The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Jane

Of all the things I expected to find when I came home today, Paisley, Ethan and his fated mate were just about the last things on my list. I’m so stunned when I see my ex-husband that it takes me a moment to realize that Paisley is buried beneath her siblings on the floor. It’s not until I hear her muffled voice crying, “Mommy!” that I’m able to pull my attention away from her father.

“Paisley?” I respond hopefully, feeling my heart immediately leap into my throat. After a moment her little head appears, and her eyes widen when she sees my round belly.

“Mommy you’re tummy’s ginormous!” She exclaims. She’s not the only one who seems preoccupied with it. Ethan is staring at my belly too – as if he’s never seen a pregnant she-wolf before. I try my best to ignore him, instead lowering myself to the ground to take Paisley into my arms.

“I know, angel.” I laugh, pulling my daughter close as soon as she’s within reach. “You should have seen me when I had all four of you inside me. I was like a giant, inflatable beach ball!”

Paisley giggles, and I can’t help but notice that Parker, Ryder and Riley are climbing all over Ethan. I’m amazed, because the last time we were all together they didn’t want anything to do with him. I’m not sure how I feel about this I want my children to be happy, I want them to have a loving father figure. The problem is that I don’t trust Ethan not to turn on them when the chips are down..

The baby kicks as if it can sense its long lost sister is in my arms, and Paisley gasps in shock.

Mommy, your tummy kicked me!”

“That’s the baby saying hello.” I share, so happy to have her with me again that I could cry.

Ethan still hasn’t stopped watching us, and now his eyes are so wide I wonder if he’s in shock too.

Though I don’t know why he’d be in shock, I’m the one who’s been blindsided here. “I’m so happy to see you.” I tell Paisley, kissing her beloved little face, “but what are you doing here?”

“We just thought we were overdue for a visit”

Ethan answers, rising to his feet and reaching for the woman I’ve been trying very hard to avoid noticing so far, “Jane this is Nina. Nina, meet Jane.”

moving from my spot on the floor. What.are you supposed to say to the woman for whom your mate leaves you? I mean,

much about you.” She smiles. Oh I’m sure you have. I think bitterly. I can only imagine what Ethan has told her about

forcibly drag myself out of my mind. Just focus on the present Jane,

introducing Nina around, to the other pups and Devon, even

my lap even though there’s simply no room for them.

bed, reading them a silly story and smothering them with kisses before watching them form their usual puppy pile. When I emerge from their bedroom, Nina is dozing on the couch, and Ethan and Devon have gone into my home office and closed the

it was to sneak around when I wasn’t carrying ten extra pounds of puppy in my

Devon first, his usually gentle voice uncommonly serious. “I have to tell you the

be preparing to confess his vampirism to Ethan, and

I can walk away Ethan’s deep voice reaches

so sharp it takes me aback. “Don’t tell me you’re going back on our

this whole thing began, but I wanted to help you and I wasn’t sure you’d understand.” Devon continues, only serving to confuse me more. What whole thing? Help him with what?

sounding confused. “I’ve always been on your side, Devon. I didn’t hold it against you when you fell in love with my mate or left the pack. I didn’t question it when you came back, and besides, I owe you. I had no business asking you to take on such a huge burden

few months ?I think bitterly, wishing my ex would show me even a fraction of the kindness he’s showing Devon. And wait a minute – he didn’t hold it against him? I thought Ethan made

None of this

I’m supposed to be protecting your actual family, and

all done things we regret – me more than anyone. I don’t believe that makes you a bad person, or an unfit guardian. I know who you are

stubbornly defending his friend even though he doesn’t know the full story and trying to comfort Devon instead of just listening to what he has to say. It hasn’t escaped my notice that

down in the years I was away. I worked really hard to put my life back together afterwards and I’m proud of how well I’ve done, but most people wouldn’t want me anywhere near them if they knew the

listen to our friend. “And what

just a shifter anymore,” Devon begins, taking a deep breath. “I’m also a