Chapter 4

It was Sarah.

She picked it up, expecting to hear Sarah's voice on the other end.

"Hey, Sarah. What's up?" Maggie asked, trying to sound calm.

"I just wanted to remind you that my boutique launch is today," Sarah said, her voice chipper and upbeat.

Maggie's heart sank. She had completely forgotten about the launch. 

Sarah had been telling Maggie about it all week but Maggie had totally forgotten about it. Maggie had not been herself since Sarah told her about Raphael at the cafeteria. It had slipped her mind.

"Oh my god, Sarah. I completely forgot," Maggie said, feeling guilty.

"That's why I'm calling, silly. I wanted to remind you. And I'm also having a little get together party tonight to celebrate. You should come," Sarah said, her voice still cheery.

Maggie hesitated. She wasn't sure if she was up for a party tonight, with everything going on.

"I don't know, Sarah. I've got a lot on my plate right now," Maggie said, trying to come up with an excuse.

"Nonsense. You need to take a break and celebrate your hard work. And besides, I know you'll have a good time. Come on, Maggie, you know you want to," Sarah said, cajoling.

Maggie sighed. Sarah was right. She did need a break.

"Okay, fine. I'll come," Maggie said, giving in.

"Yes! I knew you would. I'll see you tonight, then," Sarah said, with a hint of excitement in her voice.

Maggie hung up the phone, feeling a little lighter. Maybe a party was exactly what she needed right now. A chance to forget about Raphael, even if just for a little while.

Maggie took a deep breath as she walked into Sarah's boutique launch party, with Luke and Leah on each side of her arms. She was nervous, but excited at the same time.

As soon as she stepped inside, the buzz of the party hit her. The boutique was packed with people, all sipping champagne and admiring Sarah's designs.

Maggie made her way through the crowd, Luke and Leah's tiny hands in hers.

"Maggie! You made it!" Sarah said, walking over to where Maggie was standing.

Maggie smiled, feeling relieved to see a friendly face in the crowd.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Maggie said, hugging Sarah tightly.

Sarah pulled back, taking in the sight of Luke and Leah.

"And who are these little ones?" Sarah asked, her eyes lighting up.

"This is Luke and Leah," Maggie said, holding them up for Sarah to see.

“Oh this are the little Angels you’ve always been yapping about”

"They're beautiful, Maggie. You must be so proud," Sarah said, smiling at the twins.

"I am," Maggie said, feeling a swell of emotion in her chest.

Sarah looked around the room, taking in the sight of all the guests.

"Well, come on. Let me show you around. There's someone I want you to meet," Sarah said, taking Maggie's hand.

Maggie followed Sarah through the crowd, Luke and Leah still in tow. She was starting to feel more relaxed now, surrounded by the warmth of the party.

As they walked, Sarah pointed out different guests and introduced Maggie to some of her friends. 

Maggie was mingling with the guests at Sarah's boutique launch, sipping champagne and admiring the designs on display. She was starting to relax and enjoy herself when she overheard a group of people talking nearby.

"I heard Raphael's back in town," one of them said, their voice low.

"What? How is that possible? He was banished," another voice replied, sounding surprised.

"I don't know, but I heard he's been seen around here. You know how dangerous that is," the first voice said, with a hint of fear in their tone.

Maggie's heart skipped a beat.

She tried to listen in on the conversation without drawing attention to herself. She could feel her palms starting to sweat.

"What are we going to do? We have to tell the authorities," another voice chimed in.

"I don't know. I just hope they catch him before he causes any more trouble," the first voice said, sounding worried.

Maggie's mind was racing.

She tried to steady her breathing, taking a sip of champagne to calm her nerves but she still couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach.

Maggie had left Sarah's party in a hurry. She knew she had to get out of there as soon as possible. The conversation she overheard about Raphael being back in town had made her feel uneasy, and she didn't want to take any chances.

As she made her way down the alleyway, holding Luke and Leah tightly, she felt a prickling sensation at the back of her neck. She turned around, but there was no one there.

She shook her head, trying to calm herself down. She was being paranoid, she told herself. But as she started walking again, the feeling of being followed persisted.

She quickened her pace, and the sound of her heels echoed through the empty alleyway. She felt her heart pounding in her chest, and her palms starting to sweat.

Suddenly, she heard a rustling noise behind her. She turned around again, but still couldn't see anyone.

She started to walk faster, pulling Luke and Leah along with her. She knew she had to find a cab and get out of there.

But just as she turned the corner, a figure stepped out from the shadows. It was Raphael.

Maggie froze, her heart in her throat. She felt Luke and Leah's small hands grip her tightly.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I could ask you the same thing," Raphael replied, his voice low and dangerous. "What's your plan, Maggie? Hiding from me?"

Raphael’s heart was pounding in his chest as he gazed at the children standing in front of him, holding tightly onto Maggie's hands. He could see his own eyes staring back at him through the dim streetlights.

His werewolf abilities had allowed him to sense the children's presence from the moment he sighted them at Sarah’s party. But he had been hesitant to approach Maggie, unsure of how she would react.

Now, as he stood before them, he knew he had to act quickly. He couldn't let Maggie take his children away from him.

"These are my children right?” he said, his voice firm. "I can sense it. They have my blood in their veins."

Maggie looked at him, her eyes filled with fear and uncertainty.