Chapter 204

#Chapter 204 – Preparations Closing his eyes, Victor takes a deep breath as he settles back into the chair at the little makeshift desk in the living room – the same makeshift command room that he and Alvin had set up before going away to war on Walsh.

God damnit, how long ago had that been, when his son had helped him organize his papers? When Evelyn and Ian had been horribly gone, and he had wondered if he would ever give them back?

Victor shakes his head, working to dismiss the memories, but they’re persistent. So he leans his head back on the chair and works to take a few cleansing breaths, clearing his mind.

Damn it, but he was tired. Bone tired.

Of course, he feels infinitely better than he had felt yesterday, and the days before that, when he’d been dying. But this current state…it wasn’t strong. This morning, when he’d awoken with Evelyn, he had felt like he could move worlds, had felt so happy and revived.

But now, in the late afternoon of that first day back to himself, he’s coming to realize just how weak his body really is. Gone is the vigor of his Alpha strength, which used to carry him for hours on very little sleep.

Now, he feels like he could sleep for days and still not feel replenished.

Opening his eyes, Victor looks into the kitchen where Evelyn is sitting with the boys, calmly chatting with them over cups of cocoa. She’d spent the entire day within an arm’s reach of them, not able to get enough hugs and kisses and pats and passing touches to fill her weary heart.

Guilt pangs through Victor as he realizes this. Evelyn hadn’t left his side for days – for more than a week. The boys had been stoic, of course – had borne the lack of their mother and father as bravely as two six-year-old boys could.

But now, seeing her wrapped up in them, Victor realizes how much she gave him in these past days.

Just how much she was willing to sacrifice to pull him through.

Those children were her world, and she had left them to be by his side.

And then, what she had done last night…what she had taken on, half of his illness, giving him half of her life – risking everything just to give him the chance to live.

God damnit, Victor thinks, fighting back tears of guilt and gratitude and love and joy and fear. God damnit, how can I ever endeavor to deserve her.

Evelyn catches his eye then, looking up from the table with a smirk on her face. Then, very simply, she sends him the mental image of a ridiculously large diamond poised neatly on a golden band.

Victor can’t help the laugh that echoes through him at that. He hadn’t been aware that he had broadcasted his thoughts to Evelyn in that moment – he’d have to be more careful.

But he was grateful, again, for her ability to make him laugh even in the darkest moments of his life.

She turns her attention back to the boys, that smirk still on her lips.

God, but he wanted to wipe that smirk off her mouth with his own, with a kiss that told her just how grateful he was.

He shakes his head ruefully, knowing that paying her back – ever – is impossible, no matter how big the diamond. He will be forever in her debt and will spend the rest of his life trying to give her everything she could ever want.

He just hopes that they’ll live long enough to do it.

Victor stis up straight at the desk, then, turning away from the macabre thought. There’s work to be done, no matter how tired he is. Rafe strides through the front door in that moment and Victor is glad to see him. Rafe’s appearance means news and Victor is glad of the distraction.

“Brother,” Rafe says, working to keep his face Alpha-serious and not burst into the smile that’s lurking beneath. He’s been thrilled all day at the change in his brother’s situation.

“Big brother, please,” Victor says, his too-serious voice causing Rafe to break and laugh. Rafe tosses the papers on the desk, flopping himself in a chair pulled up close, one leg draped over the arm.

“I’ll never call you big brother, not in a million years, so don’t hold your breath on that one, Victor,” Rafe says, giving up all the pretense of Alpha formality. He frowns, then, studying his brother’s weary face.

“Are you all right? Do you need a break?”

“I’m fine,” Victor says, shooting him a little glare before reaching for the papers. He’s not fine – he knows that he’ll need to rest before long – but there’s still work to be done.

“Annabeth Prath will be here any minute,” Rafe says, looking towards the door. “The press is going a bit wild, you know, reporting on the fall of the Walsh and Willard packs. The rumors are getting out of hand, and she wants some clarity from you about how to proceed.”

“I’ll be glad to give it to her,” Victor murmurs, leafing through the pages. He’s not ready to brief the press – not yet. Not until he gets his strength back. Let them spin their stories and their rumors. But Annabeth – letting her in on the details will be productive. She can decide what to tell the press and when – buy Victor a bit more time.

Rafe nods, keeping quiet, watching Victor thumb through the papers, quickly assessing their contents.

“So what I’m getting from this,” Victor says after a few more moments of contemplation, “is that we have…absolutely no idea where Amelia is.”

Rafe screws his mouth to the side and nods ruefully. “She’s had time, Victor. Our forces were distracted – we left almost no one assigned to these alternate projects while we went to war. She was either lucky or she planned it that way. She just slipped through the cracks.”

Victor sighs and leans back in his seat. “It won’t last,” he murmurs. “She’ll show her face again. The problem is, if we give her enough time to do it, she’ll attach herself to another pack, another Alpha, and get their protection. Maybe even make us go to war with them in order to achieve justice for what she’s done to my pack and my home.”

Rafe nods, considering. “So, what do you want to do?”

Victor turns his head to his brother and shrugs ruefully. “Honestly, should we get Burton on the case?”

He shoots a glance at the butler, studiously washing dishes in the kitchen. “He seems to be three steps ahead of everyone anyway.”

Rafe laughs at this, likewise looking at the enigma in the kitchen. “It can’t hurt,” he replies.

“No, but seriously,” Victor says, turning his attention back to the paperwork and frowning. “Turn as much of our forces towards finding her as we can, while Evelyn and I are away following this damn map, trying to find this woman, whoever she is.”

Rafe nods. “I’ll spearhead the search and begin as soon as you leave.”

“And the preparations for that?” Victor asks, looking at his brother and putting the papers down.

Rafe nods again. “All set. They’re taking the RV out of storage; they’ll have it prepped to go tomorrow.”

Victor nods to his brother, silent. Inwardly, he marvels at this turn he’s seen in his brother in the past few months. At the wedding, when he hadn’t seen him for months, Rafe had been…well, a complete jerk. And then, with everything with the pack –

Victor is ready to forget all of that, though, glad to just be closer to his brother, able to trust him again –

But, as Victor considers his brother, who looks down at his hands, he realizes that not all is quite right.

Between them, as brothers, they’re solid – but something is bothering Rafe. Victor can see it, knows it in his bones. He c***s his head to the side, wondering –

A knock comes at the door, which is briskly opened without Victor having to call to anyone to come in.

“Sir,” a Beta says, peeking in. “Mrs. Prath.”

Victor stands, buttoning his suit jacket as he does. Annabeth enters then, an eager smile on her face.

“Victor,” she says, looking at him warmly. “It’s good to see you looking so well. I admit, I’m surprised.”

Her eyes fall on Rafe, then, and her eyebrows raise up. “Surprised by the company you keep as well.

The last I heard, this one was trying to steal your pack.”

“We have a lot to update you on, Annabeth,” Victor says with a warm smile. “Please, come in.”

“I’ll leave you to two it,” Rafe says, pushing up from his chair and giving Annabeth a smile. Then, he goes into the kitchen, seeking a snack while Victor and Annabeth have a little chat about how they will mutually control the future of the pack community.