Chapter 7 Four Months Later... The sounds of their howls were closer than the last time. I was slower than when I first escaped Pine Paw with my now-protruding stomach filled with them, the twins. But for their sake, I will keep going. I have to keep going. Currently, I’m in no man’s territory where rogues like me bounce from town to town, trying to find a place where we belong. It’s a region where rogues are supposed to be safe, but my pursuers tell me otherwise. The sounds of town life reach my sensitive ears from the safety of the forest trees, and I try my best to run faster. Just a few more kilometres, and I will be safe from my pursuers, from the wolves of Pine Paw who are just a stone’s throw away from me.I can hear the sounds of both wolves and humans now chasing me, realizing that some have shifted, probably to make it easier to try to persuade me to come back. Hell has a better chance of freezing over than me going back to Pine Paw.“Don’t hurt her. She is
Chapter 8 The drive is longer than I expected. We slowly leave the small town behind, and I can’t help but smile contentedly as the buildings give way to the beautiful forest. The leaves are changing to the lovely colours of red, oranges, and yellows you would find in fall. Inside the Jeep, Tate turns on the seat warmer for the passenger seat, and the warmth underneath me causes my eyelids to feel heavy as I drowsily continue to watch the scenery fly past me.I must have dozed off from the peacefulness of the drive with my newly discovered mate beside me because I soon found myself being lifted into strong arms that brought a sense of warmth and security over me, all while in a groggy stupor. Groaning, I turned my head into whoever held me, hiding my eyes from the light above and clutching at a soft fabric.“Shh, Laina, go back to sleep, little one.” A deep gentle voice whispers in my ear. I oblige, letting the darkness of a comfortable, dreamless sleep take over once
Chapter 9 “I don’t need all these clothes!” I exclaim in frustration as I exit the changing room, only to spot Eeva throwing more clothes into the shopping cart. I can’t help but shake my head at the brunette woman as she picks clothes for me from dresses to pants, casual to formal. I had a feeling if I let her continue, she would turn whatever savings I have into nothing.“One, you do. I even threw in clothes you can use for after you deliver your babies. Two, they’re cute and will fit any occasion, and as the future Luna, you need them. And three, they fit you.” I couldn’t argue with Eeva’s logic. All the clothes she has chosen for me are in a style I like, and many were close to the pre-pregnancy size that I can fit into once the twins are born. With a sigh, I follow behind Eeva as she pushes the cart towards the counter, her eyes scanning around if she missed any other article of clothing from this store that would suit me. I had a feeling she did not get out to s
Chapter 10 The first week of living with Tate flies by as he and I get used to the routine of living together. I had slowly moved my clothing and other items into Tate’s room. The vanity I found in the guestroom I woke up in on the first day in this house has been moved to sit in front of the large bay window that faces the backyard. Tate let me explore the house as much as I wanted, where I found the basement with a large workout room on the second day. I couldn’t help but squeal with glee when I saw all of the workout equipment, going as far as doing some light workout, with a worried and panicking Tate frantically trying to keep the heavier weights away from me. Spoilsport.There were times when walking around the forest with my mate when we would pass by his pack members, and his possessive side would show. The first time I convinced him to go for a walk with me, a Warrior got too close, thinking a rogue was attacking his Alpha. I had to pull Tate’s black wolf fo
Chapter 11 Pain!Pain is all I can feel, gripping my body with terror, as I wake up, clutching at my sides. I let out a scream as a spasm rocks through my body, causing me to curl up as best as I can. Something inside me tells me that something is wrong. Tears are streaming down my face.“Tate!” I scream out, praying that the sleeping wolf beside me wakes up quickly. I don’t know how much of this pain I can endure. Feeling my mate jump out of bed, I catch his green orbs glowing, searching for danger. His bright eyes soon land on my curled-up form. I whimper as another wave of pain shoots through me, the tears continuing to flow.“What’s wrong, baby?” I see the panic-stricken look on Tate’s face as he rushes around the bed and to my side, his hands brushing away the hair that sticks to my face. My body shivers from the cold sweat now coating my skin as I cry out in pain once again.“I… I don’t know.” I cry out, fear lacing my voice. I close my eyes as yet another spa
Chapter 12 My eyes once again open to the annoying sound of the heartbeat monitor. I hate that machine with a passion as it continues to beep with my every heartbeat. Glaring at the monitor, I slowly sit up only to feel my body being pulled back down and held captive against a muscular chest.“Where do you think you’re going?” Tate mumbles, his voice husky with sleep as he nuzzles against my hair. I grin and relax against my mate, deciding to leave the grudge against the machine connected to my body.“I was going to smash the stupid machines connected to me,” I admit with the heart monitor once again beeping to punctuate my statement. I couldn’t wait to get rid of these machines, especially the one with its annoying beeping. I just want to be home with Tate and our baby girl and mourn the death quietly of my other child. As if connected to my thought of her, a tiny cry of protest rings out from the bassinet. Tate groans before releasing me from his arms. He proceeds to
Chapter 13 "You ready?" Tate's voice floats to me, and I sigh, taking a last look at myself in the mirror. My blue eyes held unshed tears in them once again as sorrow fills me. I stand wearing a long-sleeved black lace dress with my hair in a high bun. Today will be a long and depressing day for everyone. I feel strong arms turn me away from my pale reflection and press my head into a sturdy chest as I take in Tate’s scent with a shaky breath."You don't have to go if it’s too hard, Laina. Everyone would understand." He says and kisses my forehead. He knew I am close to breaking again. Any mother would be close to breaking on the day they burry their baby.“I have to, Tate. She deserves to know how much I love her and will miss her.” I whisper out with a whimper into his chest. Taking another deep breath to steady my emotions, I take Tate’s hand, and the two of us make our way down the stairs where Jack and Chris fawn over Julia, a soft smile on my lips as I watch the
Chapter 14 Light slowly drifts in through the sheer curtains, falling across my eyelids, causing me to wake up. Strong arms are wrapped around me with my back against a sturdy chest. The tingles against my skin tell me that it’s Tate as he snuggles closer to me. I needed to get my mind off of yesterday and move forward. I will always love Kelly, but Julia needed her mother to raise her. Today is a new day, and slowly my grief will settle down.Tate slowly pulls away from me and kisses my forehead before his presence leaves the bed. Ten minutes pass by till I decide that I did not want to stay here in bed forever, and I throw the covers back to stand. Stretching, I make my way towards the bathroom for a shower, letting the warm water cleanse away the smell of grief from yesterday off of my body. I feel more refreshed as I shut off the water and wrap my body in a fluffy towel, still learning to get used to my small stomach once again. I step away from the master en-suite