Chapter 73
Evelyn’s POV
Calvin’s words echoed in my mind as I sat next to the hospital beds. I’d just finished giving the twins their medicine and was checking their treatment when the door opened quietly.I knew who it was before looking up.
Small hands covered my eyes from behind.
“Guess who?” Alexis giggled near my ear.
“Could it be my little wolf princess?” I smiled, putting down my tablet.
“Yes!” She squealed as I turned and lifted her up. Her small body felt so precious against mine, a miracle I cherished every day.
Alexis looked at her sleeping brothers. “When will Rowan and Rhys wake up? I miss them p>
“Soon, baby,” I said, fixing her hair. “The medicine is making them better. They just need more rest p>
Calvin walked in. Our eyes met briefly before I looked away. Emma stood behind him in the doorway.
“Emma, could you take Alexis outside for a bit?” I asked.
“No!” Alexis held onto my sweater. “I want to stay with Mommy p>
I kissed her head. “I just need to talk with Alpha Calvin about your brothers. Then we can play anything you want. Okay p>
She thought about it seriously, then nodded. “Promise p>
“Wolf’s honor,” I made our special sign,a paw print over my heart.
After they left, I faced Calvin. His eyes gave nothing away.
“I sent someone to meet you,”I said coolly.”If you couldn’t agree, that’s not my problem p>
“That wasn’t Dr. Blake. It was Gary,” he said, voice cold.
I kept my face blank, though surprised.
“I see.”I replied.
“You should know your friend better. Gary,the illegitimate son of Eros Pack’s former Alpha p>
My back straightened. I felt protective of Gary instantly. “What are you implying p>
“Just facts. I saw him at Logan’s succession ceremony. His mother made quite a scene begging for recognition p>
My hands clenched. “You know nothing about Gary’s past p>
“Gary’s mother died from LDS when he was nineteen,” I said tightly. “She left him with medical bills and a small payment from the father who never claimed him. But he got through medical school, finished top of his class p>
I stood up, meeting Calvin’s eyes. “He’s not just my friend. He’s family. The kind you choose, not the kind that leaves when things get hard p>
I saw the words hit home in his narrowed eyes. Good.
“He’s vital to the twin’s treatment. So whatever issue you have with the Waltons, leave Gary out of it.”My voice dropped lower, cold as ice. “If you try to hurt him, I’ll make you regret it p>
Anger flashed in Calvin’s eyes. “Threatening me over another man p>
“Tell me, Eve, is your heart a hotel? Always room for one more p>
“First love, husband, lover and those are just the ones I know about. Should I start taking numbers p>
I didn’t bother explaining myself to his prejudice.
Instead, I gave him my sweetest smile. “Don’t worry your pretty Alpha head, Calvin p>
“My heart could shatter into a million pieces, and you still wouldn’t get one p>
The door burst open as Alexis ran in, having escaped Emma.
“Mommy! You promised to play!” She pulled my hand. “Hide and seek p>
I looked at Calvin, our talk cut short.
“Hide and seek! Hide and seek!” Alexis chanted, bouncing.
Calvin’s face softened slightly watching her.
“May I join?” he asked.
Alexis looked up at him, shy but nodding. “Okay. But Mommy’s ’it’ first p>
“We can do that,” I said with a forced smile.
We went to the garden after checking the twins. Spring flowers bloomed, and sun fell through the trees.Watching Alexis skip ahead, I could almost pretend we were normal.
Almost.
“Your tie would make a good blindfold,” Alexis told Calvin.
He raised an eyebrow but took off his blue tie. Our fingers touched as he handed it over, making my arm tingle.
I tied it around my eyes, catching his scent before I could stop myself.
“Count to twenty!” Alexis giggled, running away on the grass.
I counted loud, turning slowly to lose direction. At twenty, I called, “Ready or not, here I come p>
Blindfolded, I heard better. Alexis was trying not to giggle to my left. I walked that way, arms out.
“I’m going to find you!” I sang, making her laugh more.
I found her quick. She squealed when I touched her hair. “You found me, Mommy p>
“I’ll always find you, baby,” I said, keeping the blindfold. “Now let’s find Alpha Calvin p>
We walked together, Alexis pulling my hand. I felt Calvin watching us quietly.
“This way, Mommy,” Alexis whispered, leading me.
I reached out, expecting cloth or Calvin’s arm.
Instead, I touched cold metal,a wheelchair. My hand found thin, cold fingers. The wrist felt too small.
I pulled off the blindfold. Gary smiled at me, eyes bright.
“Surprise, Eve,” he said, pointing to the chair. “Look who’s awake p>
I saw familiar brown eyes,still cold, but alert.
Leon sat there, thin and pale, but awake.