Pregnant With Alpha’s Genius Twins

#Chapter 174 – Tea Time

A few hours later, Evelyn and Ian are seated in front of the fire in the parlor, apparently having a perfectly pleasant, if perfectly quiet, day. She sits on a chaise lounge close to the warmth, quietly peeling an orange and looking at a home and garden magazine.

Ian, on the floor, works to put together a children’s puzzle. Once, just once, he looks up at his mom, his face a little pained.

She gives him a wink and a little smile, letting him know that she knows he’s bored. But still, they have roles to play. He sighs and turns back to his boring puzzle, wishing he was doing anything else.

As she waits for the next shoe to drop, Evelyn patiently mulls over the information that Ian gave her. What the hell was Victor even doing?

It was clear, from what Ian had said, that Victor had somehow decided that now was the time to move on Willard and Walsh, to declare official war against them and take it to the battlefield.

But why now? She grits her teeth silently, frustrated. His little plan for pack dominance actually conflicted with her own. It had been her plan – and Emma’s and Delia’s, of course – to move today to take over the Walsh pack.

But nooooo. Victor had to interfere.

She supposed, ultimately, that she didn’t care who deposed her father and Joyce – as long as they were deposed. Still, things were changing – Victor’s choice had changed things. She had to get in touch with Emma and Delia to let them know that the situation had changed, if not the plan itself.

And, she had to get in touch with Victor too, to let him know that if he’s going to move now, then he needs to move now. The one piece of the puzzle that Victor doesn’t know is his extreme advantage in this moment, when Joyce was out of the picture.

If he waited – even a few days – he could lose that advantage. Evelyn sincerely hoped he didn’t – the fact that Joyce was still missing meant that Delia and Emma had him trapped. But Joyce was wily – there was no guarantee that they could keep him trapped for long.

Still, to get these messages out without risking her father suspecting it was her that did it? Their timing had to be perfect. So, she and Ian would wait.

As she finishes peeling her orange, Evelyn considers her son, playing with the puzzle on the floor. It’s far too easy for him – he’s taken it apart and put it together about three times – but he’s being such a good sport. She can’t help smiling at him then, her little sneaky squirrel.

She pops a slice of orange in her mouth, considering their choices. It was a sticky situation into which they’d gotten themselves – an unexpected battle was coming, and it looks like they were going to be at the middle of it, which is precisely where she did not want her child to be.

was his pack. Or, at least, it would be, one day. If there was going to be a fight for its future, then perhaps

his side. Alvin would be terribly jealous if Ian got to go to

opens, then, and a maid

raising her

her an apologetic look. “Your father asked that

flashes her a grin, excited. She had told him, earlier in the day, that if

they walk right in

casually, shooting her a glance. “I didn’t know you were in here. You may join us for tea, of course.” The two men settle themselves in

inside she hisses liar. He knew exactly where they were, had the tea sent in

there any donuts?” Ian asks, dashing over to the cart to

the boy. “This is a classic English

eyeing the crisp

protest that he’d like to try a cup but

Walsh says, putting the teapot back in its spot. “Why don’t you tell us why

of her chair.

your story,” Walsh says, his voice low. “Abuse, seeking safe haven. It’s just all a little convenient that you arrive just as Victor decides to mobilize

gasps, enjoying the performance perhaps a

says, infusing his voice with fear and cowering away from the tea tray. They had decided, earlier, in the room, to stick to their original story: that Victor was cruel to

Willard glare

all too neat. We know you’re up to something,

herself on the ottoman at her father’s feet. “Have you considered that I have nothing to do with it? That he’s coming like he did last time, to steal

her. Willard,

us where Joyce is,” he barks. “We know that you’ve had something to do