Jane “Come on munchkins, we’re going on an adventure!” I announce, “get your coats.” The pups look at me suspiciously. “What kinda venture?” Riley asks. Their first therapy session had helped more than I expected. I don’t know everything they talked about with the doctor, but I expect having another adult reassuring them that they were loved and safe helped set them at ease. They still aren’t really talking to me, but they’re not fighting me as hard as they were before either. The hardest part is still when they wake in the middle of the night crying out in fear, then asking for Ethan when I go to comfort them. It’s the worst with Paisley. She’s never lived without her father before, and I’m trying to keep a special eye on her. She asks for him more than any of the others, and it seems most difficult for her to believe we can’t simply call him and ask for a visit. The more time that passes the angrier I become with Ethan for leaving our babies. It’s one thing to hurt me, but anoth
3rd Person Jane was kicking herself. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t foreseen this possibility. Of course the pups would ask Santa to reunite them with Ethan – Santa was supposed to be able to provide any gift you wanted, even ones parents didn’t approve. She watched with bated breath as the tree farm Santa processed the children’s gift request, praying he wouldn’t make a promise she couldn’t keep. The last thing she needed was for this to be the year the pups found out the truth about Santa Claus. That would only add fuel to the fire. She could already see it playing out in her mind’s eye, tearful accusations of lies and tricks on top of everything else. The Santa glanced at her for guidance, and she shook her head firmly. The pups were still gazing up at him in awe, waiting to see if he would make their dreams come true. “Ho now, that’s an awfully difficult thing for my elves to make in the workshop.” The man bluffed, “Isn’t there something else you’d like? Some nice toys?” “No.
3rd Person “Okay, so how’re we gonna do this?” Paisley asked, sitting around a large piece of construction paper with her siblings. Ryder – who had the best handwriting of all four – had written “Opration Santa” at the top of the page. Other than its title however, the page was entirely blank. “Well, we know the North Pole’s at the top of the world, right?” Riley asked, waiting until the others nodded in agreement before continuing. “So if we just keep walking north then eventually we’ll have to get there!” “Yeah but that could take ages!” Parker cautioned. “The Dark Moon pack is north, but there’s at least two other packs between us and the pole.” “Tha’s a good point.” Ryder agreed, “So maybe if we travel to one of the other packs and start there?” “Yeah! But we can’t take too long, we have to make sure we can get there and back afore Christmas.” Paisley warned. “Maybe we can get a ride back with Santa!” Riley suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Wow, that would be
Jane I can’t believe this! I can’t believe this is happening! I take off into the snow, following my pups’ scent and leaving my negligent babysitter behind. What was I thinking? I knew better than to take my eyes off of them, to trust anyone else with their precious lives! Did I not learn my lesson in the Southern Isles! What is wrong with me! Their scent is leading me towards the horse stables, and suddenly I realize what they must be planning, they must be thinking they can drive one of the sleighs all the way to Santa Claus. I don’t have the faintest idea why they’ve chosen to go to the North Pole when there’s a Santa Claus here in the grotto – unless of course they figured this one isn’t the real Santa Claus. As soon as I think it, I know this must be the case. Oh Goddess, why is this happening? I’m cursing Ethan as I run. This is his fault. They want him, that’s why they’re so determined to get to Santa. I have half a mind to go back to the NightFang territory and give him a
Jane “Daddy!” The sound of my pups’ frightened voices send me jerking upright in bed, suddenly and completely awake. I rush to their bedroom, flipping on the light and finding all four children piled on one bed, tears running down their cheeks. “Oh my loves, did you have nightmares?” I croon, immediately moving forward to comfort them They nod, but instead of running into my arms, they tighten their ranks. “Yes, but we don’t want you, we want Daddy!” Paisley cries. Pain slices through me, so powerfully it steals the breath from my lungs. I feel as though I’ve been punched in the stomach. No matter how bad things are between us, I’ve always been the one my pups turn to when they’re frightened or upset. “Well Daddy isn’t here.” I say shakily. “So you can have me, or nothing.” “T-then we ch-choose nothing.” Riley informs me through her sobs. I close my eyes so they can’t see me cry, nodding as my insides harden to stone. “Please don’t be that way. You know I love you, I don’t want
Jane “Okay, you can do this. You can do this. You can do this.” I repeat to myself, staring at the phone in my hands with utter trepidation. The pups are sleeping soundly in their bedroom, and I’m getting ready to sacrifice my dignity in their honor. I’m not sure how Ethan will respond to my phone call, if he’ll even answer when he sees my number on the screen. I’m half tempted to go find a pay phone and call from a number he won’t recognize, but I decide to try this first. Taking one last deep breath, I dial and hit the send button, raising the device to my ear. It seems to ring for an utter eternity, but eventually the line clicks, and Ethan’s deep voice sounds in my ear. “Jane?” The familiar sound sends a shiver down my spine. “Hello Ethan.” “I thought I told you not to contact me.” Ouch, I know I expected failure, but that seems harsh, even for Ethan. “Actually you just told me to leave, you didn’t say I couldn’t ever reach out.” I correct him hoarsely. It’s only been four w
Jane If I thought I was angry before, it’s nothing compared to what I feel now. I’ve known maternal rage plenty of times since bringing the pups into the world, not the least of which was when Anita stole them from us and Aimon threatened their lives. Still, this mistreatment feels worse – because it’s not coming from some dark foe, but from the person who is supposed to love and protect them most – second only to me. The more I think about it, the more I believe that the betrayal of a parent is the worst transgression a pup can suffer, and I hate Ethan for abandoning our children. I want to storm back to the NightFang territory and beat him bloody – and the idea is so tempting I have to remind myself I have responsibilities here. I’m trying to get back into the swing of things at work, and I’m terribly behind on my La Louve duties. Not to mention that I’m devoting the weekends to trying to win over my heartbroken pups. They’ve barely spoken to me since I stopped them from goi
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