The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Chapter 6 I found Mommy

Riley doesn’t own a dress like that, and even if she did, she’s with Linda and her brothers across town. It can only mean one thing.

Paisley.

Paisley is every bit as perfect as I always imagined.

Linda has helped me keep up with everything happening in my daughter’s life over the years, sending plenty of photos

illustrating how much she’s grown, but nothing compares to seeing her in the flesh. I can scarcely believe this is real.

Only, Paisley doesn’t look quite like she did in the last pictures I received. She’s pale and thin, her heart condition is clearly costing her dearly, sapping her strength and energy.

My heart aches for my young daughter, and my pain deepens when Paisley gazes up at me with wide eyes, her plump lower lip quivering. “I can’t find my Daddy.”

Kneeling down to her eye level, I graze my knuckles across her soft cheek. “Don’t worry, little one. We’ll find your Daddy.”

My daughter leans forward and wraps her tiny arms around my neck without hesitation, hugging me tightly. “Thank you!”

My throat feels thick with emotion, and I have to fight to keep

tears from my eyes as I return Paisley’s embrace. Lifting the precious bundle off the ground and cuddling her close, I scan the street around us for signs of my ex-husband. Though |

fully intend on returning my pup to Ethan, I can’t allow him to see me.

He can’t know I’m alive, and while my custom perfume might hide my scent from everyone else and convince them I’m an alpha, I seriously doubt my former mate will be fooled. After all, he is a true alpha, the most powerful leader the Nightfang pack has seen in generations.

Striding away down the street, i fantasize about running away with my daughter this very moment. If I did, my young family could be reunited within the hour. My other pups don’t even know that they have a sister, and I despise keeping them apart.

Of course, if I took Paisley now then she wouldn’t be able to get her surgery. I might be able to afford the most cutting edge medical care now that my fragrance empire is so successful, but there is only one surgeon in the world who can perform the procedure my daughter requires, and he is firmly in Ethan’s pocket.

see your Daddy?” I ask once Eve’s atelier is

peeks shyly up at

exactly the same expression my other pups don when they’ve been making mischief. “And how did you

an impish grin, she explains,

| reply, arching my

urge to smile.

was bored!” Paisley bursts. “Daddy left me with Mr.

that Frank was Ethan’s personal bodyguard and now probably performs the same role for

mischievous grin, “the

I proclaim. If Paisley is anything like her brothers and sister, Frank is probably handcuffed to the steering wheel. “Am I to understand

Paisley answers with

car.” I frown, leveling her with my best ‘stern mom’ look. As thrilled as I am to be holding my baby in my arms at long last, I can’t help but think of what might have happened if I hadn’t come along. “But running off was very dangerous, my love. What if someone bad found you

me.” She argues, resting her soft cheek on

you.” I murmur. “But there are never any guarantees in life. You

my daughter isn’t listening. She’ s too busy snuggling in

contentedly when she gets comfortable, her sweet

her temple, I breathe in her pure, fresh scent. “So do you.” I

trying to speak through a wide yawn. Poor thing, I think, she’s had so

some lunch.” I decide, moving towards a small

me positively overflowing with excitement. “And another time,” she shares, recalling stories from her young life, “Daddy and I wen’ to the zoo and I

her relationship with Ethan. I know I did the right thing leaving Paisley with him, but I can’t rest until

agrees, gulping down some juice before looking at me intently. After a moment she cocks her head to the side in the

stops in my chest, how does she know that? “I do?”

“Where

the moment the

looks so sorrowful I want

her.”

both for my question and her loss, when an idea strikes the pup and she looks up at me in excitement, “Can you be