Chapter 1 Unexpected Arrival
Almost 4 Months Later
Ariana and Maxim are due after the new year and it is true; no two pregnancies are ever the same. My appetite has been hit or miss with these two. But my stamina with running has not waned or my other exercises. Nolan has watched me like a hawk the last few days, thinking I will drop our next brood any second.
The only place he ever let me out of his sight is the outreach center, and shockingly Nolan let me take the twins without a chaperone while inside. He has made Charles shadow me at every excursion, this time Charles did not linger long. I’m pretty sure he is still camped outside.
“Mommy, can I ask you a question?” Aiden is so polite while he is being inquisitive. “Yes, my darling.”
“Aren’t you like a god?” I knit my brow, wondering where this line of questioning is stemming from. I make it a point to not invade their heads and respect their privacy, “That’s what Jaddi, Uncle Reggie and everyone else thinks, so yeah, I guess I am.”
“Since you are a god, then why does daddy act like you aren’t?”
“Daddy will always worry about Mommy because I’m his mate and especially because of the babies I carry. Yes, I am the safety person in this world and in the other worlds. Your Daddy loves Mommy so much that no matter if I am a god, he will always do everything to keep me, you, and your sister safe.”
Larisa and Aiden are helpful and sweet the entire time we are in the outreach center. My senses heighten when I feel a familiar presence. I scan the building and the parameter. Donna? I thought she would have never come back here after everything that happened five years ago.
Pushing my senses out, I see her observing the outreach center with an odd curiosity. “Larisa, Mommy will be right back. You and Aiden stay with Lana, okay?” Larisa looks up to me, “Yes, Mommy. We won’t leave from Lana’s sight.” I link Lana, telling her exactly where I will be going. She looks back and calls the twins to come closer to help put fruit in the food boxes.
I exit the side door, walking to the front of our parking lot to find Donna. Our eyes lock initially, then her eyes travel down to my baby bump. There is an indecipherable mix of emotion on her face. Longing, sadness, and a twinge of jealousy. Before I can call out to her, Donna runs off in the opposite direction.
I link Nikki, “Hey, Nikki, I don’t mean to interrupt you. But I just saw Donna. Were you aware she is back? She was in front of the outreach center, a few seconds ago.”
“We weren’t expecting her until tomorrow, she is going to be a part of the pack hospital team. Donna never left the pack officially. I was shocked when she contacted me, we thought we would never see her again after…well you know.”
I did know, I killed Ashton and I’m sure she felt it when I did. He never rejected her or vice versa. I don’t know how I feel about Donna being back on the territory. I just don’t want to have any awkward interactions. Everything so far has been peaceful, let’s hope it stays that way.
I return back inside the outreach center. The twins look up and smile when they see me. “You two ready to help me hand out the food baskets?” Aiden and Larisa both stand up and walk with me to the back.
Back At The Palace
Nolan senses my unease upon our return home. The children run off with their griffons and Nolan follows me to the kitchen. “Love, what’s wrong?” I huff as I rub my hand over my forehead, “I saw Donna outside of the outreach center today. Nikki said she is coming back to the pack to be a part of the clinical team.”
“Okay, but I know that’s not just it with you.” My mate is right, there is more. “I sensed her before actually seeing her and when our eyes met, she had a swirl of emotions and once she saw my bump, it set her off and she ran away from my line of sight. I feel really uncomfortable with her being back. I don’t think I want the twins over there as much. I don’t even like little Reggie being there either.”
I know I’m not overreacting, we have our mates, our children. These are things she does not have, and in her eyes, it is because of me. And in truth, I physically killed Ashton. I don’t know why I did not severe their bond before, it is a mistake on my part. Donna felt his death; I am sure of it and that is pain you never forget regardless how shitty of a mate you have.
Nolan places a hand of my back, “We will deal with it. Have Nikki and Bryant come over tonight so we can have a sit down. Tell them how you feel, what you’ve sensed, even down to the issues you foresee.”
Later That Evening
Nikki and Bryant meet us in the palace library, her new bump growing as she tries to hide it. This one is a girl, and I give her that knowing look. “I’m sorry to call you guys over on such short notice, but this cannot wait.”
Bryant and Nikki sit on the couch across from us, “Laina, what did you see?” Bryant knows I would never call anyone over just because, and I don’t know if he has sensed Donna, especially with him focusing on the tech company from the extra free time we have had.
“Donna was outside of the outreach center today, and it wasn’t just her being there. It was the feeling I got from her once she spotted me and my belly. She ran like her ass was on fire. Envy was the strongest feeling I got from her. I don’t want this to seem like a witch hunt, but I really want you to be cautious with her having access to the pack house. Unlike before I do not have a clear picture of what she may do, it’s like she is undecided.”
Bryant and Nikki look at each other, talking amongst themselves via the link. “We will have her shadowed throughout her service here at the pack hospital. I know the children are the priority,” Nikki rubs her tiny baby bump thinking of all the possible outcomes with a wildcard we now must deal with.
