#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.

gratitude and love and joy and fear. God damnit, how can

face. Then, very simply, she sends

that echoes through him at that. He hadn’t been aware that he had broadcasted his thoughts to Evelyn in that moment

moments of his life. She turns her attention

mouth with his own, with a kiss that told her

paying her back – ever – is impossible, no matter how big the diamond. He will be forever in her debt and will

hopes that they’ll live long enough to do

be done, no matter how tired he is. Rafe strides through the front door in

Alpha-serious and not burst into the smile that’s

causing Rafe to break and laugh. Rafe tosses the papers

on that one, Victor,” Rafe says, giving up all

before reaching for the papers. He’s not fine – he knows that he’ll need to rest before long – but

a bit wild, you know, reporting on the fall of

Not until he gets his strength back. Let them spin their

watching Victor thumb through

what I’m getting from this,” Victor says after a few more moments of contemplation, “is that we

the side and nods ruefully. “She’s had time, Victor. Our forces were distracted – we left almost no one assigned to these alternate projects while we went to war. She was either lucky or she planned it that way. She just slipped

last,” he murmurs. “She’ll show 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

considering. “So, what do you want to

turns 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

the enigma in the kitchen. “It can’t hurt,” he

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