| Kaleb

When I sat awake at night envisioning the day I would bring my children into the world this is not at all what I had imagined. I had not thought that my mate would be rushing me back to the pack house in his arms as mind-numbing pain rolled through me. Nor did I think that I would be giving birth on the very day my kidnapper was killed. It was all very surreal and I just couldn't believe that it was happening.

I am about to give birth to not one but two children, the thought alone was enough to stress me out but on top of that, the concern that the tonic I'd been taking impacted them negatively caused guilt to weigh me down heavily. I would never forgive myself if they didn't make it, all because I trusted someone I shouldn't have. But that's the story of my life. I trusted Jared and he betrayed me, I trusted Samira and she betrayed me. I'm stupid and gullible if it weren't for me my kids would be fine.

A pained gasp tore past my lips causing Zev to look down at me with concern. I could feel through our bond that he was worried, sensed it in the way his hands would clench every so often. My arms around his neck tightened as another wave discomfort rippled down my spine. I whimpered, burying my face in his neck. I didn't deserve him, he deserved someone who wasn't weak and pathetic. Yet, he was stuck with an omega who was also a runt and is there anything more pathetic than that?

Hush, I love you and the three of you are going to be fine. I won't accept anything less, do you understand me? Zev barked through our link. I pressed my face further into his neck as tears began to stream down my face. Do you understand me? He repeated. I nodded, unable to respond in my thoughts or out loud. Good, now stop overthinking things and focus on the little ones. My lip wobbled as I nodded again.

Darren who was in wolf form ran silently beside us. He had sent Josh ahead to gather some of the pack mothers who weren't attending the pups. The former beta had taken off after he had been given the orders like a bat out of hell. Darren stayed back in case there were any rogues still lurking around. I was grateful to both of them, they both helped to save me from Jared and now they were helping me save my pups. I thanked the goddess for having friends like these. I don't know what I ever did to deserve them but I was grateful that I had them.

When we reached the pack house Darren shifted and ran up the front porch steps before damn near ripping the front door off of its hinges. Zev rushed in behind him and a panting Josh walked over to us with shorts in hands, he was wearing a pair himself although his chest remained bare. He tossed one to Darren who quickly put them on and held onto the other pair as he gestured for the alpha and my mate to follow him. They fell into step behind him quickly as they walked into the deserted living room

"Maryn and the others are in Samira's room. She said it was the best place for him to give birth." the Lunos informed us as he led our small party down the hall.

Maryn was the oldest pack mother and possibly the wisest. She was the previous pack healer before Samira. Her own daughter would have taken the mantle but she passed away during the fight with the witch coven, so she took Samira under her wing and taught her everything she knew. If anyone would be hurt the most by Samira's betrayal, it would be her.

Zev walked into the room first, Darren and Josh remained by the door, keeping their distance. A small bed had been moved into the room and Zev sat me down on it begrudgingly. Josh tossed him the extra pair of shorts and he slipped them on. I could tell he didn't want me out of his arms. I quickly grabbed his hand to help us both through it. His much larger one wrapped around mine in a gentle grip as he knelt by the bed, emerald eyes shining with worry. He brought my hand to his lips before pressing them against my knuckles. I gave him a small watery smile, the best I could muster. He smiled back weakly.

I could feel his worry for me and or unborn children through our bond despite his best attempts at trying to mask it. He was trying to be strong for me despite the possibility that I or the little ones wouldn't make it. It tore at my heart that the probability of that happening was high. The last thing I wanted was to lose one or both of my babies, and I also couldn't stand to leave Zev behind if I passed on. All I could do was pray to the Goddess that everything was going to be okay.

Immediately one of the pack mother's rushed over. It was Atalia, a middle-aged she-wolf with lovely dark skin and short curly hair. In her hands was a wet rag and she reached to wipe my head with one but quickly pulled her arm back when Zev growled at her menacingly. I squeezed his hand and he stopped growling, turning his attention to my face.

Atalia looked at Zev warily before shifting her gaze back to me, I gave her a small nod and she reached out again, wiping the accumulated perspiration from my forehead. Zev didn't growl at her again but instead settled for glaring a hole through the hand that was touching me. His tiger was fighting for control, I could tell. He wanted to tear apart all the people surrounding his pregnant mate and his children. It didn't seem to register that they were only trying to help.

"Keep your tiger in check, or you will be kicked out," Maryn warned as she shuffled over on aged feet. She moved to stand next to Atalia as she met Zev's hard gaze head-on. He nodded with a clenched jaw. I squeezed his hand in what I hope was a reassuring way.

"Take deep breathes, Kaleb," Atalia advised, still dabbing at my face. I followed her instructions, filling my lungs to capacity before releasing the accumulated air. My breathing was interrupted by an intense wave of pain which caused a cry of agony to rip from my throat. Zev's eyes flashed emerald as he brushed a damp curl from my face.

Josh rushed over to my side, blue eyes full of concern and worry. "Runt..." he began, looking down at me. He swallowed thickly. "You better make it out of this okay, you and my godchildren. Who else am I gonna complain about Darren to?" he joked halfheartedly. I laughed despite the pain I was in as Darren stepped up behind his mate.

"I heard that." the Alpha groused, pulling his mate against him. "It's going to be fine, Kaleb. We'll see you in a few hours," Darren encouraged softly, a gentle smile playing on his lips. I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.

"Alpha, if you wouldn't mind giving us the room?" Leia, a slim brown-haired woman said as she gestured towards the door. Darren nodded.

"Of course." he glanced at me, "Look after him." Leia nodded.

"We will, Alpha," Leia assured him. They left, closing the door behind themselves. I was a little sad to see them go but I wasn't able to dwell on it as more pain wracked through me. Atalia ceased wiping at my forehead and stood, moving out of Maryn's way as she stepped closer. The elderly black woman, pressed a bony hand to my stomach, gliding her fingers along the rounded mass.

"We don't have very much time before they move any further down, so we have to go about this quickly." Maryn stated, "You can either go through with a C section or shift and give birth to them naturally." On any other given day, I would have argued that there was hardly anything natural about a male giving birth, it was more magical in an unexplainable way.

"I j-just want them to be alright." I panted. At this point, I didn't really care how they came out just so long as they were okay at the end of it. If she had to cut me in half for that to happen then so be it. Maryn sighed, patting my free hand with the one she previously had on my belly.

"Which would you recommend?" Zev asked, urgently. Maryn looked at him in the eyes as she responded.

"Each carries its own cost and benefit. A C Section would be faster but puts Kaleb and the twins at a great risk. To shift would cause the little ones to shift inside their placenta along with him and they would not shift back until they have opened their eyes." she explained. The answer to me was clear. Even if I wasn't able to see their faces for their first month it would still be worth it.

"I'll shift," I said. Maryn nodded, looking down at me understandingly. She gave my hand one more pat before stepping away. Zev's grip on my other hand loosened as he let go, standing up before he began helping me out of the oversized clothes I was wearing. Once I was naked I shifted or tried to anyway. It was much easier said than done. The pain made it hard to concentrate on the change. I could feel the little ones moving in me throughout the abnormally slow process of shifting. When I had shifted completely I lay there panting on my side. I felt like I had just run 50 miles without stopping. My heart pounded in my chest as I got light headed.

"You're doing perfect, Kaleb." Atalia praised as she stepped into my line of vision holding a bowl in her hands. "Drink this, it will help with the pain," she instructed, lowering the bowl to my face. I lapped at the milky liquid inside it. I could feel the pain slowly ebb away into a dull ache until I was completely numb. Zev rubbed my head and neck, eyebrows pinched and the corners of his lips curled down.

"In a few moments, you will feel the need to push," Maryn spoke up from the chair she sat in at the foot of the small bed where she had the best access to my rear end. Leia and Atalia stood at her sides. "Your body will know what to do, trust your instincts we will take care of the rest. " The elderly she-wolf advised softly. I tried to keep my breathing steady in order to slow the rapid beating of my heart. A few moments passed before I felt some pressure and immediately my muscles began pushing. I was grateful to not be able to feel any of it, I was never good with handling pain. Zev's hand paused, from the corner of my eye I could see him looking down at where his babies were going to be coming out with his brow furrowed in rapt attention.

"The first one is almost out, push a little harder, Kaleb." Maryn coached. I felt her hands as she tried to aid me through the process. I followed her instructions which resulted in audible gasps filling the room. I wanted to lift my head up to see but it felt like my body weighed hundreds of pounds, it was too hard to move. I was a little saddened by that but the emotion was completely swept away by the elation that took its place once the damp face of a tiger cub entered my vision as Atalia held them before me. If I could cry in this form I would. They were beautiful and chubby. The little cub squirmed and whined in Atalia's hands. I licked at their cute snout as Atalia handed them to Zev who brought the wiggling little one up to his face, a beaming smile spreading across his features.

"It's a boy." He said as his eyes lit with happiness. I let out a small yip as my tail wagged sluggishly. A boy, I was completely blown away. I had just given birth to a little boy. Happiness filled me, taking the place of the numbness I'd previously been feeling. I wanted to hold his small furry body in my arms so bad, but I had to wait for his sibling first. Nevertheless, my relief at seeing his healthy form was consuming.

What will we name him? I asked my mate as he placed our cub right next to my head. He paused for a moment, considering the question.

"Nolan." He murmured as he stroked the chubby cubs head gently as adoration filled his hazel eyes. I nudged our little Nolan, filling my nose with his scent. I was more than relieved to see that he was okay. He mewed as he buried his face in my cheek searching for a teat that wasn't there.

Perfect. I sighed.

"The next one needs a little help," Maryn stated calmly. I felt my body pushing but it didn't seem to be doing anything. I concentrated on putting all of my effort on getting the little one out, but it was considerably more difficult than the first time.

"Keep pushing, Kaleb." Leia encouraged. I tried, but it seemed the more I pushed the weaker I felt, still, I refused to give up. My muscles were tired and practically begging to given a moment's rest but I didn't give in to the temptation. I pushed with the remaining strength I had left and was rewarded a few moments later with the sight of a whining, chubby pup. Their fur was a darker black than mine, they were just as chunky as their brother. Atalia then handed the crying pup to Zev.

"Another boy." Zev laughed, an airy emotion filled sound. "What do you want to name him, my love?" he asked me.

Nox I replied. His name is Nox. Zev held him in front of my face when he noticed me straining to sniff him. Relief filled me, he was okay too. I licked his black face affectionately before Zev placed him next to his brother. They immediately curled into each other as they snuggled against my neck. Feeling their warmth was unbelievably reassuring. They were healthy. They were okay.

"Nox?" Zev chuckled, eyes filling with tears that wouldn't spill. "Well, I guess that makes sense." I stared at my little ones through droopy lids, so much love and warmth filling my heart I thought it would burst. I fought to keep my eyes open but they refused to obey my wishes. I was just so tired. My whole body was numb and my brain was sluggish. I just wanted to sleep.

I couldn't focus on what was going on around me anymore. The voices in the room became muffled and incomprehensible. I didn't have it in me to care. I let out a sigh, just as my fight to keep my eyes opened ended. I lost and was sucked into darkness.

When I woke up I was in a different bed than before, still in my second form. I raised my head slowly and noticed that my children were sleeping curled up together pressed against my stomach and my mate was curled around us in his immense tiger form. He lifted his head in response to all the movement I made. We touched noses and Zev released a deep chuff.

I'm glad you're awake. His deep voice rumbled through my mind. His large emerald eyes stared down at me with adoration and relief. His face was still close enough to mine that could lean up and lick his face. He leaned down to give me better access as a steady stream of chuffs rumbled through him.

How long have I been out? I asked as he moved his large head in order to groom me in return. His large tongue smoothed the fur on the top of my head. I felt like it was days ago that I had given birth. My internal clock was all out of whack.

A few hours, they moved you and the kids to our room while you slept. Zev informed me as he continued to groom me. The feeling was very soothing and took away the rest of my lingering stress from the previous few hours.

They're fine, right? I asked just to make sure. I looked down at them. I wasn't so much worried about myself as I was them. They would always take precedence over me in my eyes.

Perfectly healthy. He continued grooming me. And so are you. I looked down at them. They slept peacefully. Nox was curled into a ball as Nolan lay haphazardly on top of him. They were so cute I felt as though I could stare at their faces for hours. Their second forms were abnormally large compared to others of their age. From the size of their paws, I could tell they were both going to be freakishly large like their father.

I'm so glad they are okay. I sighed in relief. I couldn't wait until they opened their eyes for the first time, to be able to see what color they were. And when they had they're first shift to human form I wonder who they'd take after in appearance. I secretly hoped that they would both take after Zev in looks. I watched as Nolan rolled off his brother, unceremoniously landing on his side, surprisingly the little one didn't wake up. Nox simply readjusted, placing his head on his brother's neck and promptly fell back asleep. I couldn't help but laugh, I could already see the difference between them beginning to show.

They're beautiful. I sighed, leaning down and gently grooming their heads. How did I get so lucky to have a wonderful mate and have two beautiful sons? I was being biased, I know but once I saw them it was like nothing could be more perfect than them. they had been born with an extra an extra limb and I highly doubt that I would feel any different. Though I suppose all parents feel that way about their children...with the exception of one of mine. I was nothing like Larken, I was going to love and cherish my sons like a father should. I promised myself then that I would be the dad that I always wanted.

You are not your father Kaleb, you are going to be the best dad. My mate assured me as he continued grooming me. I hummed in acknowledgment as my eyes began to droop. Despite having been asleep for hours, I still felt worn out. I kept my eyes on them as long as I could until Zev's gentle grooming lulled me back to sleep.

***

The water streaming down my body felt like heaven. My sore muscles and residual pain were eased by the warm water as it rolled off my skin. I wished Zev were here with me but he left while I was still asleep. I linked him when I woke up and my mate informed me that he was with Darren and would be back soon. I was glad he let me sleep instead of waking me. Goddess knows I needed the rest. I quickly shut off the shower and toweled off before putting on some clothes and walking back into the room. My little ones lay sleeping in the middle of the bed, using each other as pillows. Nox seemed to be the designated sleeping spot for Nolan. He lay on top of his brother's back with his bottom on the onyx pup's head. Nox didn't seem bothered in the slightest.

My boys were hefty in size despite their young age. I'd noticed it yesterday as I gave birth to them but now that I could truly look at them I realized just how big they were. Newborn pups are half the size of Nox and Nolan. I blamed their father and his ridiculously huge self. It was a trait that they definitely inherited from him. I was also surprised to see that they were the same size. I would have expected Nox to have been smaller, if only slightly. Still, it led me to wonder if he'd grow to be the size of his father like his brother would. If that was the case, then Nox would be the largest wolf I'd ever seen. We simply didn't grow that large and Zev was immense. Only time would tell and I would love him either way.

I was still in shock over how dark his fur was. It was darker than mine, like pitch in the way it reflected light, giving his coat an incredibly soft and silky look. The name Nox itself wasn't very creative but, his fur reminded me of the night sky without any stars, to me it fit perfectly. Nolan I was beginning to see was going to be a hand full. Zev had come up with his name and apparently named him after his grandfather.