My fingers tighten around the phone 157

Aria’s POV
Six months later
“Little buddy! I’m heading to camp now. Coming with me?” Ethan’s voice carried through our apartment from the living
room, that deep timbre that still sent pleasant shivers down my spine even after all these months together.
“Coming, Dad!” Lucas’s eager reply rang out, his little-boy excitement making me smile even through my drowsy haze. It
still warmed my heart every time he called Ethan “Dad” so naturally now, as if they’d never been separated.
“Shhh!” Ethan’s voice dropped dramatically, that stage whisper parents use when they’re trying to be quiet but still need
to be heard. “Your mom’s still sleeping. We don’t want to wake the mama bear and her cubs.”
I buried my face deeper into my pillow to muffle my laughter, completely awake despite their adorable attempt at
consideration. Ethan’s side of the bed was still faintly warm where he’d been curled protectively around me all night, his
arm draped over my growing belly. His pillow smelled of that woodsy cologne I’d come to associate with safety and
home—pine with hints of sandalwood that clung to everything he touched. I’d caught myself more than once burying
my face in his shirts when he was away, though I’d never admit it to his already inflated ego.
Rolling onto my back, I stretched lazily under our plush comforter, feeling the familiar flutter and push as the twins
responded to my movement. A little foot—or maybe an elbow—pressed firmly against my ribs, making me wince and
smile simultaneously. At eight months along, these girls were running out of space in their shared accommodations, a
fact they protested with increasingly vigorous gymnastics routines. Sometimes at night, Ethan would place his large palm
against my stretched skin and whisper to them, his eyes widening with wonder when they’d kick back in response, like
they already recognized their father’s voice.
The past six months had settled into a comfortable routine of doctor’s appointments and gradual nesting. The medical
staff had grown accustomed to the peculiarity of my pregnancy—ultrasounds that showed nothing but static while
heartbeat monitors picked up two distinct, strong rhythms.
I can feel Cassandra’s presence most strongly during these check-ups, a warm, protective sensation radiating from deep
within. She was keeping her promise, shielding our daughters.
Emma had vanished without a trace, the search hitting dead ends at every turn. Ethan had put David on the case
immediately, but even with an entire team of trackers, they’d found nothing beyond her trashed apartment. The place
was a disaster zone when they arrived—furniture knocked over, splashes of blood on the expensive hardwood, and the
smell of a strange wolf hanging in the air. Someone had taken her—maybe an ex-boyfriend or an ally from another pack. Honestly? Good riddance. I tried to feel some curiosity about her fate, but all I felt was relief. The farther she stayed from
my family, the happier I’d be.
The first thing Ethan did after the search stalled was sell that entire apartment building. “I can’t even drive past it without
feeling sick,” he’d told me, his jaw tight with lingering anger. “Knowing she lived there, plotted against you there—it
makes my skin crawl.”
Instead, he’d found us a new place—cozy but spacious enough for our growing family. I fell in love with it immediately.
The nursery, though… that was something else entirely. Ethan had gone completely wild with baby shopping, filling the
room until you could barely walk through it. Two of absolutely everything crowded the space: matching white cribs with
delicate pink bedding, a pair of wooden rocking chairs, changing tables loaded with supplies, and a mountain of stuffed
animals that threatened to avalanche every time I opened the closet.
“What?” he’d asked when I’d raised my eyebrows at the third delivery of baby clothes. “They need options.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his enthusiasm. It was both hilarious and heart-melting to watch him carefully arrange matching pairs of tiny pink sneakers that wouldn’t fit for at least a year.
The bedroom door creaked open, followed by the sound of two sets of footsteps—one heavy and assured, the other light
and quick. I kept my eyes closed, pretending to be asleep while listening to them approach the bed. Lucas’s warm
presence came closer, and I felt the gentle press of his soft lips against my cheek in a sweet kiss. The mattress dipped as
Ethan leaned over me next, his lips traveling from my forehead to my nose and finally claiming my mouth in a lingering
kiss that made keeping up my charade impossible. I broke into laughter, playfully shoving at his chest.
Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you’re on 𝗻𝚘𝑣𝘦𝕃5s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a
click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading!
“Okay, okay, enough with the kisses,” I protested through my smile, opening my eyes to find him looking entirely too
pleased with himself.
I pushed myself into a sitting position, taking in Lucas’s appearance. He’d grown taller in these past months, his frame
beginning to lose some of its childish softness. His werewolf traits were manifesting earlier than most children’s—his
senses becoming increasingly acute, his reflexes sharper. I strongly suspected both he and Ethan had known I was faking
1/2
sleep from the moment they entered the room.
“How are you feeling today?” Ethan asked, his hand coming to rest protectively over my rounded belly. “Are these little
troublemakers behaving themselves?”
I shook my head with a smile. “I slept wonderfully, which you already know since you were right beside me all night.”
Ethan’s lips curved into that confident grin that still made my heart skip. His palm made gentle circles over my stomach.
“Just wondering when these little ladies are planning to make their debut. Their mom and dad are getting pretty
impatient to meet them.”
The wedding had turned into our favorite inside joke. Ethan had practically been ready to drag me to the altar while I was
still hooked up to IV fluids, his eagerness to make me “officially” his both amusing and touching. Once I’d recovered
enough, the baby bump had started to show, and I’d put my foot down.
“I’m not waddling down the aisle looking like I swallowed a beach ball,” I’d told him firmly. “Besides, wouldn’t it be more
special if our daughters could be there too, even if they’re just tiny bundles in frilly dresses?”
Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you’re on 𝗻𝚘𝑣𝘦𝕃5s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a
click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading!
He’d reluctantly agreed, though he still “casually” left bridal magazines around the apartment and sometimes whispered
“future Luna” against my neck just to make me blush. His patience was wearing thin, but so was my pregnancy.
“So what thrilling activities are on today’s agenda?” Ethan asked, his fingers gently tucking a wayward strand of hair
behind my ear. “Planning to be a couch potato? Binge-watch some reality TV?”
I playfully swatted his hand away. “Of course not. I’m heading to the training camp to check on my students’ progress.”
Ethan’s brow furrowed immediately, that protective Alpha instinct surfacing. “Going to the camp made sense a few
months ago, but you’re nearly eight months pregnant now. You’re practically ready to deliver. Is visiting the training
grounds really necessary? If something happened—”
“Hey,” I interrupted, snapping my fingers in front of his face to break his spiral of concern. “Mr. Alpha, you’re being
overprotective again. Pregnant or not, I could still take down half your warriors without breaking a sweat. Want me to
demonstrate?” I raised an eyebrow challengingly.
My teasing had the desired effect, melting his worry into amusement. “Alright, warrior princess. Do you want me to drive
you there? I can drop Lucas at school and circle back.”
“No need,” I waved dismissively. “Zoe’s coming by to pick me up. We have some girl talk scheduled—strictly no boys