Page 126 of In Control

“After three babies?” I say, rolling my eyes.

“You’re even more sexy now than when we first met you.”

I twist in his arms. “You’re not bad yourself, you know, for such an old man.”

“An old man who can still swing you over his lap and give you a good old fashioned spanking.”

I sigh. “Oh god, don’t tempt me, Alpha. We can’t be late.”

“No we can’t,” Esra jogs down the stairs, “put her down, Liam.”

Now it’s Liam’s time to sigh. “It’s damn near impossible.”

“Try,” I whisper, “for our omega’s sake.”

He kisses my neck with a growl and then I follow my two alphas out of the house and into the waiting car.

The drive isn’t a long one but the twins are overly excited, swinging their legs and squealing. It’s the first time we’ve taken them to the theatre, the first time they’ve seen a real ballet. They’re still a little young probably, and I expect both of them to fall asleep before the curtain falls, but they wanted to be here. We all did.

The foyer of the theatre is jam-packed with smartly dressed people and as Liam clears a path through, my eyes can’t help but drift to that door on the far side. Esra’s do too and he glances at me, sparks flying through our bonds.

Who would have thought all those years ago that passing through that doorway, letting the alpha with the bottomless eyes pull me into that room, would lead to all this. A family of my own. Four men who love me, plus three beautiful children. Maybe more to come if Ro has his way.

And a career. A career I love. Something I can be passionate about.

Several people stop us as Liam leads our family up the staircase towards our box. Five years ago they’d have stopped me to solicit me, to ask me out, to invite me into their beds. These days the invitations are different. There’s an older woman who wants me to come and talk about my work at her institute, a younger man who wants me to write an article for his magazine and a young woman who just wants to shake my hand. I accept business cards and promise to get in touch. Every bit of publicity helps to spread the word, to help victims like me, like Gabe, like Esra.

As expected, the mayor’s court case was high profile, attracting media attention from all around the world. If I hadn’t had my pack and my best friend there to support me, I might have crumbled under the scrutiny. Instead, I testified with my head held high, and turned my new found infamy into a way to help others.

Justin’s in prison now. Will be for a very long time.

A testament that even the powerful will be held accountable for their crimes.

Esra hooks his arm around my waist as Liam scoops up Millie and Roman lifts Stella.

“I’m proud of you, Sophia,” the professor whispers into my ear.

“You are?”

“Yes, very. You’re amazing, do you know that?”

I smile at him, his love for me radiating through our bond and my own reflected straight back at him.

Yes, I do know it. And I’m damn proud of myself. Damn proud of this pack and our family too.

His voice grows darker. “Maybe we can sneak off later and find that room again.”

“And miss the performance? No way.” He frowns at me and I lean in closer to him. “But you might be interested to know that I am not wearing any underwear beneath this dress.”

His gaze sweeps over the slinky red outfit I’m wearing. “Fuck,” he mutters, “you’ve always enjoyed torturing me with your silly outfits.”

“I have.” I squeeze his hand, breathing in his treacle scent.

In the box, the girls argue about where to sit, but then the lights dim and the orchestra hums and from the moment the curtain lifts, they are mesmerised.

We all are.

It’s beautiful, bloody beautiful, and original and unique. By the final act I have tears tumbling down my cheeks that won’t stop flowing.

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