GALLAHAN’S POV“You are an idiot,” Zuleika said, sounding utterly tired of my bullshit.I gave her a shrug and a weak chuckle before going even more limp on the high wingback armchair in her bedroom’s lounge area by the tall stained glass window. Then, with very apparent self-flagellation and depreciation, I replied, “That’s me, I guess.”“Look,” she said with a heavy sigh, gently setting down a tray of tea things and a plate of plain heart-shaped butter cookies on the circular coffee table she had magically conjured. “I get it. Seeing a certain pattern in your relationship with Willa is concerning, but don’t you think it’s normal? All couples fight, and then they work it out.”For a moment, I didn’t say anything back, opting to watch her transform a purple cushion pillow into an armchair that was identical to the one I had claimed for myself. Except, the newly transfigured chair was burgundy instead of white. It was only when she had perched herself comfortably that I finally carrie
WILLA’S POVBy the second I rushed out of my shared room with Gallahan, I could practically taste my children’s fear in the air with how palpable and potent it was. Even then, my mind stayed very clear with one ultimate goal: get my children to safety.It didn’t matter if my kill count, which had not changed since the end of the war, would get an increase by a hundred tonight.If that was the number of lives I had to take to ensure Calisto and Gillian would be safe and sound, then so be it.I was ready for it.Adrenaline pumped rapidly in my veins while my inner wolf clamored to be let out, itching to claw and bite off whoever dared to lay a finger on my twins.But I only allowed myself a minor shift. All four of my cuspids elongated until they were of the same size and sharpness as my wolf form’s canines, and my nails grew and slightly curled into my long and cutting claws. I also had no doubts that my eyes were glowing in their usual bright yet deep green hue. “Cal! Gil!” I cried o
WILLA’S POVThe showerhead relentlessly rained semi-hot water as I stood beneath it, loving the way it warmed my skin. It was just the right temperature to soothe my irritation with Gallahan and his petty jealousy.For bloody hell’s sake! I was able to look past and even completely move on from my jealousy over his close relationship with Zuleika and Maliya. And yet he couldn’t do the same with my friendship with Lewis!The same Lewis who was a gay man!Ugh.A fresh new wave of annoyance surged in my chest at the mere thought of it.I exhaled loudly as I lathered my body with soap, scrubbing harshly as I remembered I had intended to tell Gallahan how my conversation with Lewis went.I had set boundaries with him in consideration of Gallahan’s feelings, telling my dear friend that since the Fen Cottage was also Gallahan’s home now, Lewis should inform me ahead of time should he wish to visit, instead of coming and going as he pleased like he always did.Lewis was very gracious and unde
GALLAHAN’S POVWe headed back home to Fen Cottage after an early dinner with my Dad that was mostly filled with silence, broken only by stilted and short-lived conversations here and there. But we could not have left without making promises and assurances to the twins that there would be more trips to Moonshire in the coming days.It was then that Willa and I gently broke the news to them that our family would be moving to the castle in a matter of a few weeks, explaining that it was all for our safety.The twins took it well, so it was another win on our very great day.We would’ve ended everything on a high note, if not for Lewis, who seemed to have been waiting for us for quite some time, given the way he had made himself utterly comfortable on our couch.His posture was relaxed as he sat on the couch, one arm slung over the backrest. Meanwhile, his feet were crossed and propped on top of the coffee table, moving in time with the tune he was humming.“Oh!” His eyes widened for just
WILLA’S POVThe following morning came in a blink of an eye. It almost didn’t feel like I had enough hours of good sleep, even though I felt unspeakably comfortable in Gallahan’s arms, basking in his warmth.Or maybe that was why I felt dissatisfied. Because I couldn’t bask in his embrace for much longer, all thanks to the twins who knocked on the door at the same time as if they had every intention of bringing the house down.Their excitement was just buzzing off of them in palpable waves, and I could almost swear it was contagious as I found myself and Gallahan grinning nearly ear to ear.“We’re going today, right?” Calisto asked after swallowing a mouthful of his peanut butter and jelly sandwich. “Daddy’s going to keep his promise today?”Gallahan shrugged. “I don’t see why I can’t. Unless, of course, Mommy has some objections.”“I don’t,” I said, rolling my eyes at him. But the gesture reeked with disgusting fondness that I somehow couldn’t keep at bay. “So you better finish your
GALLAHAN’S POVSurprise was etched deeply on Willa’s face as she gaped at me with lips slightly ajar.Even then, she looked unfairly beautiful, especially as her eyes misted slightly with hints of tears.I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out and tapping her chin playfully while a light chuckle slipped out of me.“Why do you look so surprised?” I asked with mild laughter still tinged in my tone. “And why the hell do you look like you are seconds away from crying?”“Because!” she exclaimed, her voice raising in volume.But she seemed to remember the fact that we had just managed to put the kids back to sleep because she sent a wary glance at the closed door.“Because,” she went again, half-whispering now as she returned her attention to me. “It’s just… you… you…”I lifted an amused brow at her, watching as she floundered with her words.“Yes?” I drawled teasingly, a smirk pulled at my lips.She groaned, giving me a mild glare. But there was no real heat in it. Instead, it just made h