Bella

Don't call my name, don't call my name...

"Isabella Black?"

Shoot. Jesus. Fudge.

Jacob squeezed my hand with a bright smile as he helped me up. We were at the doctor's office and the results were coming in today whether we had a girl or boy.

On one hand, I couldn't wait to see my little baby. On the other, I really was really anxious about the whole thing, about their health and if everything was going ok.

And a tiny piece of me wanted to make sure that this baby turned out...normal. And that made me guilty. Very.

I loved Jake and my children the way they are, I do. But it was so much of a hassle and stressed me out continuously even though I knew they could take care of themselves now. It was just my motherly instincts that wouldn't let me rest.

It sucked.

"Baby, you ready?" Jacob asked softly.

I bit my lip and nodded, rubbing my stomach in anticipation. "It's time to see little one."

As we got situated, Jake was beaming with pride as the nurse spread the cool jelly over my enlarged stomach. The doctor was adjusting the screen and checking my charts.

I took a deep breath as the picture became clearer. I could see the heartbeat! I could even make out the shape! They were sucking its thumb! Oh!

"Jake..." I breathed, tears in my eyes. He nodded in awe, speechless and very emotional.

The doctor closely examined the picture, mumbling to himself. Uh oh.

"Doctor?" Jacob said hesitantly.

He seemed to shake himself out of it and smiled back at our anxious faces.

"Your baby is fine, nice and healthy and growing right on schedule..."

I could feel there was more to it. What was he leaving out?

"Yes?" I pressed, wanting him to get to the point quickly. It was like ripping off a bandage, right?

The doctor cleared his throat. "Yes, well it seems I made a slight mis...calculation here. Um..ah, well I'm not used to saying this but..."

My eyes widened and Jacob wasn't breathing.

Seth

I ran my hands over my face as I tried not to fall asleep at work. My day job was nowhere near as exciting as running with the pack was during the rest of the day and night.

I was an investigator and took calls. I listened to people complain about legal matters before I tried to help them out and recommend them to the right services. I liked helping people and fixing their problems. I was a genuinely caring person and very compassionate.

However, even I had limits.

It was just very tiring listening to the more ridiculous complaints when there were people with actual problems on the other lines. Some people were so lazy or mean and didn't care about anyone outside of themselves and their situations. I wanted to shout sense into them or just hang up, sometimes both. It could really suck.

Thankfully, lunch came and I was able to have some peace before returning to the phones again.

In my quiet time, I thought back to last night when we all gathered at Quil's house. My four little ones automatically came to mind. They had been more rambunctious than usual.

It was so crazy. I was sure Claire was ready to kill me and take my kids and put them in an orphanage or something.

She scared me sometimes even though she was way younger than me.

I allowed myself a mini body shudder as I got back to my chocolate pudding cup. I lived for those things.

"Woah there. You feelin ok Seth?" I felt a hand lightly grip my shoulder.

I chuckled, not even looking up into those bright green eyes that I knew were staring at me.

"I'm fine, Kenya. I'm just thinking of all the chaos my kids made yesterday."

Kenya Adenike's eyes sparkled with mirth as she giggled along with me. She understood how... eccentric and crazy a couple of kids could get. My co-worker had a little girl, Amiee, who was 5 and a boy, Naveen, who was 11. We had arranged a playdate between Amiee and Aina every once in a while and they were enough to handle.

"Yea, but they are so worth it aren't they?" Kenya sighed happily.

I nodded, finishing my cup and starting on my sandwich. "Definitely. There's something about your kids that just...fills you, you know? It gives you the best feeling in the world."

Kenya smiled slightly and adjusted her bag on her shoulder.

My eyes widened. "Please, join me! Really, sit."

Kenya shook her head. "No, no I was just heading back actually. My desk partner mysteriously got sick and I have to make up for the loss by getting back early."

"But we just got off like five minutes ago." I protested, not believing the unfair news.

She shrugged. "Yea I know. But what can you do..."

I frowned, wrapping up my lunch. I was going to walk her back at least. This was really sucky for anyone.

"Hey, seriously you can finish..." Kenya started.

I waved my hands. "Shush. I don't want you to wallow and like walk on a red light or something."

That got her to crack a smile as she gave in.

"OK fine, come on." She said as we began walking back to the building.

I couldn't help but sneak glances at her during our walk back. I mean, I could see that Kenya was a beautiful woman with her curly brown hair in a single braid down her back, dark green eyes, and tan skin with a full smattering of freckles across her cheeks. Alright, I was attracted, maybe even hooked. I was really glad we were friends...even if maybe I sometimes wanted more. I was going to be happy with what I had.

Kenya squeezed my arm as we reached the elevator. She was on level four while I was on two.

"Thanks for the awesome company Seth." Kenya grinned, showcasing her adorable dimples.

"Of course! I enjoyed having such great company. Now I can go in less depressed for about twenty minutes." I smiled widely.

Kenya laughed and at that moment it was the greatest sound in my world. Fuck, why was I flushing...

"Bye Seth." She kissed my cheek and flitted to the elevator before it closed again with the next crowd of people.

"Bye..." I called out hoarsely, my cheek feeling extra warm.

No no no, I was not crushing on Kenya A'sharia' Adenike...

Ok.

...

I was.

Quil Jr.

"OK son, now it's just you and me and me and you..."

"Doesn't that just kill a mood." I muttered.

Dad rolled his eyes. Mom and Elias had left to go grocery shopping. As it was, our company had completely eaten us out of our home. And I was starving.

"Shut up. Look, I know you're growing up now and aren't an idiot but...I gotta talk to you about your relationship with Alix." Dad explained.

"Just let me know if this is going to be a sex talk already." I really didn't need to hear it from my dad.

He rolled his eyes. "Not completely. I mean, obviously I'd rather you be safe if you decide to do that. But really, I was going to discuss the...wolfy and girly side of things."

"Girly?" Where was he going with this.

"Yea, though that's mostly up to Jacob. See, you know how to treat a lady."

I nodded.

"Yea well you better treat Alix 100 times better. She is what matters and you don't hurt her. Ever. Even if you guys break up or whatever. Oh, and always remember to take the blame for everything. It's just easier that way."

"Thanks dad." I snorted. "Don't I get any happiness?"

"Well yeah. She is your happiness. Sorry kiddo, but she's your ball and chain to paradise."

I just shook my head at him.

"Oh, and if I ever hear...noises from your room like you're a dumb nut ever again...I will have you sterilized."

I narrowed my eyes at his threat. He'd definitely carry it out if I didn't break his legs first. Repeatedly.

"So that takes care of the girly spiel. Now, you know that Alix overranks you in the tribe. She's not your equal on this plane. You've got to respect and understand that." He went on seriously.

I nodded. "I know. I'm cool with it."

"And you must obey all orders. You can't just diss her because you're closer to her than the others. She's in charge and rules must be upheld no matter what." His voice started to sound older, more resonant.

"Yessir. I understand, really. Personal feelings in the workplace are a no no."

He laughed. "Yea pretty much."

I patted him on the back. "I've got this old man. I won't screw it up."

He nodded.

And I wouldn't. I was already thinking seriously about this from the time I knew Alix was the Alpha. I knew it'd be awkward and I'd have to work through it. I mean, so far Sam was still in charge until Alix was fully ready. She was getting stronger quickly and her family was training her.

I really couldn't wait for Alix to replace Sam...like now. Or soon. Sam was so not right for job, regardless of who's kid she was. Sam Sr. was second in command from the start to the Blacks. Samantha would carry on that legacy, unfortunately for her. She definitely didn't count on that and let the power go to her head. Now she was catching whiffs of something strange and became very jumpy as of late.

I'm pretty sure Sam Sr. knew what was going on.

Yea, pretty sure.

Samantha Uley

"Mommie, something's going on here...and it's all wrong. I mean, Gabe isn't answering my texts, I smell wolf, and dad's just...distant." I whined over the phone to my mom.

I really felt a lot of pressure on me, more than normal, because everything was going so horribly wrong. My boyfriend of a year was completely ignoring me and didn't want to even hang out anymore. There was a wolf in the area that still didn't make themself known. I couldn't even detect them anymore, they were hiding. And dad was acting weird and quiet all the time. I didn't like it. I preferred his criticism. Once he went quiet, he just gave up and had nothing to say.

Mom was the only constant in my life even if she wasn't here right now. She was visiting her sister who was having a baby soon. I wished everyday I had gone with her.

"Babe, take a deep breath. First, Gabe has always been a flake on your texts. That's nothing new right now. The wolf thing does worry me and I'm sure your father too. Just keep a look out Sammie. I want you to stay safe ok?"

I nodded. "Yes mommie. I'm lookin out and being cautious. I just worry that with dad's reaction, there's nothing left for me to do to fix this."

Mom paused as she thought. "Well, maybe there's something in the stars that's taking place. Fight though, ok? Be my little warrior over there."

I smiled, the nickname associated with my birth. My mother had been told she could never have kids. I would have had a sibling but they came died in the womb. Then she became pregnant with me and blessings above, I survived. I was the light in my mom's world, I had defied the odds and what everyone knew to be impossible. It made me feel special and strong to hear that nickname. I used the inspiration everyday I was with the tribe.

"Yes I will."

"Is your dad there?" Mom asked.

I shrugged, running my hand through my hair. "I'm not sure." I didn't want to search for him really.

"I'm here." My dad just appeared behind me. Cripes, he could be real creepy when he wanted to.

I silently handed the phone to him and slipped out of the kitchen. I didn't need to be around him anymore than he put any effort into being around me.

Was it me, or was that sadness in his eyes?

Colin

I sighed as I sunk into the new tub we had gotten last week. I was just so...I felt weird. Plus, I was burning up with a horrible fever. I didn't understand it. I felt so sick but strangely powerful as well. It was so strange.

My eyes widened as the water sizzled around me as soon as it touched my skin.

What the hell?

I gripped the sides of the porcelain as I moved.

And it fucking cracked.

Ok. Now I was freaking out.

Alix

I was anxious.

Mom and Dad had called a little while ago from the doctor's. They said they'd be a while longer than expected. Nothing was wrong.

They sounded breathless.

I was freaking out just a bit over here. What was going on with my new little sister or brother? They didn't even have the courtesy to fill us in on the gender.

I was just ready for them to get home.

Jake

Frowning, I flipped through Quil's journal, not really reading it. My mind was elsewhere, wondering what was going on with mom. She sounded so cryptic over the phone. I couldn't tell if there was good or bad news over there. Dad was no better. His voice was completely monotone and he wouldn't answer any of my questions.

I didn't like it.

It was kind of a scary feeling. I didn't want anything to happen to the baby. I was ready to be a big brother all over and I already felt protective of them. Plus, Alix was finally going to be a big sister which I knew she was excited about.

Nothing should go wrong right? But...it felt that way.

Kenya

What do I have to do to get him to show him I actually liked him more than...friends?

I poked myself with my pencil as I listened to the complaints. It was never ending. And you could really tune them out easily. They started to repeat themselves in varying forms of anger or distress. Nothing I couldn't handle.

But back to MY problem and MY complaint...

Seth was just so sweet and cute and single...and clueless! I mean, I wanted more than friendship and kid playdates with him. I tried throwing out hints for him to pick up. I'm pretty sure he wasn't that dense; he just needed the confidence to act on them. And he definitely didn't have that.

Maybe I should just ask him out myself. It'd be the direct route, which is what I think Seth needed here.

I smiled to myself as I imagined just that. I'd go to lunch with him and just ask him point blank. That would be sure to shock him into action.

Really, I had never waited for anything in my life. I was more proactive with things. I made things happen for me.

Seth, you better prepare.