Ethan At first I thought I was hallucinating. It wasn’t possible that Jane and the pups were here. I assumed I was dreaming, that my imagination was putting their scents in my head – that I’d lost my mind faster than any of us could have expected. However the closer I draw to the door I know it’s real, my wolf is racing around in circles in my mind’s eye. Overjoyed to see his mate and our pups – happy for the first time since I injured my spine. No, no, no. I think, even as he dances and howls like a puppy. They can’t be here – what are they doing here? Surely they didn’t figure it out – surely my beta or Linda didn’t betray my confidence. I brace myself for the overwhelming emotions of seeing my family, as well as the confrontation I know is inevitable now. After rejecting Jane in the hospital I thought I wouldn’t have the strength to survive doing so twice, but now it’s obvious I don’t have a choice. I can’t very well hide in my apartment while they bang on the door, and th

EthanI couldn’t be more shocked if Jane had pulled out a knife and stabbed me. I can’t believe what I’m hearing – I can’t believe what I’m saying. My beautiful, intelligent, passionate mate is begging on her knees, offering to become my slave again if I’ll only reconsider rejecting the pups. The irony is unbearable. I rejected her in part to avoid shackling her to a mad man, and now she’s suggesting that very same thing – only worse.As I look down at her, struggling to comprehend that this is really happening, my wolf tries to burst free, only to find himself hobbled and motionless – stuck within the steely confines of my skin. He doesn’t stop, thrashing violently inside me, rattling my bones as he tries to escape. The pain is unbearable, both physical and mental.Eventually my wolf gives up, receding deep inside me with a tortured howl. He knows we’re paralyzed, but he keeps trying all th

EthanJane and I are both on our feet the moment we see our pup injured. My instincts send me flying onto the ice, but my braces keep me from moving the way I normally would. I barely beat Jane to Parker’s side, biting back a growl of pain when the braces wrench my legs into painful contortions. I can’t feel anything below the waist, but the sharp metal still digs into my abdomen, and the powerful pinch as they try to adjust to the precarious surface beneath my feet is nearly excruciating.I drop to my knees beside Parker, scanning his precious form for the source of the injury. Almost at once I see a bleeding gash on his forearm, and though I’m relieved to see the wound isn’t grave, I still feel a pang of sympathy for the child. “Are you okay, buddy?”Parker looks up at me, his dark eyes welling with tears as his face grimaces in pain. He’s clutching his arm, clearly trying to put up a strong front but obviously struggling. “Daddy, it hurts.”Jane is already on the ground beside him,

Ethan“Yes.” Jane confirms, looking me in the eye for the first time. “I’m pregnant, Ethan.”The room is spinning. Everything has turned upside down and inside out, and I can’t make sense of any of it. This isn’t real. It can’t be real. Jane can’t be pregnant.History is repeating itself right before my eyes, only this time my mate hasn’t hidden her condition from me out of fear, she’s done it because I didn’t give her any other choice. The first time was a misunderstanding, but that’s not the case now. It isn’t possible. I think again. I would have known – there would be signs, symptoms. Even as I ponder this possibility, I realize there have been signs and symptoms. She never went back into heat again after the first time, she was so sick in the Southern Isles even after we disembarked from the ship, and her emotions have been so raw since she returned.“What?” I say inanely, not able to wrap my mind around this. “What are you talking about?”“I’m pregnant.” Jane repeats, tears shi

Ethan“Well Doctor, what are my chances?” I ask, bracing myself for more bad news.It’s Christmas Eve, and I barely managed to slip away from the penthouse for this appointment. Still, after Paisley discovered the truth of my condition, I knew it couldn’t wait. I’m determined to fight for my family, but I have to stay grounded. I have to prepare for the most likely outcome, and that means remaining cautious with my plans. I can’t be confident I’ll survive, but I can certainly put my plans into motion whether I succeed or not.I’ve already created a trust for our children, complete with college funds and living expenses to ensure that the burden of caring for the pups financially won’t be on Jane’s shoulders. I’ve also created a considerable allowance for Jane herself. I know she’s passionate about her work, but I want to make sure she has the freedom to enjoy her career, rather than feeling obligated to retain her business for the sake of economic security.My other efforts are less s