Time jump:

Practically jumping out of the vehicle, Barba and Olivia ran into the house. The pack was piled inside the house, with the rest gathered in the backyard.

Taking Olivia's hand, he led her through the crowd, growling at anyone that tried to stop them. "Enzo."

"Rafa!" Enzo sighed in relief. "The pack midwife is in the room with Alpha Garcia."

"What happened?" A loud yell coming from the room had everyone whimpering.

Enzo shook himself off. "I don't know. Sierra called me frantically that the Alpha Garcia's water had broken. Looks like one of the she-wolves challenged her and it drove her into labor."

"Who?" Barba growled.

"She's secured in one of the rooms." Enzo assured him. "We have four wolves guarding her."

"How is Garcia?" Olivia asked.

With everything happening at once he hadn't noticed Olivia. His eyes widen in horror, quickly gave the woman a bow. "Forgive me, I didn't see you."

"Tha-" Not sure what was going on, she turned to Rafael for an explanation.

"Enough." Barba grumbled. "Any word on Aaron?"

"No."

"Are you comfortable going into the room with me?" Barba asked Olivia.

Olivia nodded. "Of course."

Leading her down to the end of the hallway, they stopped at the last room. Barba placed his hand on the door and closed his eyes. Pushing the door open they stepped in.

Garcia was lying on the bed in a pure white gown. All around her were shirts and other clothing items. "Rafa." She gasped. "Wh-where is he?"

"He's coming Love." Letting go of Olivia's hand he walked over to the midwife. "How is she?"

"Still have a few more cemeteries before we can begin." Arat whispered. "Who's the human?"

"Olivia Benson." Rafa muttered.

"Ah, the mate." She chuckled. "About time."

Barba tossed her a warning look. "Not a word Arat. She is not aware."

"As my alpha commands."

Walking back to Olivia, he took her hand in his. "Any word on Hotch?"

"No, but Amaro thinks he knows where he might be." Looking over at the elder woman, she watched her mash and mix a few herbs into a mug. "Who so she?"

"That's Arat. She's one of the elders in the packs. Arat has been in the pack since it was first created. She helped deliver the first alpha and every pup after that." Barba whispered. "Including me."

With all the calm energy in the world, she helped Garcia get into position. Her eyes scanned the room with a frown. "Where is the mate?"

"We are still trying to get ahold of him." Barba replied.

"There must be an alpha male present in the room." She reminded. "If not him, then you must take his place."

"Not the best idea." Barba may not be mated to Garcia, but leave him in a room with two newborns and he will become feral.

Garcia stretched out her hand towards Olivia. "Female alpha."

Olivia frowned. "What?"

Arat glanced at the female, nodding slowly. "As long as she stays in the room, you will be fine Rafael."

"Why must he stay?" Olivia asked curiously. Already taking a seat on the edge of the bed and taking the she-wolf's hand.

"The pups need to feel an alpha male's presence. It creates a connection between them and the pack. There also needs to be an alpha or her mate with Garcia, our scent will calm her just enough." Removing his suit jacket and tie, Barba took the other side. "It also gives her emotional support."

"Okay, just a little more, and then we can get us pushing." Arat grinned. "It's been a while since we've had pups in the pack."

"Penelope!" Hotch burst through the door. He looked out of a horror movie. His shirt was torn from what looked like claw marks. His body was covered in blood. Not bothering to explain his appearance, Hotch rushed to her side. "I'm here."

"I thought you wouldn't make it." Garcia winced at the pain shooting up her abdomen. "Where were you."

"I had some complications with some trespassers." Pushing her hair back, he kissed her over the head. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Barba caught Olivia's gaze, jerking his head towards the door. Leaving the couple, he followed Olivia to the living room. Where the pack was still gathered. "Unless you are either the Mate or next of kin to either Aaron or Penelope, get out. Go for a run. The second we know something, I will call you back."

Slowly and reluctantly they began to thin out. Howls of thrill for what was to come echoed through the pack. Barba frowned at not seeing Olivia by his side. Glancing over his shoulder he found her sitting on the porch swing. Taking a seat beside her, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in.

"How long has it been since there has been a child born?" Olivia moved her hand to rest on his chest. "I thought you would be worse than rabbits."

Barba scoffed a laugh. "You must not believe everything you see in the movies. More than half of what you see is false."

"So you're not worse than rabbits?"

"No, we are." He smiled fondly at her soft snort. "But we only act like rabbits on steroids when we are with our mates. And although we have the DNA of a canine, the female can't just pop out pups."

"You're going to have to explain that one to me."

"Females have heat cycles." Barba began. "They go through it twice a year. It usually takes about three days and two days for recovery. It's also when the female is at the peak of her fertility. Most females have one or two pups. On occasion, the rare triplet will occur."

"What happens during one of those heats?" Olivia asked.

"Contrary to what is stated in books and movies, it's not so dramatic." Running his hands through her hair, he laid his head back. "But I can't speak for them. You'd have to ask one of them."

"What about the guys?"

Barba tensed. "You're rather inquisitive today."

"I want to know everything I can about you and your world." Laying her hand flat on his chest, she pushed herself up. "Or we can talk about what happened in the apartment."

Tensing once more, his eyes slowly turned to her. "Right…the apartment."

"I don't know what came over me." Olivia sighed. "One mo-"

"You don't need to explain yourself." Barba cut her off. "It was in the heat of the moment. Besides you just got out of a relationship with Brian. The last thing you need or wa-" He was cut off by her lips pressed over his.

He was stunned for a moment, trying to understand what the kiss meant. Feeling her lean in closer to him, he deduced she wasn't going to back away. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he quickly took the reins of the said kiss. For the second time that day, Olivia had managed to render him under her spell. Before he could deepen the kiss, she pulled away with a soft gasp.

"That wasn't much talking." Still out of breath himself.

"You were doing a little too much." She teased. "Only way I saw possible to shut you up."

"I'm not complaining, but I do need to know what it means?"

"Mean?"

He nodded. "What do you want Olivia? From me? For us?"

Biting her lower lip, she pushed off him completely. Walking towards the porch rail, she turned to face him with her arms crossed. "I-I have been thinking of maybe taking it beyond just a friendship."

Normally Barba would have taken the step, but he needed to know what she was looking for. "A relationship?" She nodded. "Okay." Standing up, he took her hand in his. "Let's give this a try."

"Alpha Barba." Arat stepped out, her bag in hand.

"How are they?" Olivia quickly asked.

Arat gave the woman a short bow. "Both the mother and pups are doing well. Alpha Garcia is tired as expected. Both pups were born strong and healthy."

"Both pups?" Barba laughed happily. "Two?"

"Two boys." Arat gave the man a gentle pat on the chest. "I shall take my leave."

While Barba spoke with Arat, Olivia made her way to the bedroom. Knocking softly she thought she heard a mumbled yes. Opening the door, her eyes were instantly drawn to the two little bundles in Garcia's arms. Before she could say anything, she was pulled out of the room, just as a large figure lunged against the door.

"You okay?" Barba had them against a wall. "Not the best time to go looking."

"Was that Hotch?"

Barba nodded. "Yeah, give him a few hours to calm down."

"What happened to him?"

Letting her go, he took a few steps back. "It's the emotions of being a new father. The need to protect your pups and mate is overwhelming. He'll shift back once the pups have accepted him as their alpha."

"But they are newborns." Olivia pointed out. "How can they accept him?"

"It's a bond." Barba replied. "A need you are born with. That's why there must be an alpha in the room. It creates the bond instantly between the two."

"What happens if they don't form the bond?" She asked. "If there is no alpha?"

"They will grow up feeling incomplete. A part of them missing. The older they get the harder it is for them to create a bond with another alpha. In the end, most end up being pack less."

Olivia looked up at hearing the bedroom door open, revealing a disoriented Hotchner. The man pulled the door wider and disappeared back into the room. Barba stepped forward, taking her hand and leading them into the room.

Garcia sat up against the headboard, with one child in each arm. She looked up at them with a tired, yet proud look. "Two boys."

Not able to hold herself back, Olivia rushed to her side. Taking a seat beside her she gently pulled down the corner of the blanket to see the child. He stated back at Olivia with wide brown eyes. Both babies had full locks of hair, which were wet from the bath Arat must have given them. Olivia smiled fondly at the child fighting to stay awake, regardless of his eyes trying to stay shut. "He's not ready to give in just yet."

Garcia snorted. "This one fell asleep the moment after he ate."

Biting her lower lip, Olivia nudged Garcia. "Can I hold him?"

"Of course."

Taking the child in her arms she unknowingly made her way over to Barba. "He's beautiful."

"He is." Barba couldn't help but imagine her holding their pups. She looked so natural holding the child. "What are their names?" Standing behind Olivia, he ran a finger over the pup's hair.

Garcia looked down at the one in her arms. "This one is Seth. And that one is Elijah."

Barba raised a brow glancing at his long-time friend. "Elijah?" That was the one name Hotch never liked.

Hotch growled. "Shut up."

"Boys." Olivia gave them a side eye, causing the two to shut it. Handing the pup back to Garcia, she stepped back. "Are you hungry? We can get you guys anything to eat."

"Starving." Garcia groaned.

Barba noticed the look Hotch gave him. "How about Hotch and I go pick up something to eat? He looks like he could use some fresh air. Liv-"

"I'll stay here and keep Garcia and the boys' company." Leaning back she gave him a quick kiss. It still felt somewhat awkward and new, but it also gave her a sense of protection and love.

"So, how are you doing with all of this?" Garcia asked the moment the two males were gone.

"The truth?"

"Of course."

"I'm a bit scared." She felt a weight off her chest the moment she spoke those words. "Every story I read about werewolves were horror stories. Humans that turned into mindless beasts. The craving for carnage and blood. Although I am aware that Barba, you, Hotch, and the others are not like that, it's still-"

"Scary to be around them." Garcia nodded understanding the human completely. "I know what you are feeling. I found out what Aaron and Rafael were when they shifted to protect me. It took some getting used to, but I couldn't not, not keep loving them. They were my family."

"You weren't born as one?" Olivia asked.

Garcia shook her head. "A few months after I found out, Aaron and I began dating. Before I made the decision to accept being his mate, I asked him to turn me."

She hasn't realized they could be turned. "Why not ask Barba?"

"Two different reasons." Handing one of her sons over to her, she placed the one in her arms into the crib at the side of the bed. Turning to take Seth from Olivia, she decided against it after seeing the bright smile on the woman's face. "Depending on who the bite is from, that alpha would be your alpha. So had Rafael given me the bite, I would have had to go back to Aaron and let him mark-bite me as his. The second was Aaron and I were going to mate. Him biting me overpasses the need to ask my brother permission to do so."

"Can anyone turn anyone?" Olivia nudged the baby's nose with her. "Like Enzo or Sierra?"

"Nope. The alphas are the only ones with the ability to do so." She shrugged. "It's an evolutionary thing I suppose. To keep the number of turned under control."

"Can I ask you a personal question?" She kept her eyes on Seth, not sure if asking such question was disrespectful to them.

Garcia chuckled. "Of course."

"Barba and I were talking earlier and he mentioned the heat cycle." Looking up at the new mother, she spotted the amused look in her eyes. "What is that like?"

"The first heat is always the worse." Garcia thought back to hers. "On the first day, your temperature runs high, much like a fever. Your mind is clouded, but still understand what's going on around you. Your scent is ten times more attractive to the unmated males around you. On the second day, you feel the need to nest. That's when you gather items belonging to your mate or potential mate and nest around you. The want to have them near if only by scent becomes a necessity. If you are not ready to mate with that person, they will sit outside your door to ensure their scent is always present. By the third day, your body begins to cool down. You still require your mate, but can go for a few hours without them near."

"How do you handle the fever?"

"Long cold showers." Garcia replied. "Fill the tub and just sit in there for as long as you want. A cold glass of water also helps."

"Do all females go through that?" Olivia asked. "Are there no pills or something they can take to stop it?"

The she-wolf knew a human wouldn't truly understand now but in time. "No, this is part of who we are. It doesn't harm us or cause us any pain. Besides mating when in heat is something else." Seeing the curiosity in her eyes, Garcia went on. "During the heat, our bodies are much more sensitive. We feel everything. The wind on our cold sweat. The touch of the sheet against our skin. We feel every touch, kiss, stroke, and even breath on us."

That sounded amazing. "Can I ask you, why hasn't Rafael done that?"

"Done what? Mate?"

"Yes. Isn't it important for him to have one?"

"A wolf has the right to choose the one they want to mate with. One can date and bed as many as they like, as long as they don't mark or knot the individual. Once mated the two are linked for life. The two have the ability to share emotions. When the alpha mates his priority changes a tad bit. the pack although still his responsibility, his mate is above them. Should either one of them die, the other will fall into a depression that would most likely kill them." Garcia replied. "But that is not always the case. Many of them are mated through arranged marriages. Usually to keep the peace between packs. When that happens they never really love each other. Which doesn't allow the bond between them to grow past tolerance. So should one of them die, the other will not be affected."

"That sounds harsh." Hearing the baby coo, she looked down to find big brown eyes looking up at her. "He has beautiful eyes."

"He gets them from Aaron." Garcia spoke with adoration for both her pup and her husband. "Elijah's are a little smaller and lighter in color."

"When will they have their first shift?"

"When they are of age and their wolf is ready." Garcia was handed back her pup. "It varies for each one. The youngest to have ever shifted was Rafael at the age of 14. The oldest was an old packmate of ours, Gideon. His first shift was at 26. From what we know it's when the wolf in them is woken up."

"I'm going to go look for Barba, see what's taking them so long." Olivia said.

"Can you ask Aaron to bring me some water?"

"I'll be right back."