The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Jane

After our meeting with Aimon, I came back to the room with the pups and immediately began trying to

figure out a way to escape. I think they were a little disappointed and if l’m honest, I am too. I wish I

were able to simply hold them tight and give them all the love and nurturing they’ve been missing these

last few weeks. But that will have to wait until we’re safe. Then I can lavish my affection on them, and

pry the more difficult details about their ordeal from their l!ps. I’m afraid of what they might tell me, but I

know we have to have that talk in order to heal.

After scouring the room from top to bottom, I’m beginning to feel very nervous. I can’t find anything that

might help us break free. There are sheets I could tie into ropes once night falls, but we’re too high up

and it feels terribly risky with such young pups. The best weapon l came across were some particularly

spikey stilettos in the wardrobe – there aren’t even razors in the bathroom.

I even searched the walls, bookcases and floorboards in case there might be some sort of secret

passageways leading out of the room, despite how much of a long shot that idea was. I’m at a loss,

and it’s becoming harder and harder to keep my fear at bay. I was sick as soon as we got back to the

room, and l’m not sure if it was because of Aimon’s plans for us… or the baby I might be carrying.

I know Ethan is out there somewhere and probably knows that I’ve been taken by now, but the idea of

him coming here after us frightens me more than trying to escape on our own. If he does he’ll be

playing right into Aimon’s hands, but what other choice does he have? I have to find a way to free us

before… my thoughts come to a screeching halt when the door handle jiggles, and the next thing I

know, Ethan’s scent is wafting towards me through the wood. He’s here!

Time seems to slow down as I watch the scene unfold. It takes Ethan less than a minute to pick the

locks, but it seems like everything is moving in slow-motion. The door swings inward, and Ethan

appears dressed in a guard’s uniform. He looks so powerful framed in the doorway, and then the pups

are whirling around, following my stunned gaze. Thankfully Ethan puts a finger to his lips before they

can cry out, but l’ll never forget the joy on their young faces. A moment ago they were drawn and pale,

but now they light up like the sun itself. “Daddy!” Ryder, Riley, Parker and Paisley whisper-shout, taking

off across the room as Ethan and Linda slip inside.

Ethan pulls all four of the children into his strong arms, hugging them so tightly I can see they’re

struggling to breathe. Still, no one complains. They’re all crying, including Ethan, and though l know the

situation is urgent, I can’t bear to steal this moment from them.

“I’m so happy to see you, I’m so sorry it took so long!” He’s murmuring, smothering them in k!sses. “Are

you alright? let me look at you.” Ethan seems to be having the same problem I did -wanting to make

sure they’re all unharmed, but unwilling to release them from his arms. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry

He says over and over again. “We’ve been trying so hard to find you.’ I realize now how much Ethan

was shielding me from his feelings, swallowing his own fear and guilt to take care of me.

I feel a rush of love so powerful that the room begins to spin, and as if he can sense my thoughts,

Ethan looks up at me. Eyes shining, he offers me a brilliant smile.”What are you doing all the way over

there?”

“Mommy has lots a owies” Paisley tells him, “We haves to be gentle with her.”

Ethan’s brow furrows, and he immediately lifts the pups into his arms, expertly juggling them as he

crosses over to me. He sets them on the bed, close enough for either of us to reach at the first

opportunity, but turns his attention to me. “How bad is it?” He murmurs, taking my face in his hands.

I grasp his wrists, offering up a watery smile. “I”‘m okay.” l insist, “But Aimon…”

“1 know.” Ethan sighs, gingerly wrapping his arms around me and kissing my hair, “I’ve already taken

care of Anita, she let slip what he’s planning.”

“We have to get out of here.” I whisper, reaching for the pups so they can join our hug. Four warm little

bodies press into our sides, and for one blissful moment, our family is whole again. My heart is soaring.

I wasn’t sure we would ever get to be together this way again, and if things weren’t so precarious I

would probably be sobbing. My body is aching but I don’t care, l just want to stay wrapped up around

Ethan and my babies forever.

“How are we going to get them out without being seen?” Linda frets, scanning the room. “If we had

some sort of laundry cart or something maybe we could hide them underneath some blankets.”

“That’s a good idea.” Ethan praises, not releasing us. “If we go down to the service corridors we can

switch out the guard uniforms for some servants clothes and pretend to be cleaning – even a garbage

bin or something would work, as long as we can conceal Jane and the pups.

“Do you think we can try to get Eric at the same time?” Linda questions eagerly.

Ethan frowns. “I think we might have to come back for him. We don’t even know where the dungeons

are, or where he is within them.”