Chapter 219

Jane My plan to sneak-move into the penthouse is working better than I imagined. Granted, I keep catching my pups practicing their maniacal laughs in the mirror, but in the grand scheme of thìngs, encouraging their talents for mastermining dastardly plots isn’t the worst idea. After all, I want to encourage their ambition in whatever they do even if it is taking over the world.

Regardless of the burgeoning tricksters under my roof, everything else has gone fairly smoothly. I was able to hire last minute movers to pack up and bring everything from our apartment in the Dark Moon territory and transport it here. The only real challenge was making sure they didn’t deliver it until after Nina had left the house for the day.

Once they did, we hid everything away in our rooms, waiting for the opportune moment to bring it out.

It hasn’t been easy to share a space with Nina, but she spends so much time at the hospital that we hardly see her. Devon, who promptly told me about Ethan’s plans to continue pushing me away and agreed to help my own schemes, has informed me that Ethan is suspicious about the pups and my absence from his bedside. At the same time, that Ethan is suspicious about the pups and my absence from his bedside. At the same time, there’s not anything he can do about it while he’s still convalescing.

The surgeons released Ethan after a week, after he progressed enough in his physical therapy to be able to walk and run without assistance, and stay on his feet for an extended period of time.

When the pups and I got the news that Ethan would finally be released, we waited for Nina to depart before unpacking all the boxes which had been delivered over the last few days. So when Ethan came walking through the door on Thursday evening, looking tired but pleased to be home, he was met with the surprise that he and Nina no longer live alone.

The moment the door opens the pups shout, ” Welcome home Daddy!” Jumping up and cheering beneath a sign bearing the same words. At first Ethan only grins, kneeling down and opening his arms to them.

“Oh thank you.” He professes warmly, hugging them close. “I’ve missed you four, where have you been?”

“We’ve been plotting!” Riley announces proudly, making me facepalm.

“Plotting?” Ethan repeats with a chuckle. “Uh-oh, I’m not sure I like the sounds of that.” He looks around the apartment for the first time, noticing all the pups’ toys, as well as my furniture and decorations. Understanding immediately clicks on his handsome face, and he stands, cupping Paisley’s head in his oversized hand, “I see, you really have been plotting”

Nina steps up behind him, her mouth hanging open in shock. “Where did all this stuff come from?

How did you even get it up here?” Luckily – for her her harsh words are directed at me rather than the pups. I’m still seated in the living room, waiting for the inevitable fall out of our silent coup.

Nina’s words seem to jolt something in Ethan’s thoughts. He swings his head around until his narrowed eyes land on me, “have you been lifting boxes?” He demands, gesturing to my round belly.

“Oh honestly Ethan, they move into your house behind your back and all you care about is whether Jane’s been lifting things!” Nina exclaims, obviously outraged.

“No.” Ethan answers, a note of warning in his voice, “that’s simply the first on my list of Concerns.”

Don’t worry Daddy, we helped her. And the movers brought everything upstairs.” Parker assures his father.

Movers? Ethan repeats, nodding. If I didn’t know any better I’d think he looks impressed by our efforts, but I know my mate too well to think that will last. “Well Janey, I have to hand it to you, I figured you were doing something naughty, but you really exceeded my expectations with this one.

Nina grumbles something unintelligible under her breath, and I catch Ethan sending her a disapproving look. “Nina could you take the pups to the park for a bit? I need to speak with Jane alone.”

“What!?” Nina bursts indignantly. “Oh no, I don’t thìnk so!I live here too Ethan. I have every right to be part of this conversation.”

“Nina, I’m not in the mood to argue.” Ethan bites back, sending a stern rumble in her direction.

She balks and levels me with a vicious glare.

Fine, but if they try any ticks then I won’t be responsible for my actions.” She threatens, stalkìng towards the door.

“Oh yes you will”I hiss, rising gracelessly to my feet, “Those are my babies you’re talking about. If you bring them back with a single scratch I will make you wish you’d never been born.”

The pups snigger behind their hands, and Nina throws her arms up in defeat. “Honestly, what have I done to deserve this” She mutters, stomping out the door and leaving a litany or complaints in her wake, “AIl I do is give and give, and this is the thanks I get! I swear… mother frmni huffnrg grffmkr.” The pups trail after the grumbling woman, waving at me happily and blowing kisses.

I wave in return, so distracted by their adorable gestures that I barely notice the angry Alpha closing in on me. Ethan moves to tower Over me, and I’m amazed by how smooth his movements are. He’s wearing his most foreboding expression, but I can only smile in return. “I can’t believe how well you’re moving, you look so wonderful.” I praise. “How does it feel?”

Ethan shakes his head in warning, and points to the couch. “Sit”

I peer up at him from beneath my long, dark lashes and reach for his hand, “won’t you come sit with me? I’ve heard that couches can be very dangerous for pregnant she-wolves.”

I can tell Ethan is trying to keep a straight face, but the corner of his mouth is twitching. “Is that so?” He inquires menacingly.

“Oh yes, apparently they’ve been known to swallow women whole!” I confirm, “I definitely think I need protection.”

Ethan’s mouth flattens to a hard line. “And yet you were sitting there just moments ago.” He observes.

I make my eyes go wide and press my lips into a pout as I slide my hands up his muscular arms to his broad shoulders, “well, you can never be too cautious.”

“You can’t get out of trouble by flirting with me, Janey.” Ethan admonishes, leading me to the sofa.

Despite his stern words, he does sit down next to me. Of course, he’s careful to keep space between us, but I know I’m getting to him already. “Did you really think this scheme would work?”

I nod, tilting my head to the side as I study my mate. “Do you really expect me to believe you’re going to throw the pups and I out onto the street?”

I counter shrewdly.

“The options for housing are not: this penthouse or the street, Jane.” He replies evenly. “If you want to stay in town for a while I won’t stop you, but I think it would be best for everyone concerned if you found a hotel or a rental space.”

“Hmm,” I hum thoughtfully, tapping my chin with my finger. “No.”I decide after a moment. “I think the kids and I will stay right here.”

“Jane.” Ethan growls my name in warning.

“Yes, my love?” I inquire innocently, scooting a bit closer to him.

He takes a steadying breath, rising to his feet before I can sneak my way into his lap. “The answer is no.” He declares firmly, towering over me.

“And yet, I wasn’t asking.”I reply easily, crossing my arms over my chest to mirror his own stance.

And believe me Ethan, when I say I’m not going anywhere, I mean that you will literally have to drag me out of here kicking and screaming in order to make me leave.”

“That won’t be hard, I’m twice your size, even if I’m not back in top form yet.” Ethan observes,arching his brows in challenge.

“Maybe so,” I agree, curling my lips into a smirk as I settle my hands on my baby bump, “but I’ve already had one scare with this baby. Who knows what damage manhandling me might do? It’s not like the old days when you could just toss me over your shoulder like a bag of flour.”

If I had to guess, I’d say that Ethan is currently counting to ten in his mind, trying to keep his temper under control. “Janey, earlier this week you were telling me that you’re perfectly fine. You can’t have it both ways.

“That’s true, assuming you believe I was being honest.” I counter with a shrug. “I mean clearly I’ve been traveling and lifting heavy boxes and doing all sorts of irresponsible things. Who’s to say whether or not I was lying then so you wouldn’t boss me around?”

Ethan snorts, giving me a derisive look. “Nice try little wolf, but I know you. You wouldn’t risk your pup so recklessly.”

“True, but neither would you.” I bite back. “And you can’t be completely sure that forcing me out of here won’t hurt the babe, which means you won’t lay a hand on me.”

“I can just order you, I’m the Alpha remember?”

He threatens.

“Oh I haven’t forgotten.” I answer suggestively, openly ogling his powerful form. “But if you recall, this all started because – as your mate – I can defy your orders when I put my mind to it.”

I think Ethan is counting again, but I decide that enough is enough. “Face it, Ethan.” I declare triumphantly. “You’re stuck with me. And there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.”