Truly crying now, Riley nodded. “Okay.” As Eve retreated, searching the apartment for her phone and cackling to herself over crushing a small child’s feelings, Riley couldn’t help but think she and her brothers couldn’t have planned this better if they’d tried. Riley wasn’t as talented with technology as Ryder, but she knew how to send a text message easily enough. Quickly copying every contact in Eve’s address book, she sent the voice memo off with a rush of triumph. The next part of the plan took on new meaning with Eve’s parting advice. Riley had always planned on returning home once her task was complete. She, Paisley and the boys would get to enjoy some quality time together and could relax knowing they were all safe. However once her conversation with Eve was received by Ethan, Jane, Petra, and all the various contacts Eve used to leverage her position in the pack, when Ethan came home to find Paisley missing he’d naturally assume the little girl had run away at Eve’s instructi
JaneIt takes a moment for Ethan’s words to sink in, especially with him holding me so tenderly. I want to surrender to the comforting warmth, however when his announcement does sink in, I quickly untangle myself from his embrace and look up at him in horror. “Missing? But you said…” I stutter helplessly, searching for any kind of logic in this madness. “You said Frank wouldn’t take his eyes off her.”Ethan frowns deeply, gesturing for the guard in question to remove Eve from the room. As the mewling woman is dragged out, my ex explains, “He was making her lunch - the cameras in the lobby show her running out on her own.”The room is positively spinning. I can’t even begin to process this after everything we’ve already been through lately. My mind whirrs, trying to sort out a plan of action. I need to find Paisley as soon as possible, I need to make sure she’s safe, but my anger is getting the better of me. More than all my fear and despair, I’m completely outraged that this happened
JaneI think I’m having a stroke. My kids really are too smart for their own goods. Not only did they figure out my deepest darkest secret, but they’ve clearly been scheming behind my back. I’m used to Ryder and Parker trying to switch places on me, but I never dreamed it would happen before I ever told the girls they were related. Honestly, most four year olds are still just trying to master tying their shoes, mine are masterminding intricate plots and fooling fully grown adults along the way. My heart is beating so quickly and so loudly that I can’t even hear myself think. “What?” I utter inanely, needing Parker to repeat his words just to make sure I didn’t imagine it. When he does I sink onto the couch in defeat, staring at their hopeful faces in complete shock. “How long have you known?”“Since the restraunt.” Riley answers happily. “I…” I squeak helplessly. “I don’t know what to say.”“Why didn’ you tell us ‘bout Paisley?” Ryder asks, and though there’s not an ounce of accus
Ethan“Ethan please!” Eve wails, still huddled on the floor and sobbing like an actress in a soap opera.If I’d been angry before, my fight with Jane had pushed me completely over the edge. Her words cut me incredibly deep, mostly because I know they were true. This was all my fault. Yes, Eve is clearly an unforgivably cruel, borderline heartless woman, but I’m the one who let her stick around even after I knew what she was. The law enforcement officers had agreed it was for the best, but now I can see only to clearly that what was best for their case and what was best for my child were two very different things. “Stop your sniveling this instant.” I command, my booming voice echoing around the room. “I want you out of my house within the half hour, anything that’s still here after that is going to be thrown out on the street.”“No!” She keens, “You can’t, you don’t understand. I don’t have anywhere else to go!”“Then you should have thought of that before you abused my pup!” I bark.
JaneI slap my hand over my mouth, shocked and horrified that Ethan tricked me into admitting the truth. He’s staring at me with an expression of pure triumph, his wolf glowing in his eyes as he heaves in ragged breaths of air. Shaking my head, I begin to back away. “I didn’t - that isn’t…” I stutter, trying to think of any excuse for my admission. Ethan is already after me, prowling forward with predatory grace and baring his fangs, “Oh no, Baby. Don’t even think about it.” He lashes out and catches my wrist, his huge hand dwarfing my small limb as he drags my body against his. “There are some things you can’t take back.”The next thing I know his mouth slams into mine, claiming my lips in a ruthless kiss and holding me flush to his chest. His hand slides into the long tresses of my hair as he growls possessively against my lips. His skillful moves overpower every shred of logic in my mind. I never even stood a chance. I’m melting against him out of instinct, immediately giving in t
Jane“I agree.” Ethan answers promptly, completely stunning me. “She does belong with you and you should have custody.”“What?” I ask uncertainly, not believing my ears. “I will gladly give you custody.” Ethan vows, prowling closer. “If you come home where you belong.”Realizing he wants me to come back and live with him again, I ball my hands into fists, “I don’t belong with you.” “You do.” He proclaims, “You and the other pups. I don’t want our family to be divided.” “No.” I counter instantly. “I want Paisley, I want to take her back to the Dark Moon pack so I can finally move forward with my life. It’s been on hold for too long as it is.”“You want to take her from me?” Ethan demands, understanding clicking in his mind. “From the only home she’s ever known?”“My life is in the Dark Moon territory.” I answer with a shrug.Watching me closely, his dark eyes widen. “This was your plan from the beginning wasn’t it?”“You didn’t really think I’d give her up for good did you?” I scof
EthanI don’t care what Jane says, I know the pups are mine. She can lie until she’s blue in the face, but she won’t convince me that she cheated on me with Eric. I know my ex-wife better than anyone else in the world and no matter how miserable she may have been, she wouldn’t have broken her vows. “Fine.” Jane snaps, not even pausing to think about my request. Shocked, I narrow my eyes at her. She sounds completely confident and unconcerned at the prospect of having a paternity test conducted. In fact, she seems actually eager to get it done. “When do you want to do it?”For the first time, a seed of doubt settles in my stomach, making my insides churn and roil with unease. “You’ll do it?” I ask dumbly. “Yes.” Jane confirms simply. “I’ll gladly give you a paternity test and when it comes back negative, I’m taking my daughter.”Two things occur to me at once, first that she’s already forged one DNA test, so she might simply be bluffing and assuming she can pull the same trick here.
3rd PersonJane couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She never imagined that Ethan would concede defeat at all, let alone without a lengthy battle. Now he was offering to just give her Paisley, but the idea of living with Ethan again was too overwhelming to contemplate – if she could even trust that he would keep his word. “Why should I believe you’d actually let her go?” Jane asked suspiciously. “Because I want what’s best for her.” He stated gently, “And I’m man enough to admit when I’ve made a mistake.”Jane eyed him skeptically. Ethan had changed course so suddenly she felt as if she had emotional whiplash. This day had been a complete roller coaster from start to finish, and she didn’t know how to deal with the alpha’s sudden about-face. At the same time, she’d never dreamed he would apologize for what happened between them. He actually looked truly remorseful, as if he was finally realizing just how badly he hurt her. It didn’t excuse his actions in any way shape or form, b