The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Chapter 24 Jane Explains

If Elise realizes that her daughter has just revealed her de

ception, she doesn’t show it. She doesn’t even look at me be cause her full attention is on her pup. She crosses the kitchen and scoops up the little girl, humming sympathetically. “Poor ba by, you’ve had too much excitement this week.”

The child peeks over at me with wide eyes, cuddling closer to her mother but also unflinchingly curious. “Hello there, little one.” | greet her warmly, instinctively stepping closer. “What’s your

name?”

Elise’s arms tighten on the girl when I move closer, betraying

her maternal instincts even further. “I’m Riley.” The pup yawns,

resting her cheek on Jane’s shoulder and watching me intently.

“I’m sorry if your Mommy and I woke you, Riley.” I state hon estly, desperately wanting to reach out to the sleepy girl, who re minds me so much of Paisley it hurts. “But I’m happy we got to

meet again.”

Riley frowns, “You hit your head.”

“I did.” I agree, “we were just talking about that.”

“Is it better now?” She asks with obvious concern.

“Yes, thank you.” I smile, giving in and brushing the hair back from her eyes, even as a low growl rumbles in Elise’s chest. I flash a wolfish grin at the protective mother wolf, loving her feroc ity even if her concerns are completely ridiculous. How could she think I would be any threat to such an angel.

“You should stay here ‘nyway.” Riley suggests drowsily, her eyes falling shut.

“He can’t stay.” Elise decrees firmly.

“He should.” Riley repeats dreamily.

Ignoring her, Elise carries the pup back to her room, glancing over her shoulder and glowering when she sees me following. My attention is riveted on the child in her arms, if I didn’t know better I’d be absolutely certain it was Paisley. There is no way the two girls are not related; resemblances this similar simply don’t hap pen by coincidence, especially not when her mother might as well be Jane’s twin, and when her brother’s look so much like me. The boys are tucked in and sleeping soundly in the nursery, their little heads poking out of the covers as their chests rise and

fall in slumber.

I’m staring at my pups, and Elise knows

she returns from settling Riley, leaning against the kitchen counter and sharply monitoring her approach. Now that her pup is resting peacefully, the stunning

dryly, enjoying the way

Linda’s

Elise admits, “They’re

father?” |

eyes narrow. “He’s not

a lot to answer for: Not only did she hide

simply shrugs as if the lie was no big deal, “Techni cally Linda lied,

your direction.” I bite

She an. swers coolly, staring me straight in the eye. Interesting, either she’s a better liar than I

know many mothers who wouldn’t want

such wonderful

have met many single mothers who

to protect.” Elise snaps

she squirms when

She drops her gaze, any inclination for truth telling clearly gone, “but you are an alpha wolf with a dominant streak a mile wide. In my experience

of their potential mates having another man’s

when they do, my anger spikes. “Are you suggesting I would harm

man?”

be the first.”

get my temper under control. Once I do, I real ize she’s

her as off-guard as she caught me. “Tell me, Elise, are

turns her back to me, hiding her face even as I can see a flush

said their father isn’t in the picture.” | begin smoothly, dragging my eyes from her throat before I lose

forward

brush her hair away from her neck, standing so close

her shoulder. “I wasn’t even going to tell

eyes, instead I’m staring at the crescent shaped scar where her neck meets her shoulder. A mating mark – my mating mark, I’m sure of

and run to the ends of the earth Janey, I think hungrily, but nothing can erase my mark. Well, nothing but another wolf’s mark on top of it, and Goddess am I glad to see she hasn’t been with

noticed how closely our daughters resemble one