Chapter 17 DANE Evelyn preferred to stay in the city , so I made my way to the penthouse .


    It wasnt the same one Id shared with Ann Aurora .


    It was one Evelyn had picked out .


    Somehow more filled with things and less homey at the same time .


    At least , it never felt like home to me .


    I walked in , still not able to get the sound of the child Id heard at Auroras house out of my mind .


    Maybe because this pregnancy announcement hade right after and because Id had to learn it from the fucking inte .


    Evelyn ! Im in here , baby ! she called .


    She trotted into the foyer in a tiny little dress , grinning from ear to ear , then threw her arms around me before I could get a word oul .


    # I took her by the shoulders and pushed her back .


    Why the hell does the inte think youre pregnant ? Chapter 17 2/6 She blushed and stammered , suddenly out of sorts .


    Her eyes got big watery .


    Oh , no ! How did they find out ? Someone must have leaked it .


    I was really looking forward to telling you first ! I stifled a growl that started low in my throat .


    How can you be pregnant with my child ? I asked .


    I havent touched you in over a year .


    Her checks turned pink .


    I know you said you needed time … but do you remember that night three months ago ? I knew which night she meant .


    Three months ago was the eight year anniversary of the night the Reeds massacred my pack .


    The night Id lost my parents .


    My grandmother .


    The night Id been forced to marry the woman who now called herself Aurora DeVere .


    Slowly , I nodded .


    As a rule , I never got shitfaced enough to lose control , because Alphas couldnt afford to make mistakes .


    But that one night every year , I let myself go .


    All the way .


    I was too ashamed to face the memories .


    Well , that night you were drunk , and you came to my bed , and … Evelyns cheeks turned pink .


    My jaw clenched .


    A year ago , I had stopped sleeping with Evelyn because Id finally faced the truth : I didnt love her .


    But every time I looked at that damn crescent birth mark on her arm , I remembered I owed her my life .


    Chapter 17 Ide clean with her .


    I told her how I felt .


    I tried to break with her .


    3/6 up She wouldnt hear it .


    She insisted Ide around .


    That I did .


    love her .


    She refused to break off the engagement .


    And now , if she really was having my child ….


    The image of Auroras face danced through my mind .


    Then , like a vivid daydream , so did the faces of two children .


    A little boy with dark eyes and blond hair , and a little girl with dark hair and Auroras lc eyes .


    The picture was so real , my breath caught .


    Evelyn thought I was reacting to her .


    She jumped up and down and pped .


    I knew youd be excited ! I … She grabbed both of my hands and pulled herself into my arms again , squeezing while I just stood there .


    She started babbling about shopping and names and nurseries .


    All I felt was cold .


    I didnt want Evelyn to have my child .


    I owed her .


    I had a responsibility toward her .


    Chapter 17 But I realized then in a way I never had that I didnt want to spend the rest of my life with her .


    Now , I didnt have a choice .


    Honor , Aurora had saidst night .


    She thought I had honor .


    I didnt know if thats what it was .


    4/6 But Id grown up without parents , and I wouldnt let any child of mine live life without their father .


    It looked like Evelyn was finally going to get what she wanted : a wedding date .


    AURORA Once Id snuggled and read to the twins and they were asleep , I called Lilliana .


    Aurora , she said brightly as she answered the phone .


    You never call .


    How wonderful to hear from you ! Then she made a shocked face .


    Oh ! I did hear the twins are missing .


    How terrible ! Has grandmother found them ? I smiled just as brightly .


    It seems someone startled our cousin Evander when they attempted to poison my children , and he Chapter 17 thought it was best they be with me .


    5/6 Lillianas smile turned to a scowl , just for a second .


    Oh … theyre with you , now ? Im sure thats nice .


    I called to let you know that you should expect a gift from me .


    Lillianas eyes sharpened .


    Just then , someone knocked on her door .


    Id timed the call perfectly .


    She rose and answered it .


    Outside was a basket of apples , round and juicy .


    The same food that had been poisoned for the twins .


    Lilliana looked at the phone , her smile gone .


    I dont know what youre implying .


    Oh , I think you do , I drawled , still smiling .


    And if you evere for my children again , it wont be poison that kills you , Lilly .


    Ill do it with my bare hands .


    I hung up and tossed my phone to the other side of the couch .


    Well done , Evander said .


    He leaned in the doorway , tall and broad .


    Unless that just brings her down on you harder .


    I rolled my eyes .


    Shell have a hard time reaching me here .


    Especially now .


    I suppose I should be grateful to Danc .


    Dane .


    Thinking of him reminded me of our picture on that news site .


    Of Evelyn , pregnant .


    Chapter 17 I shouldnt feel an ache in my chest over that .


    Id divorced him years ago , so why wouldnt this feeling go away ? From across the couch , my phone rang .


    It was Grandma Augusta .


    I showed the screen to Evander .


    Do you think Lilliana told her ? I asked .


    6/6 Heughed .


    What , and admit you did it because she tried to poison her only great grandchildren and heirs ? No.


    I tapped on the answer button and held up the phone .


    Hello , Grandmother .


    Without any greeting she said, Aurora , dear , I need you to do me a favor and have dinner with some vampires .


    Its urgent .