The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Chapter 75 – Ethan Faces the Press

Ethan

The day after the arrest, I wake up before dawn, striding into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee and rouse my ex- hausted brain. It’s still dark out, but when I exit my bedroom I can see the lights are already on down the hall. When I reach the living room I find Jane curled up in the window seat, wide awake and staring out at the waking city.

Frowning deeply, I move to her side, my concern growing when she doesn’t seem to detect my presence. She’s com- pletely lost in her thoughts, and when I reach out to touch her shoulder, she jerks away from me as if she’s been electrocut- ed.

“Easy, Jane.” I shush her softly, “It’s only me.”

Her wide eyes relax slightly, a heavy sigh expelling from her lungs. However she doesn’t relax completely, her muscles are still wound tight as a spring, and my heart aches just look- ing at her distraught face. “Sorry,” She mutters weakly, “you startled me.”

“Have you been up all night?” I question, studying the dark circles beneath her eyes.

She shrugs, averting her gaze. “I had a lot on my mind.”

Thankfully it’s Sunday, so she doesn’t have to go into work, but I can’t help worrying for my poor mate. “Sweetheart, that’s no good.” I scold gently, suddenly regretting letting her go to bed alone. I’d been sorely tempted to stay with her until she fell asleep, but she clearly wanted to be alone so I didn’t

force the issue. “The pups won’t be up for a few hours, you ought to try to get in some rest before they wake.”

“I can’t.” Jane admits, her rosy lips tugging downward. “I tried to sleep, but I couldn’t get my brain to turn off.”

drinking. Instead I gather her into my arms, ignoring the way she jolts and squirms to escape. Taking a seat on the sofa, I cuddle her to my chest and begin to purr softly, knowing that no matter her omega instincts are buried, she’ll never be im-

sleep.” She objects, still wriggling despite the fact that her nose is pressed to my chest and she’s obviously smelling me. Silly little omega, I think, does she real- ly think I don’t know what she’s

and stroke her hair, “Now you’re

She mutters mutinously, her dark lash- es

I encourage, kissing her hair and trying not to get distracted by

I try to pull away, only to find her

Jane fell asleep, because the morning news is far from good. Once again her photo is splashed across the headlines, only this time

Perhaps he simply believes he’s right and is too prideful to consider another explanation, tak- ing every challenge

to her at the funeral, and regardless of the impact on my family, he’s following the wrong lead. Eve is still out there somewhere waiting to wreak more havoc, and neither Jane nor the

second in command, Matthew, I direct him to arrange a press conference for this afternoon, and set about

of re- porters, camera flashes bursting in

my temper in check, “I appreciate you taking the time to come out. I know there has been a great deal in the news about my family lately, specifically my former mate, Jane. I can confirm that Elise Carrington is, in fact, Jane Blackwell, but this is where the news’s

appreciate the pack respecting our privacy in this matter. We are only interested in moving forward, partic- ularly after the tragic events surrounding

mother in the past tense, let alone to say the word ‘murder’ relating to someone so close to me, but I forge on without pausing. “Despite what you may have been told, Jane had absolutely nothing to do with this crime. The person responsible is Eve Mechant, who also engineered the attacks for which Jane was blamed in the police reports recently leaked by the investigative team, as well as my daughter’s attempted murder. I

the fall?” A string of mutters moves through the crowds, and I can’t keep the growl out of my voice as I conclude, “I am determined to hold the responsible parties in these terrible events accountable, and you have my word as Alpha that I will not rest until our city is safe and order restored. I

that only lasts for a moment because as I step

my chest. Ignoring the press, I go to her and wrap her in a hug, lifting her feet off the ground as I squeeze her tight.

have to do that.” Jane murmurs into

did.” I insist, setting her down and cradling her cheek in my hand. “You don’t deserve what they’re saying about you, and

breathes,