The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 85 – Jane Sets a Date

Jane

“I swear he’s losing it.” The man in question is back home with our pups, while I try to wrap my head around what just happened with the help of Linda and Eric. I’m seated on my friend’s plush sofa, with Eric beside me and Linda looking on from the kitchen while she brews a pot of tea. “He threatened to blackmail me tonight.”

“I warned you he wasn’t really going to let the pups go.” Eric frowns, “what on earth did he try to blackmail you with?”

My face flushes with color as I stare at my lap, fidgeting nervously. “Well…” I begin, trying to find the courage to speak the

words aloud.

“Oh I know that look!” Linda chimes in, a

note of humor in her voice. “What did you do, you bad girl?”

“I sort of slept with him.” I confess,

burying my face in my hands rather than

face their scrutiny. “So he threatened to tell Eric so he’d call of our wedding.”

“I knew it!” Linda exclaims, “How did it

happen, when did it happen – I want

details!”

“You slept with him?!” Eric adds,

sounding appalled.

“It was the other day, when we went wine

tasting.” I share, peeking at Eric through my fingers and seeing his furious face.” We got a little tipsy and -”

“You were drunk?” Eric repeats,

immediately rising to my defense. “He took advantage of you!”

“He didn’t.” I murmur. “I mean yes I

lowered my inhibitions, but I wanted it.

I’ve been resisting him for so long.” Eric is fuming, and I suddenly feel very guilty for sharing this with him when I know he has feelings for me. “I’m sorry.” I profess, resting my hand on his arm, “I shouldn’t be sharing this kind of thing

with you. I’m not trying to be insensitive, I just… I told him you already knew.”

“No it’s okay.” He assures me, quickly covering my hand with his own, “I need to know these things if I’m going to help you. If he says anything about it, I’ll pretend I knew all along.”

“Are you sure?” I inquire hesitantly. “I feel like I’m asking way too much of you.”

“I’m sure.” Eric promises, “and if you ask me Ethan isn’t losing it, he’s just showing you his true colors. If you want to see the man behind the mask you should keep pushing him, otherwise

you’ll simply be letting him fool you

again.”

Linda, clearly reading my slightly affronted energy, interjects, “I don’t think she “let” him do anything.” She says with a frown, her eyes locked on Eric even as she speaks to me. “And I don’t know that pushing him is a good idea, Janey. He’s clearly feeling desperate and

more conflict isn’t good for anyone. I

but if you force

the depth

Eric tells her

seeing Linda argue with Eric, they’ve always gotten along

him then it’s all

be cautious. Why are you giving her

don’t argue, you

just

almost immediately, patting my leg

still seeming preoccupied with Eric. If I didn’t know any better I might think she was angry he’s giving me so much attention,

never even hinted at being interested in him. “I don’t understand.” She muses, finally turning away from him. “How did the pups even find out

simply, pursing my lips, “my best guess is that they were eavesdropping again. Eric you were with

overheard something and asked Ethan about it, I doubt they waited very long – which means whatever they heard probably happened tonight. Is there any reason

me, but I realize he’s right. The pups would have certainly been impatient to find out the truth about whatever they heard, so it must have happened today. A niggling doubt enters the back of my mind. The only two people

it?” Linda presses, her brow furrowed in concern as she reads

expression.

deflect, “I just…” Trailing off, I rise to my feet, beginning to pace.

check,” Linda responds,

this clearly isn’t nothing.” Eric observes,

my hands. “I mean Ethan just made a very public statement blaming Eve for Petra’s murder. He’s defended

turn and he truly seems

what happened between us…

“But?” Eric prompts.

talking on the phone to his beta or something, about taking me prisoner again now that he has proof

that’s entirely possible.”

closer as if he wants to comfort me, but isn’t sure if I’ll accept it. I can’t help

I fought him tooth and nail… and he’d probably be right. How twisted is it that he’s the reason I’m afraid of letting people get too close to me, and yet he’s the only one hard -headed enough to force his way

calls from the kitchen, strolling back in a

absolutely no reason to think

And if he was

probably his regrets about

is that not

questions her stiffly.

because the pups found

the past, if he’d been talking about doing something in the future they probably would have told Jane, especially because they clearly turned against him.” Linda reasons, “And second, because

a hawk. I’ve

telling you he’s changed. He isn’t faking

friend’s words are a welcome balm

I know

but he seems so

paranoid as

he was vicariously

to recover from Ethan, while Linda’s heart softened

cope with my death.

and

direction, but she’s sounding more logical than Eric

moment.

I breathe, accepting a

letting the warm

me. “You’re right, I’m

crazy.”

we all get a bit

is mutinously

tea and return to

I can’t wait for