Chapter 73 – Anniversary

3rd Person

“It didn’work.” Riley announced sullenly, exchanging worried looks with her siblings.

Though their efforts to convince Jane and Ethan not to separate the family had certainly made an impact on their parents, it hadn’t done anything to change their minds. Jane had run off crying, and Ethan had sent the pups to go have a lie down while he checked on Jane. A little while later Jane had emerged from her bedroom dry-eyed and grim-faced, and went about making dinner as if nothing had happened.

Afterwards Ethan talked with the pups and told them how sorry he was that they found out this way, and helped them

work through their feelings, but ultimately nothing changed.

“What do we do now?” Parker questioned, feeling at a loss. The problems facing the pups were piling up so high they were becoming insurmountable. How were they supposed to help clear Jane’s good name, while also convincing her to stay in the NightFang territory with Ethan?

“I dunno.” Ryder sighed, “but Mommy and Daddy must have loved each other once, we just have to make them fall ‘n love again.”

“How?” Paisley murmured, leaning against her sister for comfort.

“I think we need help.” Riley decided, putting her arm around Paisley.

“From who?” Parker inquired, “the other

grown ups agree with Mommy.”

2/13

“Uncle Eric might, but I dunno ’bout Auntie Linda.” Riley answered. “I think she has a crush on Eric.”

“But how’d we talk to her without Mommy knowing?” Paisley wondered aloud.

“We’ll find a way.” Ryder declared, “Next time they’re on the phone, we can try to catch Linda before she hangs up.”

Hours later they hovered near while their mother talked with Linda, listening to every word the women spoke as they hid just out of sight.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do, Linda.” Jane fretted, briefly opening her bedroom door to make sure the pups weren’t listening outside, then closing it again. Of course, what she didn’t realize was that the children were on the second extension of the landline, holding their

small paws over their mouths so the grown ups wouldn’t hear them breathing.

“Janey, I know things are tough right now. But it will get better.” Linda replied, “The talks of boycotts are already dying down.”

only matters if I have a business to run.” Jane replied cynically, dragging her hand through her long hair. “Even that won’t matter if

Linda insisted.” And if you do, I’ll break you out. I know all the laws, I can

her humor only lasted a moment. “So I can be a fugitive?”

lawyer in the territory in your corner.” Linda answered warmly. On anyone else, her confidence

but Jane knew her friend had a perfect record. She’d never lost a case,

replied,

in a deceptively neutral voice, “How’s Eric handling all

Paisley

remember ever being so

they already knew.” Linda

and so aggressive towards Ethan. I’m really starting to think it was a mistake asking him to come here.” She paused,

we went out the night Petra died, he told me he had feelings for

her voice breaking.“ Wow… that’s…

Jane confessed, not picking

did you say?” Linda asked, her voice a few octaves higher than

and good, I know

“But?” Linda prompted.

Eric is someone who’s meant to be in my future when I’m stuck here

planner, running her finger over the page that

been my 10th wedding anniversary?” In truth, it wasn’t the anniversary of the day Jane truly considered to be her wedding, when she and Ethan eloped, but it was the

Linda told her

but I’m sure he does.” Jane griped. “That

you going to celebrate?” Linda asked slyly.

course not.” Jane scoffed. “And if Ethan asks for a date that night, I am not agreeing. I’ve already slipped up one time too many.” She admitted, gnawing her lower lip. “I

but at the end of the day he’s still an Alpha, and we have so much history. My body isn’t my own

way of telling you that you’re meant

and I were only ever together because we were both young and defiant – I should have known better. No Alpha marries an omega. If we’d listened to his parents, we could have avoided

you back

pups?»

as benevolent

just pulling

really believe

whispered. “Otherwise why would she make this

friend stated honestly. “But I do know that nothing

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