My fingers tighten around the phone 132

Aria’s POV
I stood before my bedroom’s full-length mirror, examining my silhouette while Lucas watched with childlike wonder. My
fitted workout clothes revealed the gentle curve that had emerged these past weeks—my once-flat abdomen now subtly
rounded, making the twins’ presence increasingly obvious.
“Are you really, really sure they’re in there?” Lucas asked, his emerald eyes sparkling with curiosity as he cocked his head
sideways.
A soft laugh escaped me as my fingers traced the small bump. “Absolutely certain, sweetie. Remember those shadowy
pictures from the doctor? That was them.” I smiled before reminding him, “And don’t forget—we’re getting two little
ones, not just one.”
“Twins! I know that!” Lucas practically bounced with excitement, his enthusiasm lighting up the room and warming my
heart despite my worries.
I tugged my shirt down, watching Lucas’s animated face with affection. This pregnancy was so different from when I
carried him—my body changing much faster this time. The doctor had mentioned this was normal with twins, particularly
when an alpha werewolf was the father. Thoughts of Ethan sent an all-too-familiar pang through my heart.
“Looking forward to summer break? Just a few more days of school left,” I said, deliberately shifting my mental focus.
“Can’t wait! I can still attend werewolf camp, right?” Lucas’s eyes shone with hopeful anticipation.
I nibbled on my lower lip, my mind racing through calculations and adjustments. The twins had turned our carefully
planned life upside down—I’d already spoken with the training center about cutting back my hours, found a flexible
typing position I could do between doctor appointments, and made sure my convenience store manager knew I’d still work nights when possible. Without Zoe’s promise to watch Lucas during schedule conflicts, I don’t know how we’d
manage.
“Of course you can go,” I answered, watching relief wash over his face. “In fact, the Little Engineers program starts Monday.”
“Sweet!” Lucas punched the air victoriously, his whole body wiggling in an impromptu celebration dance that made his
eyes crinkle with pure joy.
As we headed to the kitchen, I mentally inventoried dinner possibilities. “What should we eat tonight? I thawed some
meat, but perhaps we should save it?”
While rummaging through the refrigerator, I noticed Lucas suddenly alert, his nose twitching slightly. His werewolf senses were developing nicely—suggesting he might transform earlier than most, possibly within a year or two.
A knock interrupted my thoughts. Lucas darted toward the door while I followed cautiously, peering through the
peephole to find Leo wearing his signature confident smile. We hadn’t spoken since our awkward conversation days ago.
I swung the door open to find Leo standing there like he’d just stepped off a fashion runway—crisp button-down
perfectly tucked into designer jeans, not a hair out of place. His million-dollar smile flashed as he held up several pizza
boxes that released steam in the evening air.
“Surprise dinner delivery!” he announced with theatrical flair. “Figured you could use a night off from cooking.”
“Pizza!” Lucas squealed with such excitement you’d think Leo had brought him the moon. He bounced on his heels, fists
pumping skyward.
“You’re officially my favorite person today,” I admitted with a grateful smile, stepping back to invite him in.
Leo remained rooted in the doorway, his confident demeanor faltering as his eyes darted nervously to the side.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow. “The invitation to enter includes crossing the threshold, you know.”
“Well,” he hedged, his megawatt smile dimming by several degrees, “I sort of… brought reinforcements. Hope that’s
cool?”
My stomach tightened as suspicion crept in. “Define ‘reinforcements,’ Leo.”
David’s head suddenly appeared over Leo’s shoulder, offering a sheepish wave and an apologetic grimace. “He means
me. And Zoe with her sister Lily, who are parking right now.”
I glanced down at my well-worn yoga pants and oversized t-shirt, fingers automatically reaching for my hastily twisted
hair knot that was barely holding together. Great. Unexpected guests when I looked like I’d been dragged backward
through a hedge.
“You could have called first,” I sighed, too tired to muster real anger. “But since you brought food as a peace offering, I
suppose you can all come in.” Next Page
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Leo strutted toward the kitchen with the pizza boxes while David hovered by the door, practically vibrating with nervous
energy. His eyes kept darting between me and the still-open doorway like he was watching a tennis match.
I lunged for the door handle, ready to slam it shut, but Leo materialized out of nowhere, his palm flat against the wood,
blocking my attempt. His cologne—something woodsy and expensive—filled my nostrils as he leaned down, his breath warm against my ear.
“One more dinner guest,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
My stomach dropped like an elevator with cut cables. “Tell me you didn’t,” I breathed, eyes fixed on the darkening
doorway.
Leo’s hand squeezed my shoulder gently. “He deserves a chance to explain. You both do. It’s been weeks of this…
whatever this is.” Before I could protest, he straightened and called out with theatrical brightness, “Ethan! We’re all
inside!”
The name hung in the air for a heartbeat before Lucas’s excited shriek shattered the moment.
“ETHAN!” My son shot past me like a missile, launching himself through the doorway. I caught a glimpse of strong arms
catching him mid-flight, lifting him effortlessly.
“Whoa there, speedster!” Ethan’s deep laugh rolled through the room like distant thunder. “Is it possible you’ve grown
two inches since I saw you last?”
The sound of his voice sent an electric current straight through my core. Panic seized me—what if he looked at me and
somehow knew? What if those alpha senses could detect his own children growing inside me?
I couldn’t face him—not now, not like this, with unwashed hair and wearing clothes that might reveal my changing figure. Without a word, I spun on my heel and fled to the bathroom, closing the door with trembling hands. I gripped the edge
of the sink, studying my wild-eyed reflection. My cheeks were flushed, eyes too bright, hair falling from its messy knot. I
looked exactly like what I was—a hormonal, overwhelmed, pregnant woman on the edge.
A soft knock made me jump.
“Aria?” David’s concerned voice came through the door. I opened it to find him standing there, hands raised in a gesture
of peace. “Just checking on you. This ambush was all Leo’s idea.”
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I forced my face into what I hoped resembled a normal smile. “It’s fine. Really. Lucas has been asking about him nonstop.”
David tilted his head, seeing straight through my facade. “And you haven’t been thinking about him at all, right?”
“David…” I started, a warning in my tone.
“When are you planning to tell him?” David whispered urgently, glancing over his shoulder to ensure we weren’t
overheard. “I’ve kept your secret for weeks, but this isn’t fair to anyone—especially not to Ethan.”
I wrapped my arms protectively around my middle, a gesture that had become instinctive. “I know, I know. But not
tonight. We need to talk first—really talk. There’s so much unsaid between us.”
“The clock is ticking, Aria,” David said gently. “Literally. Those babies won’t stay hidden much longer.”
“Soon,” I promised, the word hollow even to my own ears. “I’ll tell him soon.”
“Tell who what?” Leo’s voice made us both freeze. He leaned against the doorframe, eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Mind your business,” David grumbled, making a show of adjusting his watch.
I followed Leo back to the living room. Zoe had arrived with a striking woman who shared her high cheekbones and
confident posture—her sister Lily, I assumed. They stood chatting with David, who seemed unusually animated around
the newcomer.
My eyes inevitably found Ethan and Lucas at the dining table, huddled together over Lucas’s latest model. Lucas was
chattering excitedly, pointing out the details he’d painstakingly painted, while Ethan listened with genuine interest, asking
questions that made my son beam with pride.
Leo’s arm draped over my shoulders, his voice uncharacteristically soft. “It’s not too late, you know. For any of it.”
“Alright, everyone!” Leo clapped his hands, the sound startling me back to reality. “Food’s getting cold!”