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 Reiners 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 couldnt 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 Reiners 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 Reiners sight . Sensing the danger , James wrapped his arms and legs tighter to me and hid his face in my neck . I hadnt 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 hadnt 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 , maam ? 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 . Reiners 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 Waynes voice ringing through the hall . Thank the Goddess , he was here . I didnt bother to wonder how the hell hed gotten here so fast or why hed come instead of Ravi ( wasnt Vi giving him a makeover ? ) . Bring Jim away . I mind linked him . No , you do that . 1/6 +8 Point 12 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 ! Im a lawyer . 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 wasnt 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 … Reiners 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 , Ill 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 couldnt 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. Youre the best . I couldnt see his face , but I knew he had chuckled . 216 8 Point : 12 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 , Jims smile broke through in all its beauty , and I pulled him up . I doubted Id 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 Id bought the house , Id 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 . 7 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 didnt 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 Reiners best friends , and he , too , had left the pack to pursue his dream career . The last Id heard of him , four years ago now , he was working 3/6 +8 Points 12 in California . Clearly , hed 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 didnt mention any names nor Violet and to keep to himself, or we would pursue legal action . He didnt 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 wasnt much else I could do at the time except threaten him , so thats what I did . I swallowed , closing my eyes for a moment . I highly doubt threats will stop him . He knows Jims his . Well , anyone who sees them together would understand that . He wont give in . Well base our line of defense on how he behaves . Ravi said . In the meantime , Ill do some research to find out what situation both he and the pack are in . Itll 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 dont 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 couldnt stop thinking that … that he and Sheila would just go to the Council and say the babies are his to … take them . Its not that simple , Becks . Ravi muttered . Ive seen it happen ! I exclaimed quietly . Countless Council rulings placing children in the care of their Alpha fathers if things didnt 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 Reiners not like that , but his mother … Yeah , well , those moms didnt have me . He commented , winking . Moreover , your and Reiners story is different . Im willing to put both hands on the fire that the moment he finds out what your mother did , hell be on your side up until his last breath . I dont 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 ?! 4/6 +8 Point 12 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 youre not around , the babies are always with someone you trust . Wayne added . Dont 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 childrens 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 wont 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 . Dont 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 … Ill call you . Thanks a lot for tonight , guys . Youre welcome . Wayne sighed , hugging me . You just stay calm and remember youre 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 couldnt climb glass . 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