Chapter 34
Ella.
Ella glared as Lia stepped through the door. It was Adam’s idea - something about putting Lia in her place. She still didn’t like it, but Ella went along with it. Lia would watch the twins while Ella and Adam devised a plan to stop Orion. Adam made it clear to Lia that they were not together, and that she was doing this as a favor to the Alpha.
Lia scowled at Ella as she came into the house, a pout formed on her lips. Adam trailed behind her, shutting the door as they entered.
The twins came racing around the corner as Aaron chased Emme. They came to an immediate halt as they noticed the stranger.
“Who’s that?” Aaron asked, pointing to Lia.
“This,” Ella said, drawing out the word and gesturing to Lia, “is your babysitter for the day while your dad and I have a discussion.”
“But I don’t want you to leave!” Emme complained, running to hug her mother’s leg.
Ella squatted down, embracing Emme. “Don’t worry, hon. We won’t be long. Besides, Lia can take you to the park so you’re not stuck in this house again.”
Emme’s face immediately brightened at the mention of the park. The twins cheered, hopping up and down with excitement. They raced to grab their shoes and put them on.
While Aaron and Emme gathered their shoes, Ella turned to Lia. “Remember, if you need anything, you have my number. Do not hesitate to call me.”
“And don’t go anywhere besides the park and Everett’s house,” Adam added.
“Whatever,” Lia said, crossing her arms.
Ella brought her fingers up to the corner of her mouth, gesturing for Lia to smile. Lia rolled her eyes, relaxed her arms, and put on a beaming smile for the kids.
“Who’s ready to go to the park?” she asked as the twins came to line up by the door, shoes on their feet and baseball caps on their heads.
Lia opened the front door, leading the twins out. Adam shut the door behind them.
“Shall we discuss then?” he suggested, gesturing to the table already piled with papers.
Ella nodded and grabbed one of the wooden chairs, scooting it away from the table with a slight hiss as the pads on the bottom scraped across the linoleum floor. They both sat down and Adam’s chair creaked as he sat. Ella giggled as Adam scowled at the chair betraying his weight, though he knew it was from muscle instead of fat.
***
Orion.
Orion waited in a cave just outside the Moon Rising Pack’s territory. Since Adam had found his original hiding place, he had been forced to relocate. He grimaced at the barren rocky structure surrounding him. It was so dank and smelled like sulfur. But if their plan worked, he wouldn’t have to camp out there much longer - he would be one step closer to taking over the Moon Rising Pack!
He sniffed as a stalactite dripped with the sulfur-smelling water. Despite the awful scent, his senses were still keen enough to notice Lia nearing the cave. He smiled as he scented the two Alpha-born pups with her. Orion stepped out of the cave as they neared, letting the warmth of the sun’s rays seep into his cold body.
“Good work, love,” he said as Lia came trotting over, two sleeping pups dragging behind her in a sack secured to a makeshift sled.
Lia smirked as she finished shifting into her human form. “It wasn’t even hard,” she laughed.
She hungrily moved toward Orion, pulling his shirt off before planting her lips on his. Lia undid his pants and slid her perfectly manicured fingers inside. Orion grabbed her around the waist and shoved her against the wall of the cave. She moaned in delight - she always did like things a little rough. He pinned her in place, hungrily taking everything she had to give. A low growl sounded in his throat as things heated up, their bodies moving in sync.
“Mmmm, yes, my Alpha!” Lia exclaimed, but before she could utter anything else, Orion wrapped his hand around her neck, choking off her breath.
He grinned against her lips, knowing that Lia was ultimately his - even the air she breathed was his to give or take. Her nails grew into claws, scratching up his back. Orion grabbed her hands and pinned them above her head, completely in control.
As they finished, a tiny whimper cut through the air. Emme and Aaron stirred on the sled.
“Are you sure they’ll stay asleep the whole time?” Orion asked Lia.
“Of course,” she replied, lazily tracing his scars. “I gave them enough wolfsbane to keep them sedated through the night and into the morning.”
“You accounted for their father’s genes? Alpha-born pups will take a higher dose than a regular pup.”
“Have I ever let you down?”
Orion’s lip curled up in a half-smile. “I guess not.”
“Then don’t worry. Trust me.” She pecked him on the cheek before getting up and stretching her legs.
“We should probably bring them inside the cave just in case.”
Lia nodded, grabbing onto the sled and pulling it over the uneven ground and into the uninviting cavern. The sun was setting now and Lia could just picture the worried looks on Adam and Ella’s faces as they realized their children weren’t coming home. The corner of her mouth lifted in an amused grin, and she sat down with a chuckle.
***
Ella.
Lia should have been back by now. Where were they? Adam and Ella had finished their plan ages ago it seemed. Ella looked out the window, a worried look on her face as she chewed on her thumb. Adam had assured her they’d be fine before heading out the door to check if they were still at the park.
He wouldn’t let her come. “It was too dangerous,” he had said. Ella humphed, letting the door slam shut in front of her as he left. She stared out the window, watching him go. Waiting anxiously, Ella had started pacing in front of the window, never taking her eyes away. The longer Adam was gone, the more she worried.
Ella jumped as her phone began to ring. Pulling it from her pocket hastily, it slipped from her grip and slammed onto the floor, sending cracks radiating across the screen from the corner that made impact. She picked it up with a sigh and pushed the answer button. She held the device up to her ear, fear gripping her chest.
“They’re not at the playground,” Adam’s troubled voice spoke from the other end.
“What?” Ella asked, nearly dropping the phone again.
“I’ve got Preston searching with me.”
“I’m coming,” Ella responded, about to hang up and charge out of the house.
“No, Ella. I need you safe.”
His words caused Ella to halt in her tracks. “But–”
“But nothing, Ella. If this was Cassius… I mean, Orion, then the best place for you is at home. I can’t lose the twins and you. Please stay there. Preston and I have it covered. I’ll let you know as soon as I know anything.”
She gulped and took in a deep, shuddering breath. Ella nodded, forgetting Adam couldn’t see her.
“Ella? You heard me, right? Stay there.”
“Y-yes. I heard you,” she answered, nodding her head again. “Let me know as soon as you have any news.”
“I will.”
With that, they hung up the phone and Ella moved to the couch, slumping down into it. She stared blankly at the wall. Her babies were missing. They were in trouble and all she could do was sit there helplessly. Tears pooled in her eyes. They spilled over and ran down her face, collecting on the bottom of her chin before dripping down onto her clasped hands. But she noticed none of this - all she could do was stare at the nothingness, her mind drifting away so she didn’t have to think about the horrible possibilities.