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.

Daddy?” I ask once Eve’s

shyly up at me. “In

the little girl closely. She’s wearing exactly the same expression my other pups don when they’ve been making mischief. “And how did you get

grin, she explains, “I couldn’ help

what?” | reply, arching

urge to smile.

left me with Mr. Frank, and he never lets me

was Ethan’s personal bodyguard and now probably performs the same role for Paisley, I press, “So

grin,

probably handcuffed to the steering wheel. “Am I to understand that you snuck away from your minder, young

answers with

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.

find me.” She argues, resting her soft cheek on my shoulder as if the matter has

I hope I always am here to find you.” I murmur. “But there are

listening. She’ s too busy snuggling in for a nap, as

hers. Paisley sighs contentedly when she gets comfortable, her sweet breath ruffling my hair. “You smell

in her pure, fresh scent. “So

through a wide yawn. Poor thing, I think, she’s

lunch.” I decide, moving towards

“And another time,” she shares, recalling stories from

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

some juice before looking at me intently. After a moment she cocks her head to the side in the exact same way Riley does when she’s thinking

in my chest, how does

“Where

regret the question the moment the words leave

sorrowful I want to kick myself. “I

her.”

about to apologize, both for my question and her loss, when an idea strikes the pup and she looks up at me in