The day of the claiming dawns bright and clear. I am almost woozy with lack of sleep, having spent the whole night – as promised – tearing apart Amelia’s table cloth and making it into something new. I caught a few hours of sleep, just before dawn, but now I’m up, showered, and ready to face the da
“Thank you for coming.” Annabeth Prath steps out into the middle of the circle, dressed in a gorgeous white pantsuit. I was pleased when Victor told me that she would be running the ceremony – she’s important for him, politically, and I personally quite like her politics. “Today we are blessed to b
As I keep one eye on Annabeth, I notice the a number of Betas in black escorting the members of the press away from the circle. They protest, clearly desiring to stay, but they are firmly escorted back to the pool for refreshments. Annabeth beckons Victor forward again and he stands at her side. “T
“You would have refused, Evelyn!” Victor yells, slamming my kitchen door behind him as he stalks into the room behind me. We just spent the last half-hour shaking hands and smiling at people’s congratulations. I kissed my boys, laughed at Willard’s jokes about surprises, smiled for pictures, all th
Victor takes a step away from me and drops his hands, his face now wary and curious. “What do you mean? How could he have wanted this?” “I don’t know,” I say, exhausted and at the end of my emotional rope. “I don’t know what he gains from this, but I do know that he called you to his house for a re
“Ian,” I call, wrapped in my favorite knitted white blanket on Victor’s couch, “come on baby, back away from the TV. You’re going to burn your eyeballs out, standing that close.” Ian is standing with his nose inches away from the tv, his hands pressed against the screen. He barely blinks and I thin
The same blurry photo flashes on the screen. “Persons close to the family are now confirming that this is indeed Evelyn Ortega, a psychologist and single mother who was, until yesterday, a Rogue member of James Willard’s pack. “However,” the reporter continues, a certain amount of glee now in her v
Victor and Amelia sit quietly at a little table that the Betas have moved into their bedroom for this special occasion. The room is filled with candle light and white roses, soft music plays in the background. Amelia twirls her fork absently in her linguini noodles, staring at the wall. “Are you…e