Novel Wave 12

Posted by Adminh, ? Views, Released on March 7, 2025

12

REBECCA

For a long, endless second, I stood perfectly still. Every limb of mine was frozen, whether by fear, confusion, or… longing.

As soon as Reiner’s arms wrapped around me, as soon as I felt his lips brush against my hair… f**k, every single memory came flooding back like a raging river. The first kiss, the first caress, the first “I love you,” our marriage… it was him. He was my… I couldn’t help but…

James.

Within a second, my attention snapped from Reiner to the boy in my arms. We were in danger.

I instinct did the rest. A strong and well–aimed elbowing in Reiner’s stomach was enough to

pull him off me, bent over.

A familiar coldness – the same one that had filled my veins during every battle – enveloped me, and I clutched my child tighter, removing him from Reiner’s sight. Sensing the danger, James wrapped his arms and legs tighter to me and hid his face in my neck.

I hadn’t been the strongest she–wolf in my pack for nothing. Even though there was not a half–drop of Alpha blood in my veins, I had always been faster and stronger than the others, so

much so that I was the only one who could stand up to Reiner. I hadn’t always been able to

beat him, but I was perfectly capable of standing up to him.

“Mommy?” Jim whispered, wrapping his arms tighter around my neck.

“Any problem here, ma’am?” a deep voice rang out behind me. A security man (a bear shifter,

as his scent suggested) stood between Reiner and me, giving him a dirty look.

Reiner’s face was a mask of confusion, sadness, and regret, but he remained silent.

“Becks, please.” He whispered.

“Becks!”

I sighed with relief at the sound of Wayne’s voice ringing through the hall. Thank the Goddess, he was here. I didn’t bother to wonder how the hell he’d gotten here so fast or why he’d come

instead of Ravi (wasn’t Vi giving him a makeover?).

Bring Jim away. I mind–linked him.

No, you do that.

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+8 Point

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Reiner might follow us. If I stay, if I distract him…

Leave that to me. He insisted.

Wayne, he will not listen to you. Besides, you know how strong he is, and you know that, between you and me, I am the only one who can stand up to him. Do as I say and take James

away!

I’m a lawyer. He said. This time, his voice left no room for objections whatsoever. He will listen to me. And so will you. The longer you and James stay here, the more you are in danger. Now,

take the kid and get out of here.

I swallowed.

Maybe it was the best thing to do. Maybe a show of male strength and the fact that I wasn’t alone was the best solution to keep Reiner from trying to take the pups.

All right.

I quickly kissed Jim to reassure him and slipped behind Wayne.

Becks… Becks, please wait…

Reiner’s voice filled my mind again, so heartbroken and filled with grief and prayer, it broke my

heart.

I steeled myself and squeezed my baby tighter, forcing myself out of the stadium and ignoring the bond that begged me to stay, to run into his arms.

My babies came first.

I guess Jim is not happy with your… hasty exit. Wayne told me. I asked Ravi to contact a

friend of mine from the Knicks. They and the Lakers will be waiting for you guys at the locker room exit for a little meet and greet. Have the kid eat something while you wait. In the meantime, I’ll deal with the asshole and make sure he leaves.

A half–sob escaped my lips. That was not only a perfect way to fix James‘ special night gone wrong, but it would also get us home safely. If Reiner was the first to leave, he couldn’t follow

us.

One way or another… Wayne always managed to make things right. And in the process, make

them better.

Thank you so much, W. You’re the best.

I couldn’t see his face, but I knew he had chuckled.

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8 Point:

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Modestly, I know.

I nodded, and as soon as I was sure there was not the slightest chance Reiner could see James or the other way around, I put my baby down and hugged him tightly.

“I know all of this was very, very strange and confusing.” I told him, straining to smile. Jim nodded, “But what if I told you that, in addition to the pizza, Mommy has another surprise ready for tonight? A very, very big surprise?”

“As big as the stadium?” he asked, a small smile beginning to make its way onto his face. “Maybe even bigger.” I chuckled mysteriously. At last, Jim’s smile broke through in all its beauty, and I pulled him up. I doubted I’d ever be able to keep myself from holding him that night.

It was almost midnight when I finally managed to put Jim to sleep: meeting his heroes from both basketball teams had given him had been absolutely incredible for him – I already knew he would never forget it: by the time we had left, the kid was dressed head to toe in team merchandise and with the ball from that game signed by all the players clutched in his hands. I had rarely seen him so happy, and seeing all that joy on his face had brought tears to my

eyes.

“Sweet dreams, my love,” I murmured, kissing him on the forehead and slipping out of the bedroom he shared with Vi. When I’d bought the house, I’d made sure there would be at least three bedrooms for when they grew up, but for now those two were still inseparable.

Trying not to make any noise, I joined Wayne and Ravi in the kitchen. Wayne had driven us home after kicking Reiner out, but until that moment, we had not talked about it. We had spent what was left of the evening watching cartoons with the kids, whom I had then put to bed.

Now, however, it was time to talk about it.

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Luckily, Ravi had opened a good bottle of wine, probably anticipating that I would need it.

“Well?” I asked, sitting down on the kitchen countertop.

Wayne shrugged his shoulders.“Well, it didn’t go as I expected. A few moments after you left, Mark Davis showed up. You remember him?”

I nodded quickly. He had always been one of Reiner’s best friends, and he, too, had left the pack to pursue his dream career. The last I’d heard of him, four years ago now, he was working

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in California. Clearly, he’d moved.

“Anyway, he was looking for him. They had come to the game together. I told him to leave both

you and the child alone. Of course, I didn’t mention any names nor Violet – and to keep to himself, or we would pursue legal action. He didn’t open his mouth the whole time, and I think

he was quite in shock. Finally, Mark took him, and they left. He said he would take care of

him.” Wayne concluded with a half sigh. “There wasn’t much else I could do at the time except

threaten him, so that’s what I did.”

I swallowed, closing my eyes for a moment.“I highly doubt threats will stop him. He knows

Jim’s his. Well, anyone who sees them together would understand that. He won’t give in.”

“We’ll base our line of defense on how he behaves.” Ravi said. “In the meantime, I’ll do some

research to find out what situation both he and the pack are in. It’ll come in handy should we

actually have to defend ourselves.”

I nodded again, and for a moment, silence fell in the kitchen.

“How are you feeling?” Wayne then murmured, brushing my arm, and finally asking the

question that had been hanging in the air until that moment.

I took a deep breath, trying to hold back tears. How was I?

“I don’t know.” I murmured. “Shitty, overall. Part of me was overjoyed at seeing him again, but

the rest…” I shook my head, trying to chase away all those thoughts, all that pain. “I couldn’t

stop thinking that… that he and Sheila would just go to the Council and say the babies are his

to… take them.”

“It’s not that simple, Becks.” Ravi muttered.

“I’ve seen it happen!” I exclaimed quietly. “Countless Council rulings placing children in the care of their Alpha fathers if things didn’t work out between the parents, not giving a s**t if he was an asshole, or if the mother had left because of abuse… and I know Reiner’s not like that,

but his mother…”

“Yeah, well, those moms didn’t have me.” He commented, winking. “Moreover, your and Reiner’s story is different. I’m willing to put both hands on the fire that the moment he finds out what your mother did, he’ll be on your side up until his last breath.”

“I don’t think so.” I replied, skeptical. “Put yourself in his f*****g shoes. Your wife cheats, doing exactly what your mother put in your ear she would do for years, goes totally no contact, and

four

years later you find her standing in front of you with your child in her arms? And then she tells you it was all a big deception arranged by her wicked mother–in–law?!”

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“Again, every case is different.” He repeated, his voice as calm as a summer lake. “He will likely look for you again. Keep track of every conversation, every message, every interaction, and if possible, never find yourself alone with him.”

“And make sure that if you’re not around, the babies are always with someone you trust.” Wayne added. “Don’t add anyone to the list of people authorized to pick them up from school, and let the school know that under no circumstances is anyone but you or us authorized to pick them up. Not even if they claim to be the children’s father or grandmother.”

I nodded, feeling the warnings of a major headache. Perhaps that glass of wine had done me more harm than good, given my state.

“Now, try to get some rest for tonight.” Wayne said. At my pointed look, he added, “It won’t be easy, but try. Remember, there is security in the building. Do you want us to stay?”

Yes, part of me said. f**k yes.

In the end, though, I shook my head.

“Don’t worry.” I forced myself to smile, even though I knew there was no need to pretend, with

them.

Ravi narrowed his eyes. “If anything happens…”

“I’ll call you. I know. Thanks a lot for tonight, guys.”

“You’re welcome.” Wayne sighed, hugging me. “You just stay calm and remember you’re not alone, nor will you ever be. Alright?”

I nodded.

Once Ravi and Wayne were out, I locked the front door, then I checked every single window and, for good measure, locked those as well. Even though it was pretty stupid, since we were on the second–to–last floor. Reiner might have been an Alpha, but he definitely couldn’t climb glass.