Page 32 of Don't Howl At Me

“We should contact GRC and inquire if they have any information. I don’t remember anyone mentioning that. I could bring it up at the next meeting.”

Wolf squeezed me close. “Let’s discuss it with the leaders and ensure we are all on the same page in bringing this to the council’s attention.”

Even though I was part of GSC, I understood that some things needed to be kept secret until the right time.

A crack suddenly pulled my attention to the eggs. Again, they rocked toward each other. “Oh my goddess. Do you see that? What they’re doing?” I sat up and pointed at them, excitement growing.

The eggs smashed against each other, forming cracks. Our children were brilliant.

Wolf laughed as the eggs crashed against one another again. Two large shards fell away, revealing the first glimpse of our pups. “Seriously, look at that. They figured, why work ourselves when we can help each other out? That’s amazing. I love it.”

I did, too, and leaned in for a better look.

Two wolf pups climbed out of their eggs, only to sprout wings a few seconds later and show us their dragon forms.

“They are going to change the world one day,” Wolf whispered as the babies shifted into their human forms.

“I think so.”

We each took a naked newborn into our arms and settled back in the nest. The future could wait for tomorrow. For now, we needed to rest.

“Welcome to the world, Callie and Colin,” Wolf whispered as I felt sleep claim me.

***

The walls closed in on me. It was a huge house, and we had almost anything a person could want. But I needed to go to the store for a few things. Shopping online wasn’t as fun as holding the onesies in your hand and knowing how soft they were or if the color in the online catalogue was accurate. I wanted to grab a latte from the Pink Coffee Cafe cart inside the mall and maybe make a few omega parent friends who were also out walking with their kids. I needed to see the world outside these walls.

“Babe, I know there haven’t been any attacks in a while, but I’m uneasy with the idea of you going out without a guard right now,” Wolf said when I asked to leave the house. “I can send one of the cousins with you, or you can wait until tonight, and I will go with you.”

I huffed, “I’m not useless, you know. I can protect myself and the babies.”

“I know you are capable. But right now, we don’t want anyone going anywhere solo. Kids don’t count,” he added.

“Fine,” I said. “Send one of your cousins, so I can go to the store. Please.”

“I love you, Ollie.”

I sighed. “I love you, too, Wolf.”

***

We hadn’t had issues in weeks, and I thought stepping out and getting some new clothes for the babies would be okay. And maybe a little something for myself because I deserved it. When the cousin who was supposed to come with me texted that he couldn’t because he got into an accident, I decided I could go anyway. I was trained and could protect us. I packed up the kids and headed to the mall.

Everything went well at first. The kids slept most of the trip, and I got a few things I wanted. But then it didn’t.

It started with a tickle at the base of my spine. Something telling me to be on guard. Nothing was evident around us. No one looked out of place.

The mall was filled with parents and children trying to get errands done or meet up at the play area since it was raining, and outdoor parks would be a bad idea. Groups of teenagers giggled, flirted, and pretended they were more relaxed than they thought. But no ominous strangers were watching me.

Popular G-rated music pumped out of the speakers and mingled with the chaos of the shoppers talking and, in some cases, yelling. The volume was a bit overwhelming for me today, but I continued on and just tried to focus on the cooing of my babies and let everything fade to a low hum of background noise.

The mouthwatering scents of blueberry muffins and fresh coffee from Pink Coffee Cafe called to me like a siren song. I ordered my hot Toasted Marshmallow Mocha and a croissant for my lunch. The boys would wake soon, so I wanted to eat before they demanded their bottles. And since they were both sleeping soundly in their tandem stroller, I had at least a few minutes.

I sat at one of the food court tables and checked on the twins. Their soft skin showed no signs of overheating. They were fine. I ran a hand over the blanket and appreciated the sensory output of the soft yarn.

I had a great time at the mall and was able to meet a few other omegas and find out about a few playgroups in the area. I was excited to enter the world of a stay-at-home parent. As soon as we solved the mystery of those assaults months ago, I was sure Wolf would be excited I found a group to meet up with weekly. I was glad I made this decision.

Callie and Colin started fussing and tiny sparks of energy shot from their fingers. Something was wrong. Babies only exhibit magic like that when their personal protection wards are being nudged and tested for insecurities. Someone was watching us, waiting to get us. The tingling tendrils of dread were riding me and making me panic.

---