Page 91 of The Wolf Slayer

His mother’s head shot up as her eyes widened. “Twins?”

“Yes Mother, we are having twins.”

Her face lit up. Reaching over Niev, she pulled him into a hug. “Selene has truly blessed you both. Twins… I can’t believe it.” She paused, and her face changed, a shadow laying over her joy. “Did your father know about this? I told him what I thought about making a pregnant woman heal all the men. I condemned it. And if he knew about the twins, I’ll make the rest of his life a living hell.”

“Calm down, Mother. He didn’t know about it. I only told him just now. And Niev would’ve done it no matter how many children she’s carrying. Please don’t make this a big deal in front of her. She doesn’t want to be treated like a child. She’s not like you and shares modern views on pregnancy and motherhood. If she feels the need to take it slow, she will do it on her own terms. Until then, she doesn’t need anyone hovering over her.”

He softened his next words as he saw his mother’s frown.

“She knows you mean well, and she appreciates the care you have for her, but she’s stubborn and no ordinary woman. If she needs you, she’ll ask you for help. Until then please don’t force her to take it slow.”

She still looked hurt, but nodded and fell silent.

After a while, she left the room to see how Alizia and Darron were doing and to also check on her new grandchild. Seth left with her, leaving Blake and Niev to themselves. The longer Blake laid next to her the more tired he got. He tried to fight the sleep but lost just as the sun began to dawn.

He woke up because Niev started to move in his arms. She was still asleep but turned her body toward him, laying her head on his chest. They must have slept all day, the afternoon sun already shining through the window. He closed his eyes as he repeatedly ran his fingers through her hair.

He was enjoying the moment, holding her close. He knew he should be out there cleaning up the mess of the fight. He should be out there moving the families back to their original homes. He should be there to assist the transport of the wounded and mourn the dead. Instead, all he wanted and could do was to lay with his incredible woman in his arms and enjoy the time they had together.

She needed him more than the pack, and she’d given the pack more than anyone could’ve ever asked for. She deserved this time with him. She deserved far more than just a little cuddle time. Her sacrifices could never be repaid, even though he would try to pay her back for the rest of their lives.

A quiet knock on the door made him open his eyes. It was Lyliann who hesitantly opened the door and popped her head inside.

“We just wanted to check on you both, Christa wants to know how she’s doing. If Niev needs her, she’ll drop everything and come here.”

“She’s still sleeping, and the babies’ heartbeats are still strong and have a good rhythm. I think she’s out of the woods.”

“Well, let us know if you both need anything.” With that she quietly closed the door behind her.

Niev started to wiggle in his arms and lifted her head, slowly opening her eyes. She still looked exhausted, but she smiled as she looked up to him. “You’re here.”

“I should’ve never left you.”

She looked around, panic spreading over her face. “Where is everyone? Are they okay?”

She paused, her panic growing larger as she quickly sat up, pulled the blanket off her body and looked down at her stomach.

“The babies are fine. Their heartbeats are strong.” He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer again, laying his free hand on her stomach, gently rubbing it. “Everyone else is fine, and Layla had her baby last night.”

Instantly she relaxed into his caress.

“Tell me what happened, beautiful.”

And she did in every detail.

As she talked, tears ran down her cheeks–tears of pain and guilt. She told him how she was willing to sacrifice herself and the babies, not seeing any other way out. Knowing she wasn’t able to run or hide, she knew she had no other option but to make sure that Layla, his mother, Alizia, and Darron would survive.

It broke his heart hearing about the emotions she’d gone through, and the pain she must have felt as she realized her babies wouldn’t survive another fight. She told him how desperately she needed him, how afraid she was to not only lose her children but to also lose him after having to tell him she sacrificed their children. At that point, he realized why she’d asked him for forgiveness. The plea for forgiveness he’d heard must have been her last thoughts before attacking the wolf.

When she finished, he took her face in both his hands. “You did the right thing. You were brave, you were strong, and you were kind. You saved the lives of many with your actions. You never should’ve been in the position to make such decisions in the first place. Yet, you showed bravery and true love.”

He then pressed a kiss to her lips. She tasted salty, but her tears slowly ceased as she reciprocated and joined his kiss. The kiss grew passionate, long, and intense. Her lips pressed on his, hot and thick.

“I love you, beautiful.”

“I love you too, my gentle wolf.”

He held her tightly in his arms as she pressed her body against his. He didn’t know for how long they laid in silence, but he knew she needed it. She needed time to process what she’d gone through. Even though she had no physical scars, he knew she would carry mental ones for the rest of her life. After what felt like hours of silence, he broke it trying to get her mind off the past.

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