Chapter 1

Kyra-

“Have patience.” Caleb said for the millionth time since Hunter left with my father almost six months ago.

“We haven’t heard anything since they left. What if something has happened?” I paced Caleb’s office, wringing my hands together.

“If something happened, I am sure we would have received word.” Caleb stood and walked around his desk, stopping me in my tracks. “Right now, you need to calm down. It isn’t good for either baby.”

My shoulders slumped as my hands moved to my stomach. It was almost twice the size it had been when I carried the twins, Kalen and Ryleigh. I still couldn’t believe I was carrying a both Hunter and Caleb’s child. I also can’t believe that it hasn’t even been a year since I lost Hunter.

Now that he was back, I wished I had been able to spend more time with him. Not even three days after his return, he left again. Any day I would be giving birth, and my only wish was he could be here.

In the days after the attack, Artemis was behind, I barely had a chance to talk to him. I thought things would be fine, but that hadn’t been the case. It wasn’t Artemis we had to worry about; it was Hunter.

He revealed everything that happened when he was in Purgatory, at least what he could remember. The biggest surprise was that he had been made into a God Killer by Artemis and someone named Talon. Hunter said that Talon had taken away the powers that he had received, but it had only been temporary.

The second day after Hunter’s return, Hunter became unstable and nearly killed me to get to Caleb. We contained him after that, but he continued to have outbursts. Both Hunter and my father agreed it was better for Hunter to leave.

Granted, my father had the powers of a God, but he wasn’t a God. He was likely the only one who could handle Hunter without getting killed in the process. Aside from that, Hunter wanted to try to regain his memories. Zues was guiding my father in helping him since Zues’s daughter had made Hunter into what he was.

I knew it wasn’t wrong that Hunter was away as he figured things out, but I was starting to think that Hunter’s return had been a figment of my imagination. I still couldn’t wrap my head around Hunter being alive. If only I could receive word from Hunter or my father, I wouldn’t be as anxious as I am.

“Are you sure you want to send your child to live with my mother after he is born?” I asked Caleb as I tried to focus on a different situation.

“When we sent Max to stay with her, we agreed it was the best scenario. Even if Selene is in the same Realm as Artemis, it is the safest place for the children. We know Zeus had locked Artemis up, but we don’t know for how long or if she is already out. When the children are born, they might be in danger if Artemis tries something again.” Caleb pulled me toward him, wrapping his arms around me.

“I just wish we knew something. I feel like we have been in limbo these last six months, waiting for news. Things seem safe and going well right now, but for how long?” I whispered against his chest.

“Rex is here, and we have a strong army to deal with surprises. Zac is looking for clues and tracking any magical leads he can find. He is also working on a way to suppress Hunter’s powers in case Hunter can’t control himself around me. Alec is likely out searching for clues as well.”

I didn’t even want to talk about Alec right now. The day Hunter left, Alec disappeared without a word. Three months ago, he returned but won’t tell anyone what he is up to and doesn’t stay for long. The only thing he does is come to eat or sleep. It isn’t very often, but he will either be caught stealing food in the kitchen or appear at the dinner table when we eat.

Although I have never caught him, I am sure he is coming and going out of the bedroom we set up for him after we moved. The maids have mentioned that occasionally when they go in the room to dust, they see the bed is a mess, the bathroom looks as if it has been used, and dirty clothes are in the hamper.

When Alec did get caught at the house, he never said much. Whenever I try to ask him something, he becomes moody and quiet before changing the subject as if nothing happened. As much as I loved my brother, it annoyed me that he wouldn’t tell me what was happening with him. The last time he did this was before Caleb returned, but I found out it was because he was helping Caleb.

“Next time I see him, I am going to wring his neck.” I muttered.

“I am sure that when he is ready, he will tell us something. I think he is doing what he can to help with things, but he probably isn’t happy he isn’t getting anything.” Caleb chuckled as he rubbed my back.

“You keep defending him, and I will wring your neck.” I swatted Caleb’s side, but it was more of a light tap.

I knew that after Alec helped Caleb during the time Caleb had gone missing, they developed a strong bond. Alec was more like Caleb’s brother than mine. With a sigh, I pulled myself out of Caleb’s hold to sit on the recliner in Caleb's office set up for me. I don’t remember being this miserable and my ankles hurting this much during my last pregnancy.

“Have you heard from Tristan lately?” Caleb asked as he moved to his desk and leaned against the edge.

“We talked a bit yesterday.” I said as I pulled the lever on the side of the chair to elevate my feet.

Tristan left around the same time as Alec, but at least Tristan kept in touch and told me everything. I haven’t seen him since he left, but he calls daily or at least a few times a week. Sometimes, we don’t talk about what he is up to; we just talk about random things.

Considering how close we had become, it was weird not having all my brothers around. Rex was the only one who stayed by my side, and I can still remember when we first met. He hadn't liked me and intended to kill me because he believed I had taken away his mother’s love when I was born. Now, he and I were the closest of my brothers, and he was extremely protective of me.

“Did he have anything to report?” Caleb asked as he picked up his coffee mug from the desk.

“Not really. We mainly talked about Kalen. He ran into Kalen the day before yesterday and wanted to let me know that Kalen was doing well."

As for Kalen, he now traveled the world. With his gift as a healer, he wanted to help different Packs instead of sticking with one. Since everyone now knew that Artemis was intent on killing my mother and we were likely going to war with a Goddess, everyone called a truce.

We no longer had wars amongst other Packs to fight over territory or disagreements. Now, everyone was doing their best to hold things together. Although Artemis was locked up, her minions have been attacking werewolves. At least, we thought they belonged to Artemis, but we couldn’t be sure either.

Whenever an attack occurs, my brothers and Caleb take turns lending help. Kalen goes in behind them after things settle to help heal the injured. At first, I wished he would have stayed with me, but after seeing how happy he was helping others, I realized I couldn’t be selfish. He spent a few human lifetimes with me, but now he needed to see the world. While he was out, I hoped he would come across his mate.

As for Ryleigh, she lived with my mother and helped take care of Max. Her sketches improved when she predicted the future, but she still couldn’t decipher them. She was working with another Seer to enhance her gift and to help her translate her drawings.

Unlike Kalen, who I haven’t seen except once during these last six months, Ryleigh comes home at least once a month to paint with me. It is the only time we can spend quality time together, but we don’t talk much. She tells me if I need to know anything, but most of the time, we paint in silence and bond.

“Have you reminded everyone you are nearing the end of her pregnancy term?” Caleb asked.