#Chapter 204 – Preparations

Closing his eyes, Victor takes a deep breath as he settles back into the chair at the little makeshift desk in the living room – the same makeshift command room that he and Alvin had set up before going away to war on Walsh.

God damnit, how long ago had that been, when his son had helped him organize his papers? When Evelyn and Ian had been horribly gone, and he had wondered if he would ever give them back?

Victor shakes his head, working to dismiss the memories, but they’re persistent. So he leans his head back on the chair and works to take a few cleansing breaths, clearing his mind.

Damn it, but he was tired. Bone tired.

Of course, he feels infinitely better than he had felt yesterday, and the days before that, when he’d been dying. But this current state…it wasn’t strong. This morning, when he’d awoken with Evelyn, he had felt like he could move worlds, had felt so happy and revived.

But now, in the late afternoon of that first day back to himself, he’s coming to realize just how weak his body really is. Gone is the vigor of his Alpha strength, which used to carry him for hours on very little sleep.

Now, he feels like he could sleep for days and still not feel replenished.

Opening his eyes, Victor looks into the kitchen where Evelyn is sitting with the boys, calmly chatting with them over cups of cocoa. She’d spent the entire day within an arm’s reach of them, not able to get enough hugs and kisses and pats and passing touches to fill her weary heart.

Guilt pangs through Victor as he realizes this. Evelyn hadn’t left his side for days – for more than a week. The boys had been stoic, of course – had borne the lack of their mother and father as bravely as two six-year-old boys could.

But now, seeing her wrapped up in them, Victor realizes how much she gave him in these past days. Just how much she was willing to sacrifice to pull him through.

Those children were her world, and she had left them to be by his side.

And then, what she had done last night…what she had taken on, half of his illness, giving him half of her life – risking everything just to give him the chance to live.

back tears of guilt and gratitude and love and joy and fear. God damnit, how

from the table with a smirk on her face. Then, very simply, she

through him at that. He hadn’t been aware that he

ability to make him laugh even in the darkest moments

smirk off her mouth with his own,

how big the diamond. He will be forever in her debt and will

they’ll live long enough

turning away from the macabre thought. There’s work to be done, no matter how tired he is. Rafe strides through the front door in that moment and Victor is glad to see him. Rafe’s appearance means news and Victor is glad of

not burst into the smile that’s lurking

Rafe to break and laugh. Rafe tosses the papers on the desk, flopping himself in a chair pulled up close, one leg draped

your breath on that one, Victor,” Rafe says, giving up all the pretense of Alpha formality. He frowns, then, studying his brother’s

glare before reaching for the papers. He’s not fine – he knows

here any minute,” Rafe says, looking towards the door. “The press is going a bit wild, you know, reporting on the fall of the Walsh

back. Let them spin their stories and their rumors. But Annabeth – letting her in on the details will be productive. She can decide what to tell the press and when –

quiet, watching Victor thumb through

this,” Victor says after a few more moments of contemplation, “is

assigned

her face again. The problem is, if we give her enough time to do it, she’ll attach herself to another pack, another Alpha, and get their protection. Maybe even make us go to

nods, considering. “So, what

his head to his brother and shrugs ruefully. “Honestly, should we get Burton on the case?” He shoots a glance at the butler, studiously washing dishes in the kitchen. “He seems to be three steps ahead of everyone

looking at the enigma in the kitchen. “It can’t

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