3rd Person“We need to find ev-dence to help mommy.” Riley mused, looking around at her brothers and sister. Though the pups had been distracted by the news that Jane was planning on taking them back to the Dark Moon pack, as well as devastated by their failure to change her mind, her arrest had certainly reminded them of how dire her situation truly was.“Maybe if she’s safe, she won’t be so ‘fraid to stay here.” Parker added, sensing the direction of his sister’s thoughts.“Xactly.” Riley agreed, “I don’ think she was telling the truth when she said we’re going just because her bizness is there. I think she’s scared.”“That p’lice man was really mean.” Paisley added with a little shiver, “he scared me too.”“Your Mommy isn’t afraid of the police.” Eric’s deep voice sounded behind them, and all three kids turned around to look at him. He was babysitting again. Jane and Ethan hadn’t felt comfortable sending them to pre-school with all the press lurking around every corner, so Eric off

How did it come to this? I think morosely. How did everything go so wrong so quickly? I’d like to think I’ve been shielding the pups from the truth about what happened between Jane and I all those years ago for their own safety and peace of mind, but if I’m honest, I think I’ve been protecting myself. I know how horribly I messed up with Jane, and as badly as it hurt to see my former mate looking at me with that expression of utter betrayal, seeing it on the faces of my innocent pups is worse. When I left the house this morning I was their hero, now I’m their villain.“Why don’t you come sit down.” I suggest to the pups, hoping they’ll agree. How am I ever going to explain this to them? They’re too young to even understand a fraction of it.Despite my tormented thoughts, they obey. One by one they toddle into the living room, settling on the sofa while I take a seat on the edge of the coffee table in front of them. I search their young faces for any hint of openness, but they all see

Jane“I swear he’s losing it.” The man in question is back home with our pups, while I try to wrap my head around what just happened with the help of Linda and Eric. I’m seated on my friend’s plush sofa, with Eric beside me and Linda looking on from the kitchen while she brews a pot of tea. “He threatened to blackmail me tonight.”“I warned you he wasn’t really going to let the pups go.” Eric frowns, “what on earth did he try to blackmail you with?”My face flushes with color as I stare at my lap, fidgeting nervously. “Well…” I begin, trying to find the courage to speak the words aloud.“Oh I know that look!” Linda chimes in, a note of humor in her voice. “What did you do, you bad girl?”“I sort of slept with him.” I confess, burying my face in my hands rather than face their scrutiny. “So he threatened to tell Eric so he’d call of our wedding.”“I knew it!” Linda exclaims, “How did it happen, when did it happen – I want details!”“You slept with him?!” Eric adds, sounding appalled.“

EthanI don’t remember leaving the bar last night, but somehow I managed to get home and into bed. Of course, I don’t need to remember to feel the horrible after effects of my foolish behavior. My beta, Matthew, tried to convince me to leave when I started feeling the effects of pouring half a bottle of scotch into an oversized tumbler and calling it a ‘little drink’, but I wasn’t in the mood to listen. One little drink became three, and before long I succeeded in reaching blissful oblivion – though it doesn’t feel even a little bit blissful now. Part of me feels ashamed of setting such a horrible example for my pups, but the other part simply reminds me that I’m not going to have pups for much longer.Glancing at the clock, I can see it’s already 9am, which means I’m officially late for work. Sitting up in bed, the room begins to spin violently, and all of a sudden working from home seems like the only way I’m going to get anything done today.When I finally emerge from my bedroom,

JaneThis can’t be happening. I can’t be going into heat – not now!“No I’m not!” I tell Ethan frantically, denying what he can obviously see and smell. He’s hovering much too close, driving my wolf over the edge and sending waves of panic through my body. He starts to reach for me, but I back away, flinching.“Don’t, stay back!” I urge, thrusting my palm towards him defiantly. “I’m not going into heat, this is just… period cramps!” I declare stubbornly, “you don’t want to be around me when I’m like this.”“Janey, you’re being ridiculous – it’s perfectly natural.” Ethan sighs, dropping his outstretched hands nonetheless. “And you’re in pain, you should let me help.”“No, you’re the last person I want right now.” I lie, even as my wolf begs me to let him take away the spasms of agony clutching my insides. I’m not sure how long he can be around my scent before he goes into rut, but I know from experience that once he does, any chance I have at resisting him will disappear. “I need to ge