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Chapter 17
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 had come right after and because Id had to learn it from the fucking internet .
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 internet 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 Id come clean with her .
I told her how I felt .
I tried to break with her .
3/6 up She wouldnt hear it .
She insisted Id come 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 lilac eyes .
The picture was so real , my breath caught .
Evelyn thought I was reacting to her .
She jumped up and down and clapped .
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 .noveldrama
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 said last 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 ever come 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 He laughed .
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 .