“We’re going to have a security detail on both of you for a while, but if they’re doing their jobs right, you’ll never see them unless there’s an emergency.” Beta Milo walks us around the penthouse, showing us the new security equipment and how to use it. “There are three panic buttons. One in the bedroom next to the lightswitch, one in the kitchen under the cabinet closest to the refrigerator, and one in Zara’s office on the underside of her desk. Press any of the buttons and someone will be at your door in less than two minutes.” “Do you really think someone would try to get into our home?” Zara looks around and holds Dillon a little closer. “Zara, I promise you, if they even think about trying to get up here or get into Jasper and the twins’ condo, we’ll know right away and you’ll never know about it.” Milo leans on the counter. “These buttons and the camera at the door are an extra precaution, just in case.” Zara looks back at him and nods nervously. “O-okay. I trust you.” “Z

“Gods and goddesses are real. It’s true, Jasper.” Zara shakes her head at him. “I can prove it to you.”Jasper looks at Zara as if she has grown a second nose. “Zara, you’re going to school to be a scientist. You really believe that crap?”“Of course.” Zara tilts her head sideways, assessing him while she thinks of what to say next. I settle in to see what is going to happen. Debates between Zara and Jasper are always fascinating. He is quick-witted and challenges her to think more than most people are able. He almost always provides a counterpoint to their conversations that makes her have to dig deeper to prove her point without going over his head with technical information. “Alright, I have a question for you. What do you feel when Katie or Kara touch you or when you touch them?”Jasper thinks about it for a moment, then squeezes Katie a little tighter. “I guess it’s like… butterfly wings just under the surface of my skin.”“And what does it feel like when you touch me?” Zara pull

We fall into a comfortable rhythm with Katie taking responsibility for Dillon during the days. Some days Kara joins her, but most days she doesn’t come upstairs unless we are having dinner together. Katie says her sister is trying to figure out what kind of job she wants. According to Jasper, Kara likes things to be tidy and in order. She cleans up around the condo, then spends most of her time curled up on the sofa watching cartoons. When he doesn’t have class, he makes it a point to take Kara out while Katie is working to make up for the time she had to be at the rehab facility alone. Watching their relationship blossom differently than his relationship with Katie was refreshing to see. Where Katie is excitable with tons of energy and can overtake a conversation when she’s around people she knows, Kara has a tendency to fade into the background. Jasper adjusts his demeanor to accommodate both girls. Happy and excited with Katie and more soft-spoken and doting with Kara. The twins b

“Go get yourself settled, Pocket.” I lead her toward her office after she gives Dillon a kiss. “I’ll bring you a snack.” “Is Zara okay?” Katie looks between us while she hitches Dillon up in her arms. “Estelle says she needs to stay off her feet. It’s called bed rest.” I observe Zara walking toward the office. “Just to make sure the baby is safe. Don’t worry, Zara will be fine, so will her pup. We just need to be careful.” “Oh, thank the Goddess for that.” Katie still looks worried, but a timer goes off for Dillon’s bottle, so she hurries away. I change my clothes and take Dillon from Katie, letting her know she can go home for the rest of the day. I juggle Dillon and his bottle while I make Zara a protein shake. During my food prep multitasking, I have a heart-to-heart with my son. “Dillon, I’m not gonna lie. I’m worried about Mommy. She pushes herself too hard and forgets to take care of herself. You know how smart she is, right? I think she’s probably as smart as Einstein, but

The next hour is a flurry of activity filled with nurses and Ace using words I have never heard and don’t understand. They hook Zara up to tubes and monitors while I helplessly hold her hand, wipe her tears away, and try to whisper comforting words in her ear. Through the chaos, a little sound makes me sit up straight. Rocky howls with delight and Zara laughs through her tears. Our baby girl is crying for the first time. I feel frozen to the spot while I watch the nurses clean the screaming infant and give her a quick exam before they wrap her in a white blanket and hand her to Zara. By the time the blanket touches Zara’s hands, the crying stops. The tiny little girl silently observes her mother, who is observing her in return. The nurses hurry around cleaning up and filing out of the room. The last nurse to leave lets Zara know she will be right outside the door. “Congratulations, you two. She’s a mostly healthy, tiny werewolf pup. I’ll give the three of you a few minutes together,