The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Chapter 18 Hide and Seek

Looking around nervously to ensure no one is watching, I lean down and scoop my daughter up. Mark will never know the difference between her and Riley, and as long as Ethan cannot see me, it should be safe for me to steal a moment with the beloved pup.

Excusing myself, I retreat to one of the classrooms down the hall. A few minutes ago I told myself I would turn her away again if we ran into each other, but now that she’s in front of me I can’t help myself. She looks so pale, so tired. Her final surgery is next week and while there will be a long recovery before we can be reunited, it seems the procedure itself is coming just in time. I can’t bear to waste this chance to cuddle her when she’s facing such risk.

“Hello little one.” | greet Paisley once we’re alone.

My little girl doesn’t beat around the bush. “Mommy, why’ve you been hiding from Daddy?”

“Paisley my love, you can’t call me Mommy. I’m so sorry.” I breathe, hating the horrible words on my tongue.

“Why not?” Her head cocks to the side, “Is it cause of playing hide ‘n’ seek?”

The gears in my mind slowly turn over, trying to make sense of her words. “What?”

“Daddy says you playing hide ‘n’ seek with him. Is that why I can’t call you Mommy?” She reasons, looking only slightly hurt.

“Yes angel.” | agree. “That’s also why you can’t tell him you saw me, or I’ll lose the game.”

She thinks about this for a moment, her lovely face scrunching up in thought. “But if you lose the game, will you come home?”

My throat tickles as I shake my head and I fight back tears. “No. I can only be your Mommy if I win.”

presses, in the way all young pup do when they don’t understand a

it is.” I explain softly. “One day I’ll tell you everything

Paisley inquires, looking

the first time since we met, I’m finally free to speak the truth. “I.

Eve

just seems to get worse and

Ethan found Paisley at the open house, wandering towards us with a cookie she snagged from the snack table and looking far too pleased with herself, we finally left. I can’t

now. Those pups Linda claimed as her own are undoubtedly Ethan’s, and that means that Elise Carrington truly is Jane in disguise. I thought it would be easy to get rid of Paisley, what with her upcoming surgery, but this is going to be a problem. I’ve got to get Jane

have to be in that order. The best opportunity to deal with brat number one will still

Ethan is paying so highly would never dream of crossing the Alpha, but I have plenty of friends

couldn’t be detected in an autopsy before handing over the cash. Now all I have

arrives, and I join Ethan at the hospital, keeping the wretched pup company while the Alpha completes her admission paperwork. She’s been asleep almost all afternoon, and I’m just starting to lose my patience when she blinks her ugly

sweet voice | often hear people

She

Turning my back to the bed, I pour a glass of water from the sink and pull the small vial of clear liquid from my pocket. Dumping the contents into the glass, I say a quick prayer to the Goddess. My contact assured me that it would take a full twenty four hours to kick in, which means it should kill the little monster towards the end of her procedure. Of course the doctors would try to save her but not knowing

smile. Naturally she’s too young to see through my act, and I offer her the

are, honey.”

tiny forms tackling my legs and knocking me to the ground. Screeching in outrage as I crash onto the tiles, the water glass falls from my

floor.

bastards!” | exclaim, “what do you think you’re

One