Ethan

“Ethan, if you’re going to do a bunch of grand gestures for Jane and make us take credit for them, you could at least warn us!” Linda scolds over the phone. “I mean the photo album was one thing, but now you’ve really taken it too far.

Honestly, her mortgage?”

“I assumed you would just tell her Eric feels so guilty for deceiving her all those years that he’s going overboard.” I reply.

“I did, but you have to admit it seems like a bit much – even for him!” Linda replies.

“Besides I’m not expecting you to take credit for everything – Devon agreed to say the babysitting service and personal gifts are from him.” I supply, smiling at the she-wolf’s indignation.

“And her company’s stock portfolio?” Linda gripes, “how are you going to explain that one?”

“Angel investors.” I answer easily. “It’s not like that’s out of the realm of possibilities after all – La Louve is the most profitable fragrance company on the market, any number of hedge funds would be thrilled to invest.”

“You know that this is crazy, right?” Linda grouses.

“She would so much rather have you, Ethan. Not to mention Paisley.”

“Believe it or not, I’ve heard all this from Matthew and Devon already.” I inform her stubbornly. “But I’ve made up my mind. I want the best for my family, and that’s not me.”

Linda sighs, a heavy, beleaguered sound that makes it clear she thinks I’m being completely unreasonable. “Are there any updates on your condition?” She asks after a moment. “I mean is the prognosis still terrible?”

“My doctors just told me about a potential surgery.”

I relate, somewhat reluctantly. “It’s risky, and if it goes wrong I could end up worse off than before. “

“Risky how?” Linda clarifies.

because they can’t actually see my nerve pathways. If they knick the wrong thing then my paralysis could become

I truly would

tell you that the more you keep your body moving, the more the swelling would decrease? Is it possible to keep up

what I have to do anyway – I might be willing to risk the surgery if things were more stable with the pack, or if I was in worse condition. If I started to really lose it then I might attempt it anyway – because at that point I wouldn’t be doing the pack or Paisley

believe that Jane let her go.”

“But it won’t be forever. If I don’t find a way to get better Paisley will be back with Jane and the other pups within the year.” I can practically hear Linda wince. She hates listening to me talk about my possible death so matter-of-factly, but I don’t see any benefit in ignoring

around when you’re in this

really didn’t give us an option. She’s a stubborn little thing.” I remark, unable to keep a hint

her father’s daughter.” Linda counters dryly, taking a moment to let her words sink in. “How’s she

them.” I relate, “but it gets a little easier every day, and they talk on the phone

Linda breathes. “You’ll let me know

“Yes.” I promise.

me before you decide to -I don’t know, buy Jane a castle and sign my name on the card?” She adds,

word.” I laugh.

us lately. He understands my determination to do right by the pack and my family with whatever time I have left, but I know

thought is of Jane and the pups; has something happened? Am l

rises from his armchair. “I have to tell you something, and I need you to

but I hate the trepidation on his face. “Why, what’s wrong?” I demand. As strange as it seems,

did something.” Matthew

you’re not going to like

narrow my eyes, feeling as though I’m on a roller coaster of emotion. Worried then calm, now near panicked that Matthew might have betrayed my confidence.

in supplication. “You’ve been doing so much better lately, but you’re still trying to do everything on your own and it simply isn’t working. You were a

did you do?” I snap, not liking the direction this is taking

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255