loads of groceries they had picked up in the

opening the door with a code provided by the landlord, Evelyn smiles at the spark of hope curling in her chest. This was going to work, she just knew it. And she couldn’t wait

missing her other son, from wondering about Victor and what he wanted from his life, about what the hell she was going to do

very important questions, Evelyn concentrates instead on

ready for this?” Evelyn says quietly to her sister, watching

and then looks at Evelyn. “You really think

and turns to face her sister. She’s been called out because – well, yes. She had been thinking that she was the brave sister, wondering what she could do for Emma to chuff her

to think

on her face. “Yes. But….?” She raises an eyebrow, waiting for

you do this years ago? Why didn’t you run, or ruin him? You’ve always had the power to

fridge unpacking the groceries.

hands by stirring the

think I may have loved her…well, always.” She peeks up at Evelyn, who

into her sister’s hair. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s weird,” she says, and Emma pulls back to

didn’t even know you guys knew

her mistake and laughs with her sister, returning her

the happy scene,” Delia says, rising from her place on the floor and putting her hands on her hips. “But do we want to make…the phone call? Before he comes back?” She nods towards the back door,

Then she goes to the door and calls to her son, who she sees come running towards them. When Delia raises an eyebrow at her, Evelyn just shrugs.

as well, having no real reason to protest. Then Delia nods, pulling out the burner

“Ready?” Delia asks.

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