#Chapter 256 – The Laser

I frown at Victor as he opens his bedside drawer, half my attention on Alvin reaching out to pull Archie off of Ian and give the dog a snuggle. “Why do you want a mint?” I ask, turning back to my kids. “You just brushed your teeth.” “Sometimes, you just want a mint,” Victor murmurs, and I turn back to him, confused. And then I see the little smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth. Frowning a little – not upset, just curious – I watch him, giving him my full attention now. And my mouth falls open when he draws, from the very back of the drawer, a little black velvet box. I gasp aloud, going very still. The boys react immediately to my noise and my stillness, the wolves in them instantly alert to the change. Almost at once, my twins turn to me and then to Victor, watching carefully. “Evelyn,” Victor says, palming the box and coming to sit next to me on the bed. I go a little pale, my hands shooting up to my mouth to cover it. I watch him with wide eyes – completely surprised but