The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Chapter 38 – Family Picnic

Ethan

“Paisley, slow down!” I call, my hands itching to scoop her up off the ground. We’re already at the park, and she’s running ahead of me as usual. The only problem is that today isn’t like any other, she’s just been released from the hospital after major surgery, and someone clearly wants to harm her. I don’t like letting her out of arm’s length, let alone out of my sight.

She pauses only long enough to turn around and exclaim, “But Daddy I’m excited!”

“You just got out of the hospital little one, don’t push yourself.” | caution. Shifters might heal fast, but matters of the heart are always treated very seriously. The doctor said she could be up and about and play for short periods of time, but at this rate she’s going to tire herself out before we ever get to playing.

“But Daddy!” She argues, pouting hard.

“Paisley slow down or I’ll carry you the whole way like a baby.” I threaten. Most of the time Paisley actually loves being carried, but she’s been cooped up in the hospital for so long that she’s completely stir-crazy, not to mention she doesn’t want to look silly in front of the other kids.

She throws back her head with a dramatic huff but continues forward at a slower pace, stomping her little feet every step of the way. Catching up to her, I cup her soft head in my palm, “that’s my girl.” I praise, earning a toothy smile from my daughter despite her sulky mood.

Suddenly in the distance I can hear Jane’s voice calling remarkably similar instructions to her “triplets”, “Slow down kids. You know the rules about staying where I can see you.

“Mommy hurry up!” One of the boys replies. At this age their scents are so similar it’s impossible to tell the two apart. Standing side by side they’d be identical, if not for their clothing. It was a blessing Jane didn’t follow so many parents’ example and dress them to match.

Paisley jumps up and down, “That’s Mommy!” Before I can say another word she’s darting forward again. I catch sight of Jane and the pups just as Paisley rounds the bend and flies into Jane’s open arms.

The sight takes my breath away. Jane already looked so beautiful my heart skipped a beat. She was wearing a silky sundress in the same shade of green as her eyes, and smiling so widely she lit up the entire path. The other pups stood on either side of her, looking up at her hugging Paisley with expressions of happy curiosity. If I’d had the sense to pull out my phone I would have taken a picture of them in that pose, but I can’t look away – I’m completely spellbound just watching them.

When Jane sets Paisley’s feet back on the ground, the other pups huddle around her excitedly, their little voices floating over to me.

“Hiii!” Paisley greets them cheerily.

“Hi Paisley!” Ryder, Riley and Parker cry. They greet each other almost as if they’re old friends, and immediately run off to play. I call after Paisley, reminding her to be careful, but I doubt she heard me.

As I close the final distance to Jane, the corners of my mouth quirk with amusement as she raises a pair of sunglasses to her eyes, clearly hiding from me.

Gorgeous.” I

She utters, as if she couldn’t

into the grassy meadow alongside the playground,

did.” | correct her lightly, not that there was truly cooking involved: wine, bread, cheese, sliced meat and fruit for Jane and I, plus sandwiches and juice boxes for the kids. Simple though it may be, I can see Jane eyeing the spread with obvious

have it.” She invites, taking a

I ask, “What

mean let me have it.” She repeats. “Lay it on me, try whatever moves you’ve got hidden

is just about getting to know

wish to

going to be some very boring dates.” I

her obvious pleasure at the idea of thwarting me. She really is too

I ran extensive background checks on Elise Carrington when we first

| press, “Better than

stops herself just in time. “Of course,

lie when I hear the unmistakable sound of children taunting one another on the playground. Alongside a chorus of sing-song mocking and cruel laughs, one voice rises above the rest, “The Alpha can’t

a wolf!” Paisley defends,

probably won’t even

“You look more like

a new chorus begins with the triplet

had been repeatedly calling my sweet Paisley a runt moments

have fleas!” The offended

said about

the little

faster. Plucking the pups up by the scruffs of their necks, two in one hand and one in the other. Looking down at their foes, I find a quartet of six-year olds curled up into frightened little balls on the ground. Feeling a rush of pride the youngsters took on the group of older pups, outnumbered and all, I quickly

because I myself want to trounce the little mongrels that put that look on my daughter’ s face. Still, as Jane kisses away Paisley’s tears and gently rocks her, I turn

Jane

you like to tell me what happened?” Ethan