We sat around at my parents with Nova and Alaric. Nova lay asleep on my lap leaving her feet on Alarics, she fell asleep while he gave her a foot massage which always puts her to sleep since she got pregnant. Her bump hanging off the edge of the sofa a little with how big she's got over the last two months.

It still amazes me that we're finally starting our own family. My house, or should I say our house, is almost finished and ready for us to move our things in. My dad, Tommy, has been helping me build cots and chest of drawers for the twins ready for when they arrive. Two Moses baskets sit either side of our bed so Alaric and I can pass a hungry pup to its mother if she breastfeeds.

The back pains are getting worse day by day for Nova. She's carrying two big pups in her small body which makes it hard for her to get around. Most of the time she's in bed resting so her back doesn't cause her too much pain. As for if we know if there's a third, we're not sure. Cara scheduled us an appointment to look tomorrow but we're pretty sure it's just two pups.

"How's everything been then?" Arlo asked. His ageing face smiling while he looked at my mate.

"She's been good. Back pains because there's two not just one, but I guess that's to be expected as she's only small herself. But she's happy, loves to feel them kick and move so she's not complaining." I told him.

"How have you two been holding up." He looked between Alaric and me.

"Okay. Scared shitless for Nova but she's not complaining so I think everything will be okay." I replied.

"Like Karter really. But as long as Nova is happy and content, so am I." Alaric smiled.

"Have you seen Kobe since it all happened?" Tommy questioned.

"No." I shook my head with a small sigh. "I told Eli I didn't want him around Nova nor the pup because he really did hurt her. Even seeing Jax, Nova was unsure but the others she's okay with as they're still on the younger side and don't understand as much. But I don't want to force her to see Kobe if she doesn't feel safe around him." I shrugged.

"That's fair I guess." He nodded a little. "I wouldn't want that around your dad or anyone else. It must be so hard for her."

"I think it was the fear that she could've lost one or both pups." Alaric stated. "She doesn't want Kobe to hurt them again so it's better to bring fear into the mix, so if she fears him, she knows she won't go near him especially with the pups. Whether unborn or not."

"Makes sense." Arlo agreed. "Bless her. So much shit for such a good girl." He sighed.

Before anyone else said anything, the door opened and Ryan, Eli and Kobe walked into the living room. The rest of the boys being at school or the pup daycare. Upon seeing Kobe, I had to hold back a growl so I wouldn't wake my sleeping mate.

"Nova." Kobe whimpered looking at his sleeping sister.

"Don't look at her." A growl sounded. I looked at Alaric who glared at Kobe which made me take his hand and place it on Novas bump feeling the pups kick so he could calm down.

"I didn't know you were here otherwise we would've left him at home." Ryan sighed and sat next to his father.

"It's okay. They've got to see each other at some point, don't they? Not sure if it'll be a good reaction from Nova." I shrugged.

Everyone was quiet for a while until the silence broke with Nova huffing and sitting up. "These pups won't stop kicking me. I swear they're always active." She huffed and puffed.

"Sorry baby. But it'll all be worth it in the end." I smiled at her.

"Yeah it will be." She smiled at me. Only then did she look around the room seeing Kobe, to which her smile faded and fear took over her face.

"Nova-," he started.

"I'd like to go home please." She turned to Alaric.

"Whatever you need baby." He nodded and stood up. I got up with them only for Kobe to stand as well.

"Nova please." Kobe said as she and Alaric walked out of the living room.

"Back off." Alaric growled at him.

"No. That's my sister." Kobe frowned and went to grab Novas wrist immediately making her sob out. Using my vampire speed, I pushed Kobe against the wall and looked at Alaric.

"Take her home, I'll meet you there." To which he nodded and helped Nova walk out of the house.

"You can't grab her like that." I glared at him. "Do you not understand that she fears you?"

"She doesn't fear me. I'm her brother." Kobe scoffed. "Look I just want to apologise so everything can go back to normal."

"Normal? What, you bullying her all the time? Kobe, Nova isn't some pup you can push around, she's going to be a mum. She doesn't want you around her or her pups fearing you'd hurt them." I rolled my eyes.

"I was just joking with her. She doesn't need to fear me. I would never harm her or her pups." He stated.

"But she does. Kobe you almost made her lose one or both pups because you hit her. You've done it once, she doesn't know if you'll hurt her again or hurt her babies." I sighed. "When she's ready, she'll come to you so you can apologise, but I wouldn't hold my breath that she will."

"I'm sorry Karter, I never meant to hurt her." Kobe cried.

"I know. But you have to give her time, do it all on her terms." I told him. "I'll bring her back tomorrow after the scan so you can feel the pups kick. She didn't have a good night." I hugged my parents.

"It's okay baby boy. Tell her we love her." Arlo smiled after we hugged. I said goodbye to my other fathers and my brothers to which they returned. Passing Kobe, I placed my hand on his shoulder giving him a soft smile.

"She'll come around, you know she will. Just give her the time she needs." I told him. He nodded and I left to see my mates and pups.

"She really didn't like that." Elias sighed out.

"Instant reaction." Kolby said. "Immediate fight or flight."

"I never meant to hurt her, I swear. It was meant for Karter." Kobe sniffled.

"We all make mistakes bud. I wouldn't let it eat you up, you know Nova will forgive you eventually." Tommy told him.

"I know. She's too nice for her own good." He huffed and sat where his sister once was.

"Why do you think Karter is with her all the time. And Alaric. I'm not making excuses for Karter, but ever since Nova was born he was by her side. He's all she knows and thank the moon goddess he's her mate because it would've been hard for her to accept anyone else. But since she was born, Karter has only had her best interest in mind, he does more for her more than anyone else does. That is until Alaric came and split it up." I explained.

"Why do you hate him so much?" Eli frowned. "Ever since I can remember you've never liked him."

"It's not that I don't like him, I do. I love and respect Karter." Kobe muttered.

"Then why torment him?" Ryan questioned.

"Because Nova chooses him all the time." He admitted. "It should've been her brothers she turns to, not him. I should be the one to protect her, but she constantly chooses Karter."

"So you're jealous because Nova spends more time with Alaric and Karter?" Elias asked to sum everything up.

"Yes. Karter more so because he's been there longer, but Alaric as well because I know even if Karter wasn't in the equation, she'll still choose him." Kobe frowned.

"What you have to remember is that Karter has been there for your sister since the moment she came into this world. And he'll be there when she leaves." Eli spoke softly to his son. "I know it's hard coming in second, but her happiness and comfort is all that matters to your father and I. So why are you so against Nova being happy?"

"Because she can be happy with the other men in her life. It should've be Karter all the time." He sighed.

"But it is, and we have to accept that because it's not going to change. Wolves like Nova have something or someone they depend on, and for Nova it's a someone that isn't in her household. I hated that she wanted Karter more than her dada, but when I saw how much love they had for each other, I couldn't bear the thought of keeping them separated because it'd break my heart hearing my little girl cry. It's just something we have to accept and work around because Nova never left her family out ever." Ryan said to him.

"I know. When she lets me apologise I won't annoy her anymore. I'll be kinder to Karter as well. And for reassurance I'll be nice to Alaric as well instead of ignoring him." Kobe stated.

"You'll be a great beta one day." I smiled at my grandson.

"Thanks grandpa." He smiled back.