3rd Person“Can I see her photo again?” Linda asked Ethan, feeling more anxious the closer they drew to King Aimon’s palace.He offered her his phone, where Anita’s photo was plastered across the screen. “Text it to yourself. We have no idea how she’s going to try and smuggle them in, so keep your eyes sharp. They might not be visible at all.”“Just look for a bitch in leather.” Jane suggested fiercely. She’d memorized every inch of Anita’s photo on their journey, but she had a feeling the woman’s clothing would call more attention than anything else.“Okay.” Linda nodded, sending off a message so that her own phone binged in notification. “And if I see her?”“Call us, and don’t let her out of your sight.” Ethan instructed.“What if she goes past the palace gates, we can’t exactly walk inside.” Linda murmured.“We have to play it by ear.” Ethan frowned. “If we can catch her before she gets that close, we will.”“And if not?” Jane asked, wringing her hands.“Then we’ll find a way to sn
EthanI think I’m going crazy.This waiting is interminable. I’m worried about my pups, worried about my mate – furious at the Goddess for doing this to us. I might understand if I was the only one who was suffering – I’ve certainly been no saint in the past. But Jane and the children don’t deserve this.I’ve been staring at my phone, waiting for Jane to respond to my last message, when I hear the first explosions.The fireworks! I thought, knowing this could only mean one thing. They were coming from Jane’s gate, which means she must have sight of the pups. I jump up from the table where I’ve been losing at chess for the last few hours, forgetting my pretense of being an old man as I take off in her direction.The elderly man scattered throughout the little park look up at me in shock, but I don’t have time for excuses or explanations. If Jane has eyes on the pup, she needs me. I’m painfully aware of how desperate she’s become, not that I blame her. I was praying that Anita would com
JaneI dream of Ethan.I dream of our last night together, before he made me promise him anything – when we were just two people in love, sharing our passion in the most natural way. The vision is surreal and wonderful at once, and my hazy thoughts are reluctant to return to reality. I keep myself trapped in the dream, only for it to change, transforming into a nightmare where I’m all alone, and running towards a finish line I won’t ever reach.No, I think, fighting the visions assailing my slumbering mind. Go back, don’t take Ethan from me now, I only just got him back.I’m still tossing and turning, fighting the twists and turns of my mind, when a new sound reaches my ears. “Why hasn’ she woked up yets?” A little voice asks.“I dunno, maybe she just really needs a nap.” Another replies.“But what if ‘Nita really hurted her?” The third voice is barely more than a whisper, and the next thing I know, I’m hurtling back into consciousness.My pups! I surge up into a sitting position, sca
JaneI’ve never met a King before.I’m not sure what I expected – a fancy throne? An old man in a crown and fur lined cape? A golden scepter? King Aimon doesn’t fulfill any of these expectations. Instead I find a middle aged man in simple clothing, seated in a private parlor in the Palace’s East Wing. The pups and I are herded inside by his guards, but I stop in the doorway, not wanting to move any closer to our captor.The room is set up as if a tea party is about to be held, with a steaming china kettle and an array of snacks on silver trays. Normally I would have my hands full having to hold the pups back from all the cakes and sweets, but they’re all cowering safely behind me, not trusting this strange situation.The King rises to his feet as the door closes behind us.“Well I can certainly see why you turned my feckless son’s head.” Aimon says by way of greeting. The words aren’t a compliment – he says them entirely without feeling or emotion, and his face is an expressionless mas
EthanI only stop long enough to tie up the guards I fought, swipe their uniforms and pick up Linda. I can’t stop picturing Jane being loaded into the back of that van, the ruthless way Anita fought her, the frightened cries of my pups. The images play over and over again in my mind, driving me half mad with fear, fury and self-loathing.I’m so angry with myself for letting Jane come along on this trip. This is precisely why I shouldn’t have given in to my wolf. I never should have split us up either, but I didn’t know what else to do given the gate situation. Goddess, I hope she’s alright. I’ll do anything, give anything, for her and the pups to be home safe again. As usual my prayers are met only with silence, but I can only hope the Goddess is too busy looking after my family to respond at the moment. I don’t know how I’m going to get them back: I have no idea where they’re being kept in the palace, but for once I might actually be able to track them in this rain-soaked kingdom.“
JaneAfter our meeting with Aimon, I came back to the room with the pups and immediately began trying to figure out a way to escape. I think they were a little disappointed and if I’m honest, I am too. I wish I were able to simply hold them tight and give them all the love and nurturing they’ve been missing these last few weeks. But that will have to wait until we’re safe. Then I can lavish my affection on them, and pry the more difficult details about their ordeal from their lips. I’m afraid of what they might tell me, but I know we have to have that talk in order to heal.After scouring the room from top to bottom, I’m beginning to feel very nervous. I can’t find anything that might help us break free. There are sheets I could tie into ropes once night falls, but we’re too high up and it feels terribly risky with such young pups. The best weapon I came across were some particularly spikey stilettos in the wardrobe – there aren’t even razors in the bathroom.I even searched the walls
Ethan No, no, no. It isn’t real, this isn’t happening. I was afraid our escape had been too easy, but I’m not sure what other choice we had. We were only two people, and doing this job right would have required an army. Maybe we should have taken more time to plan, rather than rushing in, but in the end it was always going to be the same odds. Besides, we had a very small window after I knocked the guards out and stole their uniforms, we wouldn’t have been able to use them as disguises tomorrow or the next day – after Aimon realized we had them. It was a blessing we’d been able to find Jane and the pups so quickly, and Linda’s quick thinking truly had been inspired. I don’t regret the way we went about the rescue, I only regret that we didn’t succeed. This isn’t the way I wanted it to end. In a one-on-one fight I’m confident I could easily defeat Aimon – he’s twenty years my senior after all. However I don’t trust the King to give me a fair fight. Right now he’s standing at the Pa
3rd Person “Shhh, you’re gonna wakes him!” Paisley whispered, scolding her brothers when they started to get a little too rowdy at Ethan’s bedside. “When is he gonna gets up, anyway?” Parker frowned. “He’s been sleeping forevers!” “Mommy says we haves to give him time.” Riley reminded him, peeking up over the edge of the bed. “He looks really sleepy.” “Well a course he does.” Ryder responded wryly, “everyone looks sleepy when they’re sleeping.” “You know what I mean.” Riley countered archly. “Like he needs rest.” “Are you pups being good?” Linda’s voice sounded at the doorway. She’d been checking in at the nurses station when the pups disappeared from her side. Of course, it didn’t take her long to find them at all. They’d been trying to sneak into Ethan’s room all night, not understanding the hospital’s rules about visiting hours. “Yes Auntie Linda.” They chimed in unison. “Are you sure about that?” Ethan’s gr