The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Chapter 67

“No.” I protest. “It isn’t possible, whatever happened between us in the past, however badly Ethan might want the kids, Ethan would never harm his mother. He’s been devastat ed by her loss.” I explain, feeling confused but increasingly confident Eric is on the wrong track.

“Devastated by loss, or guilt?” Eric suggests ominously.

“The investigators said a woman killed her.” I remind him, “If Ethan had done it her head wouldn’t have even been on her neck anymore.”

“Well of course they did, you’re being framed for the crime

Jane, it would have to look like a woman did it whether it actu

ally was or not.” Eric insists. “And that man almost killed me for merely suggesting the pups weren’t his. You think he wouldn’t take extreme action to keep them?”

“You don’t know Ethan like I do.” I insist, “He loved his

mother.”

“You’re right, I don’t know him like you. But I know how he talks about you and your family when you’re not there and he’ s not trying charm you, I know the kinds of things Alphas do

to

behind closed doors to stay in power.” He leans forward, “You have a big heart, and your empathy for his loss is blinding you.”

“My big heart isn’t the only problem with your theory.” I sigh, “Ethan doesn’t only want the kids, he wants me too. He can’t have me if I’m behind bars.”

“He kept you out of prison once before didn’t he?” Eric asked, “didn’t you say there were assault charges which had been dropped? Wasn’t that the start of all your problems with

him?”

–

keep the kids and take me prisoner again, as an excuse to punish me without putting me in jail – just like last time. A moment ago I

you two?” Eric asked. He clearly pieced together part of the story through my account of my interrogation and clues over the years, but I’ve only ever told Linda about just

badly if he knew how low Ethan had brought me. That self destructive spark inside me is flar ing up again, because I can already feel myself thinking I won’t have to decide about dating

wrong.” I murmur. “Eve concocted the entire scheme, but I don’t

how she did it.”

Eric questioned

been able to talk about it.” I admit, but even as I say it, I don’t feel the usual

the truth inside me. “It was my gradu ation trip after college. It was just supposed to be a simply girl’ s trip, but we were attacked by rogues the moment we got across the border. They were waiting for us, and the moment

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were going to rape her and it was like I was completely frozen. I

I knew what I was doing, but I didn’t want to and couldn’t stop.

are pouring out of me now, and I catch myself speeding up, as if I’m afraid I’ll lose the ability to speak again before I can finish. “After Eve passed out, the rogues just disappeared. I knew then and there it was a setup. They could have attacked all of us I mean I was Luna, I was most valuable, but they only chose Petra and then they left for no reason. I got my body back, but not my voice. I couldn’t say a word to

—

took me a while to figure out that Eve was behind it, but I saw what happened after. Petra had never liked

me and completely adored Eve. Eve lost her wolf in the attack and so Ethan moved her into the penthouse, and they

encourages, “What

to work, I stopped having anything to do with lead ing the pack and was taken completely out of the public eye. I wasn’t allowed to leave the house without his permission.” My voice shakes as I recount those horrible days. “My entire life became servicing Ethan. I

ing me as a toy.” I close my eyes, unable to look him in the eye. “Later I learned that there was never anything between them at all. Ethan took my status but he couldn’t stay away, he couldn’t bring himself to throw me out. So in his mind, he thought he was depriving me of my privileges as punishment for my crimes, but in reality I was just imprisoned for some

and attack Eve for trying to help her. I couldn’t speak to defend myself, but he just ac cepted their word. We’d

―

snapped our bond

hand Eric has over mind is shaking now, and

he wipes the tears from my eyes. “It’s not your fault, sweetheart.” He murmurs, hugging

take comfort from him for a few

heat, but I do feel safe. When I pull away, swiping at my cheeks, I glance around the shop to make sure our little scene didn’t draw

—

know how hard that was for you,” Eric acknowledges tenderly, “but there are a couple of things I’m