In this chapter, the three men—Abel, Cade, and Rowan—are left alone to care for their four young children while their wives enjoy a “moms-only vacation day” at Elias’s new lakehouse. The wives leave confidently, teasing the men about needing luck, implying the chaos that awaits. As soon as the women depart, the men brace themselves for the challenge, but their brief optimism is quickly shattered by the loud cries of Snow, who clearly suffers from separation anxiety without her mother, Luna.
Calla, one of the children, surprisingly points out the fears and weaknesses of the men, revealing a sharp awareness beyond her years. Meanwhile, the youngest, Jared, begins to take his first steps and soon teams up with Jordan, Rowan and Tessa’s quiet second-born, to create mischief. Their alliance signals the start of a chaotic day as the children’s werewolf strength allows them to wreak havoc far beyond what the fathers expected.
The kids build a fort by tearing down curtains and using furniture and clothing, causing frustration and panic among the dads. The children raid the pantry, scattering food everywhere, and even Jordan, usually calm and reserved, pours flour on the couch, pushing Rowan to the brink. Despite their efforts to maintain order, the men realize they are overwhelmed and consider calling their wives, but ultimately decide to let the kids tire themselves out.
After hours of chaos, the children finally collapse in exhaustion, leaving the living room a mess and the fathers utterly drained. The chapter ends with the men reflecting on the wild day and wondering how their wives are faring on their getaway, highlighting the emotional toll and the deep bond between the families.
Chapter 407: Without the Wives
ABEL
+5 Free Coins
As soon as the three of them stepped outside wearing their matching sun hats, I could feel a sudden chill sweep through the men left behind. It was the unmistakable grin of women who were about to enjoy themselves without a care in the world.
“We’ll be back tonight!” Luna called out sweetly, blowing me a playful kiss.
Arden gave a cheerful wave, her usual upbeat spirit shining through. “Good luck!” she called.
Tessa smirked knowingly. “You’re going to need it.”
In perfect sync, the three slid on their sunglasses, strutted confidently toward the car, and drove off to their “moms-only vacation day,” as if leaving us alone with four little bundles of chaos was no big deal. It all began when Elias invited them out east to his new lakehouse.
I’m pretty sure it was just his way of getting back at us for teasing him about being single for so long—he wanted us to hold down the fort without the wives.
No sooner had the car disappeared down the driveway than Cade let out a relieved breath. “Alright. This isn’t so bad. We’ve handled worse.”
Rowan nodded, trying to stay positive. “Yeah, it’s just the kids. We can manage.”
Suddenly, Snow’s loud wails shattered the brief calm.
“Oh no,” I muttered, rushing over. “She already misses her mom.”
Snow’s cries grew even louder, piercing through the quiet.
Cade flinched, his voice tense. “Why is she screaming like that? She’s never this loud.”
“Because Luna’s not here,” I said seriously, bouncing Snow helplessly in my arms. “She’s got serious separation anxiety.”
Rowan chimed in quietly, “Same here with Tessa… though I don’t scream about it.”
Before we could say anything else, a small voice cut through the noise.
“You’re scared.”
We all turned toward Calla, standing beside Jared, who had just begun taking his first wobbly steps and clearly thought walking was the best thing ever.
“You’re all afraid,” she added, eyes sharp.
Rowan pursed his lips defensively. “I’m not afraid—”
“Yes, you are. When she says your full name, you tremble, Dad.”
Cade burst out laughing while Rowan shot him a glare.
“And you,” Calla said, narrowing her eyes at me, “you’re scared of Auntie Luna because she’s your biggest weakness.”
I pressed my lips together. “Well… that’s not entirely wrong.”
Then she pointed at Cade.
“And you’re scared of losing your family.”
Cade was silent, unable to argue. Calla used to be sweet and gentle with us, but lately, her brutal honesty had reached new heights.
Jared then turned his intense gaze on me, staring so intently I felt sweat bead on my forehead.
“Why does he look so piercing at such a young age?” I whispered to Cade.
“He’s got Arden’s eyes,” Cade whispered back. “Don’t stare too long. Even I get scared.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “How can three Alphas be outmatched by a bunch of kids?”
Meanwhile, in the corner, Tessa and Rowan’s second-born, Jordan—a quiet boy who rarely spoke, cried, or caused trouble—sat calmly playing with a wooden animal.
“Thank the Moon,” Rowan whispered dramatically. “At least he’s easy.”
We all nodded in agreement, grateful for the brief moment of peace.
But the moment Jared approached him, the calm shattered.
“Play?” Jared asked eagerly.
Jordan turned his head silently, then stood up without a word.
Cade’s voice dropped to a horrified whisper. “Oh no.”
I muttered, “Good grief, he accepted.”
Rowan covered his mouth with his hand. “No, no, no. Jordan was normal. He was NORMAL.”
Then, in a scene that felt both terrifying and oddly adorable, the usually silent child crawled over to Jared and smiled.
Jared grinned back, thrilled to finally have a partner in crime.
Cade looked around in disbelief. “I think I’m going to pass out.”
Then, in a moment none of us would ever forget, Rowan’s usually calm second-born looked me straight in the eye and poured an entire bag of flour onto the couch.
“WHY?!” Rowan cried, forehead slamming against the wall.
After two hours of trying and failing to control the madness, Cade finally spoke the words we were all thinking.
“Should we call them?”
We all froze.
Rowan shook his head slowly. “No. We can’t.”
I groaned. “But I want to.”
“We’re Alphas,” Rowan reminded weakly.
“Let’s just let them relax,” I sighed. “They’ll tire themselves out eventually.”
We nodded in reluctant agreement. But that peace was too good to last, and two more hours passed before the kids finally crashed in a heap of exhaustion on the couch.
We stood there, looking at the battlefield that used to be Rowan’s living room.
The silence was almost eerie.
“I wonder how the ladies are doing,” I said quietly, feeling utterly drained.
The day without the wives laid bare the vulnerabilities beneath our Alpha facades, reminding us that strength isn’t just about control but also about patience and acceptance. As the kids’ wild energy transformed our home into a chaotic battlefield, their innocent mischief revealed the deep bonds we share and the challenges we face when left to navigate parenthood alone. Despite the exhaustion and the mess, there was a quiet beauty in witnessing their unfiltered joy and the unspoken understanding that, even in chaos, family holds us together.
In the aftermath of the storm, as we stood amidst the ruins of our makeshift fortress, a profound sense of humility settled over us. The absence of the wives was palpable, their presence missed not only by the children but by us as well, underscoring the delicate balance they maintain in our lives. Though the day tested our limits, it also strengthened our resolve, reminding us that love and support are the true anchors in the whirlwind of parenting and life.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the aftermath of this chaotic day, as the three dads grapple with the consequences of their “moms-only vacation day.” The fragile calm that settled after the children’s exhaustion may soon be shattered by unexpected challenges, testing their patience and resolve in ways they hadn’t anticipated. Emotions are bound to run high as they reflect on their own fears and vulnerabilities, especially under the sharp eyes of the kids who see right through them.
Tensions between the men might surface, revealing cracks in their usual camaraderie as they confront the reality of parenting without their partners. Meanwhile, the children’s growing bonds and mischievous antics could lead to new dynamics that challenge the dads’ control and understanding. There’s a sense that this day will leave a lasting impression on everyone, setting the stage for emotional growth, surprising alliances, and perhaps a few heartwarming moments amidst the chaos. Readers will be left wondering how the wives’ absence will continue to affect the family and what lessons the men will take from this unforgettable experience.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine