Pregnant With Alpha’s Genius Twins

#Chapter 171 – Good friends in tough places

Delia scrambles, her vision darkening as Joyce squeezes her throat even tighter. She can’t think – can’t breathe –

All she can do is look into his cruel face, his teeth elongating before her eyes, his rage overtaking his desire for information –

Then, suddenly, there’s a crash and the pressure on her throat lessens –

Delia gasps, welcoming the fresh rush of oxygen that floods her throat, falling to her knees. Her hands go directly to her neck, soothing her wounded skin, but she frantically looks around, trying to figure out what –

There – on the floor, Joyce, his eyes closed and his mouth open – glass and liquid scattered all over his back and around him – as Delia, breathes her nose smarts at the scent –

Delia’s eye flit upwards to see Cliff standing there, the neck of a broken liquor bottle in his hand, staring down at Joyce.

“Knew he was trouble,” Cliff says quietly, “the moment he walked in.”

Delia can’t help the shocked little laugh that comes out of her then. Cliff looks at her then, shaking his head, offering a hand to help her up.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Yeah,” she says, her knees shaking a little. “I wasn’t…expecting it to go so bad so fast.”

Cliff just shrugs. “I don’t like it when strangers come in and mess with my favorite customers.”

Truly touched, Delia suddenly wraps her arms around him in thanks. She and Evelyn had been coming here for years, and while they had quickly developed an affection for the gruff bartender, they had never known it to be reciprocated.

Cliff hesitates for a moment and then pats Delia on the back. “There there,” he says, awkwardly, as if he can’t think of anything else to say.

Delia laughs and pushes away. “Do you want to help me with one last thing?”

Cliff glances around the room at the customers who are studiously minding their own business and then nods.

“Okay,” Delia says, walking to stand at Joyce’s feet. “You take the front, I take the back. We have to get him to my trunk.”

the back. Don’t want to upset the customers

boss,” she says as she leans down to

Victor is surprised to see that Alvin is still up, helping Victor to keep organized while he makes plans to shut down the little cottage and move to the Beta camp for the

the necessary cars, Victor leans down and crooks a finger at Alvin, asking him to come

then dashes over to his father. “Ready for duty, sir!” Alvin says, shooting

still doing up?” Victor asks, working to keep his face

at him, confused.

“Yes, you’re being very helpful,” he says. “But aren’t you tired? You’re a civilian, son – you’re not required to help

nods firmy, looking up at his father with determination. “I want to help,” he

goes to one knee in front of his son, putting a hand on his shoulder. “And I appreciate your help, son,” he says, “but you haven’t to remember that you’re only

seven!” Alvin interrupts, seeing where

quite a bit younger than even our youngest recruit. You have to take care of

nods, understanding. “But I’m not

and knows this is a bit of a lie – Alvin’s clearly running on adrenaline. But, he’s also the heir to the pack. Victor isn’t going to stop him from participating

a moment,

complicated. What, really, was he going to do with his

says. “We’re going to the camp tonight – the Betas and I. So that we can make a big push in a few days.

Alvin nods eagerly, understanding.

drops, knowing what’s coming next. “Alvin,” Victor continues, “I want you to stay here. With Burton, and aunt

falls further, growing pale with disappointment – but then, Victor

and stomping his foot. “No, I’m going with you.

course he can stop him – but

there – he’s going to be right there with

considers this. “Well, that’s true. But if it were up to me, I’d make sure Ian stayed home too, safe and sound.

just kids, dad,” Alvin says, his voice softer, though his face is still

blinks at this.

do things, papa. We can help you – we helped you at the trial

“entering an active war zone