Here is the next and last part of the story, as promised.
Happy reading!
I should have known Christina would want to know everything and that she wouldn't drop it. I've been avoiding her for the last two days but today, she followed me to my room and sat on my bed without me telling her to.
"Really?"
"Yes Christina, really." I respond angrily.
"Don't get angry."
I jump on the bed and lay down, my head on the pillow.
"I'm sorry… I'm tensed. I can't wrap my head around that."
"It's okay."
She starts rubbing my head behind my ears. She seems to like it because a smile grows on her face. She's never done that.
"Christina?"
"Hum?"
"What are you doing?"
"Oh, sorry." She apologizes. "I wanted to comfort you but I didn't know what to do. And it's relaxing."
"Do you want to braid my fur too?"
"Really? You'd let me?"
"I was kidding…"
"Oh.."
I lift my head and move to lay it on her lap. She smiles and starts again the movement on my head.
"Thank you."
"It's relaxing."
She laughs but doesn't stop.
"So… you have two little cubs in your tummy?"
"Seems like it."
"How are you feeling? I want the truth!"
"I'm excited, scared and sick of being a wolf."
"I thought you loved being a wolf."
"Yeah, just not all the time. Only to hunt."
"Try to convince Tobias to let you go hunt next time."
"You're cute. You really think I need his authorization?"
She bursts out in laughter and stops her movement on my fur.
"Can we go the living room? I want to see Tobias."
I jog behind her in the hallway but run ahead once in the stairs. The scene playing in front of me makes me see red. Nita and Tobias are rather close, this bitch decides to put her hand on his chest. I don't think, just act. I jump on Nita with a growl. I bite her violently on the arm to teach her how to keep her hands to herself. I am about to bite another time when I am caught by the skin on my neck.
I was ready to meet Tobias' eye but I see my father's. My mate is on his knees in front of me as my mother checks Nita's wound. She could spill all her blood on the floor, I wouldn't care.
Nita starts to whine and I jump again on her. I don't have time to touch her, Tobias catches me before that.
"Take her outside!" My mother orders.
He doesn't drop my fur as he brings me outside. I feel like a child being scolded. He makes me sit on a bench. I don't know what is wrong with them but they all want to pet me today. After a few minutes, I lay my head on his lap.
"Feeling better?"
"Yes. You better not tell me I was wrong. She deserves it."
"I'm not saying otherwise. It must be tough for you to stay like that all the time. And she's been testing you lately."
"Thank you."
"Why?"
"For not being angry with you."
"I could never be angry with you."
"Lieveling…"
We turn our heads to my grandmother. He offers her his sit and leaves us alone.
"How do you feel, Lieveling?"
"I want to turn back."
"It's too dangerous."
"I know."
"Lieveling… we don't do this to punish you. Don't you want healthy babies?"
"Of course I do."
"Don't worry about Nita, that'll teach her to put her snout where she shouldn't. She knows better than to provoke a female, and an alpha it's worse."
"Thank you, Oma."
"Go take a walk in the forest and bring Tobias with you. You both need it."
I lick her hand in gratitude. I go back inside without looking at my cousin, it could be bad for her.
It takes me at least ten minutes to convince Tobias to come with me. He turns when I threatened to leave alone.
We wander slowly, I am sometimes pushed by his snout on my backside but I don't give in. I know exactly what he wants. He does it more and more often so I sit to make him understand it is a no. He licks my head in a last attempt.
"Tobias, no way!"
"Oh come on. Knowing you're carrying my babies in your tummy, it makes me want to…"
"Maybe, but I said no."
Whines and cries make me look back. I must admit, he's talented.
"It's still no."
"Tris…"
He bluffed. Of course.
"Tonight. If I want to."
"Fine…"
He doesn't show it but I know he's moping. I want to console him but my smell recognizes a familiar odour. A deer.
"Don't think about it." He warns.
"Tobias… please…"
"No way!"
I don't listen and sprint to the odour. I don't take time to concentrate on the prey. I bounce on it and catch its throat. Tobias finally arrives as I'm holding it down. The deer breathes its last breath a few seconds later. I watch my male with an innocent look on my face.
"You are impossible."
"You should be used to it by now."
He falls next to me to start eating. He's the only person I let near me and my prey when I eat. That's how much I love him.
I moan in delight when I taste the fresh meat. I'm hypnotized, I can't stop. It's been a week since I've eaten fresh meat. It's vital to me. When I'm finished eating, Tobias is already done and laying beside me.
"You were hungry…"
"The babies asked for it! I needed that!"
"I'll make sure you'll have some more often."
The river is rather far from here, but we must clean up. Well I do. Tobias could take a shower at the mansion but I can't.
When we arrive, he turns to get cleaned up easily then helps me scrub my fur.
"I usually love your fur. Now, I don't."
"It gets very dirty, I know. It's too thick. I've always had to deal with that. And seeing my parent's furs, I'm not surprised."
He doesn't say anything but my words make me think.
"Where are your parents? You've never talked about them."
"My mother died when I was young. My father… he's the Alpha of another pack."
"How? I mean, only a mated male can be Alpha."
"There's a reason why I left with you. My father killed unfairly anyone who tried to take his place. He told me that if I wanted to fight, it would be to death. I wanted to leave but without a good reason, it would have been suicide. They know about you, that's why I'm still alive."
"How did they know?"
"I told them."
"… and who is Eric?"
"An asshole… Officially, he's the son of my father's mistress."
"Kind of like your half-brother?"
"Yeah…"
That's not true because second weddings don't exist here. We have a soulmate-some will never find them, that's rare – and if he dies, we don't have another true love. They are meaningless flings. That's what Nita lives now.
"That's why he hates you?"
"He was scared I'd become Alpha because that's what he's always wanted to be. I don't know if he'll try to fight my father."
"Has he already mated?"
"No. If he did, he would have done everything he could to be number one."
"Is he still jealous of you?"
"Of course. I'm an Alpha and I'm mated to the most beautiful wolf on this planet."
"Flattery won't help you."
"And honesty?"
Fortunately, he can't see me blushing with all this fur. He checks my fur before turning.
"You're all cleaned up. Come on, let's go home. I don't want you to get sick."
"Yeah. I'm tired."
"I'm not surprised with how fast you run."
When we get back, the sun has already disappeared. They must be in their rooms or in the forest… or somewhere else because the main hall is empty. That or somewhere else because the main hall is empty. That's a good thing because I just want to go to bed. Once in the bedroom, Tobias turns. He slides under the blanket but I have to stay above it. The biggest disadvantage of all that: I can't sleep in the arms of the man I love. No, I have to act like a domestic pet.
It has been close to sixty days now that I am pregnant and more than a month since I've been human. I'm close to blowing up. I love being a wolf but I can't do anything alone. Moreover, my stomach dangles with the weight of the babies and that's the most tiring thing I've ever experienced. That's why I don't move a lot. Tobias is amazing though, always making sure I have what I need.
My grandmother keeps a close eye on me. She never lets me move without knowing what I want to do. She says that these little monsters boxing in my stomach could come very soon. I'm excited and terrified.
Today, Caleb promised to take a walk with me in the forest to take my mind off all of this. Tobias doesn't mind because he knows I don't have the strength to jump on a deer. I think I couldn't even catch a wounded rabbit if I wanted too. Besides, wandering with Caleb is very calm. That boy is too calm to be a wolf and he's my brother. Spot the problem here.
We don't go far from the mansion, only a kilometre or two.
"Caleb, why do you always stay at home?"
"I don't like going outside."
"You're part wolf. You should like that…"
"It's complicated."
"How could it be?"
"You wouldn't understand. "
"Well, if you don't explain, I won't understand."
"Bea…"
"No, Caleb! I want you to find your mate and to be as happy as I am now."
"Did you notice I'll go out under one condition?"
"Yes, with me."
"Yeah that too, but not only."
"I don't know."
"Always during the day and only when the sun is out."
"You're scared of getting wet?"
"No… When we were young, I almost got killed by a boar. I escaped just in time. That's why I never go out."
"Why did I never know that?"
"You were too young. Then, we didn't want to scare you and we were scared you wouldn't go out after that."
"Well, now I understand. How do you feel now?"
"I'm okay. I always feel safer when I'm out with you."
I look at my brother and smile at his words. He's never expressed his brotherly love before. We eventually lay by a tree to help me rest when a wolf appears right in front of me. Well, more like a she-wolf. She's beautiful with her red fur and brown highlights. She looks terrified.
"So-sorry…I…"
"Who are you?"
"My name is Susan but don't hurt me, please."
"Come closer. We won't hurt you."
Her step is careful but she comes closer. I smell her wariness, nothing surprising.
"What are you doing here?"
"I left my pack."
"Which one?"
"Coulter."
"I don't know this pack."
"It was the Eaton pack but the Alpha changed."
"Marcus isn't the Alpha anymore?"
"No, Eric killed him."
He has what he wanted. Suddenly, I don't feel safe here anymore.
"We should go back. You're welcome to follow us."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Thank you."
We've walked around a kilometre when I start to slow down. My stomach weights a ton and the babies are moving around. I stop to catch my breath. Caleb turns around, worried.
"You okay?"
"Yeah… just need a minute."
"Sure, take your time."
"What's wrong with her ? "
"She's pregnant. "
After a deep breath, I start walking again. I have to go back to the mansion because I know what is happening. I'm going to have my babies.
"Tris, don't push yourself if you have to rest, we can wait."
"I have to go home, Caleb."
He seems to understand and on the way, he doesn't stop to encourage me. Once the mansion is seen, I tell him to warn the others while Susan stays with me.
Tobias rushes outside and with the help of Caleb, my father and Will, Christina's mate, they bring me to my bedroom. My mother comes with my grandmother.
I can't move, Tobias caresses my head to help me relax. The pain makes me groan.
"How is it gonna go?" I ask.
"It's going to be fast, I promise. Follow your instinct. We stay behind the doors to leave you alone. If you need us, call."
"Can Tobias stay with me?"
"Of course."
They leave us alone. I lay on my left side, something is moving inside of me and wants to come out. I'm not comfortable and I don't think I'll feel comfortable until they decide to come out. My instinct tells me I have to prepare their arrival, I lick the fur to make them room down there. Tobias grimaces when he sees me.
"If you want to judge me, you can leave."
"Sorry, I didn't want to embarrass you. Do what you need to."
The labour doesn't last long. Thirty minutes later, I feel the first cub coming.
"Tobias… he's coming."
He turns too, probably to support me. Many Alphas don't feel involved when their wifes give birth to their child. I groan when I feel him coming. The feeling is uncomfortable but once he's out, my instinct kicks in. I start to clean him as he whines. Eyes closed, he moves slowly to find some food. I look at Tobias, proud I could make it.
But the contractions come back. The second one is coming. Fortunately for me, he's born much faster. Just like the other, he moves to my nipples to eat.
To Tobias' despair, I also eat the placenta.
Once the labour is done, I see Tobias staring intensely at the babies eating. I also see I put blood everywhere on the bed.
"Can you go find my mother."
"Of course. I'm so proud of you, you were amazing."
I watch my babies as they suck on my nipples. They are adorable. Their fur are black but it doesn't mean anything, they fur will change while growing up. I'm so eager to see them in their human form.
My grandmother is the first to come in.
"Lieveling…"
She sits on the edge of the bed to have a look at them while my mother is in my father's arms.
"How are you feeling, honey?"
"Tired."
"I'm sure you are."
"When can I turn?"
"I think you should wait until tomorrow. You have to rest and the babies need you."
The second one stop eating but stays against me to keep warm. Tobias climbs on the bed too and lays behind me. I don't know he guessed that having him here is soothing. The other one goes to sleep next to the other.
"You should sleep, Tris."
Every member of the family look at the babies then leaves us alone.
"Sleep. I'll take care of you three."
I don't need more coaxing to fall asleep. I'm exhausted.
The weird feeling of something small poking my belly wakes me up. I open my eyes and immediately see two balls of fur moving blind toward the nipples. Tobias is still sleeping.
When they are finished, I get up to go to the bathroom. Tobias put a litter box in there for me. That's not gratifying but we did what we could. Once my bladder empty, I sit on the bed watching the babies snuggling together to stay warm. All of this is so strange.
We don't even know if they are boys or girls and we still have to find names. Twenty minutes later, my mother walks in slowly to give us food.
"Hi, how are doing?"
"Much better."
"How are they?"
"They ate and now, they are sleeping again."
"They are adorable."
"Yeah… do you think I can turn now? I really want to shower to get all this blood off."
"Your grandmother said you could. However, if anything seems unusual, you turn back immediately."
I don't wait a second to be human again. It's so weird to stand on two feet again but after all this time, it's perfect.
"Everything's fine?"
"For now, yes… Do you mind watching over them while I take a shower?"
"Not at all."
I enjoy each step to the shower and the feel of hot water on my skin. I scrub the dirt that was on me. I don't stay too long because I don't want to stay away from my babies for too long.
When I enter the bedroom, I catch Tobias' eye. He smiles then takes me in his arms. I kiss him passionately, I missed him so much.
"I missed that! I won't let you turn now."
"It's going to be a problem when they'll be hungry."
"Alright, that's the only exception."
I hold him tightly against me while looking at my mother. She's caressing the babies, a big smile on her face.
Today, the babies are more than six months old. They opened their eyes quickly and began eating meat around two months later. It was convenient for me, I didn't have to turn several times a day. They always play together, they pretend to fight. I watch over them, sitting on the couch as they bite each other. Tobias was ecstatic when he knew they were both boys. We named them Ethan and Mason.
According to grandma, they should turn soon. She even said it can be forced. That's what we're going to do when Tobias comes back from an Alpha meeting. Ethan starts to sulk and climbs on my lap.
"What is it?"
"Mason is cheating."
I caress his head. They start speaking when they started eating meat and they learned really fast. Grandma told me they can be compared to six years old human boys.
"What did he do?"
"He bit my tail. We said we can't."
Mason climbs next to me.
"Not true!"
"Alright! Mason, it's not nice to not follow the rules! But Ethan, it's important to remember that during a real combat, there are no rules. Understood?"
The nod their little heads and start playing again. I watch them with a smile. They grew up so fast, I still can't believe it.
The door of the mansion opens, Tobias walks in with three other members of the pack. The boys stop fighting and run to their father. He holds them both in his arms.
"Were you good today."
"The howl to say yes. Tobias taught them that, he's really proud of it. He lets them down again before coming to me and kissing me.
"How are you?"
"Fine. How did it go?"
"Alright, I guess."
"Eric again?"
"Who's else? He's really the only one to forbid wolves from other packs to step on his territory, even just to cross it. So don't go there again. Never. And we'll have to warn the kids too when they'll go out alone."
"Alright. Speaking of them, are you ready for their transformation?"
"I hope it'll work."
"It'll work. I'll look for grandma."
I find her in the kitchen, baking a cake."
"Oma, Tobias is home. Can we do it?"
"Yes, it's time."
We bring the boys in the forest. Grandma brought her cake and I brought blankets in case it works so they don't have to walk naked. We settle next to the tree they love to climb on.
"Do you know why we are here?" I ask them.
"No."
"Well… you've seen everyone can be a wolf but also a person. You can do it too. Today, we'll teach you to be humans."
"How?"
Grandma shows her cake, they smell it but back up, not interested. I'm not surprised, they've only eaten meat ever since they have teeth.
She gives them each a piece of it.
"You're going to eat the cake and think of the little boys you could become. It will be difficult. Imagine yourself with hands and fingers first."
I watch them while holding Tobias' hand. What if it doesn't work? What if they stay like that forever?
After ten minutes observing them trying to eat the cake with no results, I try to interrupt but grandma stops me.
"Wait!"
"It doesn't work."
"Are you sure?"
Slowly, I see the paws of my sons becoming clearer, the fur disappears. Then, their forearms. They stand on their back legs as they slowly become humans. They faces change last but when I see their smiles, I fall on my knees to hold them in my arms. I cry as they hold onto me.
"Let me see your faces!"
Mason looks exactly like Tobias with a child face of course but Ethan looks like me. I kiss them on the cheeks, making them laugh. I look up at their father who watches them with tears in his eyes. Just like before, they jump in his arms and he holds them. I hug my grandmother to thank her.
"Dankjewel, Oma."
She rubs my back to soothe my crying.
"Did you put something special in the cake?"
"Yes, only plant proteins. The stomach of a wolf can't digest them so their organisms protected them."
"Will they be able to turn when they want now?"
"They should be. They know how it's done."
We walk to the mansion, Tobias and I each holding a son while explaining to them that we'll teach them how to turn whenever they want. When we walk through the door, the silence is deafening. My parents are the first to react. Caleb leaves his mate, Susan, chocked to see my sons on their feet.
"Are they…?"
"Grandma, you see?" Ethan screams.
"Oh my.."
She hugs them tight then hugs me.
"They are beautiful." She says.
"Thank you, but we knew that already."
The two boys are in the spotlight but I see one of my 18 years old cousin, Gaëlle, hiding in a corner. She has long black hair and big green eyes, a legacy of the Wright family I didn't have the chance to have. She is gorgeous and even more in a wolf. She looks like a husky but still looking like a wolf and her green eyes are piercing.
I join her to make sure she's alright.
"You're quiet… that's unusual for you."
"It's nothing. Your sons are adorable."
"Don't change the subject. Tell me what's bothering you."
"I wanted to talk to you all about something important but I don't want to steal their moment. They love to be in the spotlight."
"They'll have enough time to be the centre of attention. Tell us what you wanted to say."
"I don't know… I'm scared of Tobias' reaction."
"If he's rude, I'll take care of it."
"Thank you."
She rubs her hands together as she walks in the centre of the pack. She turns to me and I raise my thumbs up in support. I walk to Tobias and the kids.
"I have something to tell you! Listen up!"
Silence falls on us and the pack watches her.
"Well… I found my mate… and I'm leaving to live in his pack."
Everyone cheers. Of course, it's sad to see her leave but the fact she found her soulmate erases the sadness. That's a big day for her.
Shauna hugs her firmly.
"What's his name? He could have come here.
"He's been an Alpha of another pack ever since we mated."
"How long has it been going on?"
"Six months…"
"How did you hide it for six months?"
"I was never here, always with him. But I can't live like that anymore."
"Who is it?"
Gaëlle looks at us, biting her lip.
"Eric."
Knowing I had two cubs in my belly instead of babies was nothing compared to the bomb she's dropped on us. My mate starts to growl dangerously, I immediately react and pull him outside.
"I'm going to kill him… I'm going to kill him…"
"Tobias! He's her mate, that means he loves her too. Eric will never hurt her, she's everything for him."
"He forbids us to walk on his territory, but he sleeps with your cousin."
"Tobias." I growl.
He calms down when he sees my teeth coming out. I could bounce on him to teach him to respect my family … who is also his pack. Knowing him, he'll never fight back.
"I'm sorry, I went too far… but Eric?"
"You better move past this. He's part of the family now."
He winces at this idea. I drag him inside so he can apologize to my cousin. Then my father asks to speak with us to show us something in the office.
We weren't ready for that.
Hidden under the desk, the boys cut their hair and glued them on their arms with extra-strong glue.
"Mommy said we could be like before…"
I really hope you like this short story. Don't hesitate to tell me which one you want next. One of the following or another from my stories!
"Will you tell us a story?" Tris and Tobias had a beautiful and happy life. But the end comes always too soon. Now that he is alone, Tobias doesn't live. He survives. And his family realizes that too.
"Like sisters" I've never thought I could feel like that. Ever since she was born, my daughter was my world. Maybe it is time I let the woman in me live. Even if it's just for a second.
"Her first steps" Sometimes, we are on our knees, beaten by life. We can stay down or we can fight and get up. Never lose hope. After each painful event, a reward awaits us. The event can destroy us, the reward can mend us.