Three babies were sleeping in matching bassinets. Their little tufts of dark hair plastered to their heads.
"How old are they?" I whispered smiling at them.
"Two weeks."
Instinctively I rubbed my baby bump. Upon further inspection I noticed they were in white and their bassinets weren't labeled with…well…anything.
"What are their names?" I asked softly.
"Their mother died giving birth and their father has been grieving the loss of his mate." Dono said morosely.
I nodded in understanding. "Who are the parents?"
"Carmen and Ignis."
My mouth dropped open in shock. A human carried three wolf pups to full term? That's never been heard of before.
"Aqua, check in on Ignis. He'll need our support now more than ever." I didn't even known they were expecting. "Okay, so what abilities have you noticed?"
"Well," she picked up the first baby and it stirred in her arms a little. "This guy does something with ice. When I was drinking my iced coffee yesterday the top burst open. I watched as the ice floated above his crib as he moved his arms and legs."
"Ice?" I asked to clarify.
She nodded and handed him over to me. The baby clutched my swollen breast in his sleep. The action made me ready for our little one to arrive.
"This one," she picked up the second baby, "Does something with water vapor."
"Elaborate?" I said setting the first baby down.
"He used the steam from my teapot to melt the ice I'd given the first child to play with. The first one cried when the water splattered all over him."
I chuckled. Of course Ignis' babies would be cheeky like him.
"And this little guy?" I picked up the final baby and their eyes snapped open. Beautiful purple eyes met my green.
"That's actually the only girl." Dono smiled placing the second baby back. Both boys still sound asleep. "During bath time she manipulated the water."
"How so?" I asked as the baby eyed me curiously.
"She could lift it into the air in little orbs. It was pretty cool." Dono smiled down at her.
"You're pretty special, little one." I cooed to her and her eyes drooped. "Sleep now, I'll see you again soon."
I placed the third down gently and smiled at Dono.
"Who else knows about this?"
"No one." Dono said quickly. "I came to you straight away."
"Thank you. Let's keep this between us for now. Please provide them the best care while Ignis is dealing with his trauma."
She nodded, "Yes Alpha."
I took my time walking back to the pack house. When was the last time I just paused to notice the word around me. The leaves are already changing colors on the trees. Vibrate reds, oranges, and yellows scattered throughout our lands. Before I could contemplate life further, I heard someone approaching.
"Aqua?" Her face was disheveled as though she'd been running a marathon. "What is it?"
"Ignis isn't here. I followed his trail north until I reached a river. I lost it along the bank." She was sucking wind to explain. "He left a note for you."
Out of Aqua's back pocket came an envelope with his family seal.
I'LL BE BACK TO CLAIM WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE. WHEN YOUR WOMB IS EMPTY, I'LL FILL YOU TO THE BRIM WITH MY SEED. UNTIL THEN MY QUEEN.
I dropped the paper as though it burned me. Before I could explain to Aqua, I doubled over and vomited spectacularly.
"Geez Gin, are you okay?" Aqua soothingly rubbed my back.
I nodded but felt my strength waning.
"What did the note say?" She asked while scooping to pick it up.
"Please destroy it." I whisper heading back toward the house. "Ignis has gone rogue."
Aqua gasped at my statement. I could hear her tearing the note into shreds and scattering the pieces as we walked in silence.
My head throbbed as I made my way to the bedroom. When I laid down, Praesul called my name but I couldn't hear her clearly. It was like I was underwater and she was far away.
"Regina? Wake up!" I could hear Indicum's voice above everything else.
Suddenly all the sound came back and it was on full blast. I tried to cover my ears but arms held me down.
"Oh thank the goddess, she's coming around." Indicum said as he stroked my hair.
"What's happened?"
"You fainted and thankfully Praesul reached me before you both were out for the count. I was on my way home anyway. I found Casia. She's in the dungeon and only wants to talk to you."
The beeping of machines whirled around us as a nurse checked my vitals.
"Alpha, she's okay." A nurse nodded to Indicum. "The baby too. She needs rest and food."
Right on cue my stomach growled.
"I leave you for a week and you stop taking care of yourself and our baby." Indicum growls playfully, rubbing my swollen stomach.
"We've been fine. I just forgot to eat today. A lot has…transpired?" Ever since I got pregnant my mind was mush. Another reason I thought I was having a girl. Carrying Augur I wasn't nearly this forgetful.
"Fill me in over dinner." He says gesturing to someone behind him.
Aqua opens the door and brings in fast food. She knows my cravings better than anyone.
"Thank you!" I smile at them both. It feels once again like the calm before the storm.
"Anything for my girls." Aqua smiles at me. "I'll leave you to have at it."
Indicum sits gently on the bed with me and starts to unpack the food.
"So, what's happened in my absence?"
Although things were difficult in the beginning, I felt like Indicum and I are in a good place. We have grown to know one another. I think he'll make an amazing father.
He loves me without hesitation and I couldn't ask for a better partner. Then why does my heart literally ache and think of Rex every time we're together? Confusion swirls in my mind as I relay the information to Indy. Leaving out the part about Ignis' note. I did say he went rogue and left his three children behind.
"They're in the children's ward at the hospital and they're…gifted."
Indy looked at me curiously. "Elaborate." He said with his mouth full.
"Well, there's a lot I've got to tell you. Starting with a prophesy, elementals, and why we were attacked for Niveus." What possessed me to finally fill him in on the details was beyond me. My only hope was that he was willing to help even with my few lies of omission.