Tyler looked at me with a mixture of concern and determination. "So, what do you want to do about Mary?"I blinked in surprise. "What do you mean? Like, do you mean kill her?!" The shock in my voice was evident.Tyler chuckled, but Ryder's face remained serious. "I would if I could," he muttered darkly.Tyler shook his head, still smiling. "No, that punishment wouldn’t fit the crime. But we could maybe makean example of her at the Luna Eclipse Celebration."I bit my lip, feeling uncomfortable with the idea. "I don't know, Tyler. Public humiliation feels a little harsh, even if what she did was wrong."Tyler nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. There should be some repercussion, though.""Let me think about it a bit. Then we can talk again," I suggested, still unsure of what the right course of action would be.Tyler hesitated before making another suggestion. "Now, listen, I know you're not sold on the Luna thing, but if you started Luna training, it would probably also help to solidi
Aunt Mara could probably see that I was, or at least had been, having a bit of an internal struggle. She stood up and walked over to me, wrapping me in a big hug. "You're a big girl, Kate. You need to take control of your own life now. All I want is for you to be happy."I hugged her tightly, feeling a mixture of emotions. Relief, excitement, and a touch of sadness at the thought of leaving her and the home I'd grown so comfortable in."I'll miss you," I whispered.She pulled back and looked at me with an encouraging smile. "I'll miss you too, hun, but this is a good step for you. You're starting a new chapter in your life. I'm proud of you."We spent the rest of the evening chatting aimlessly and I told her all about the setup at the twin's house and how I would have my own room. She agreed that that was probably a good idea due to our unique circumstances.She went on to share stories from her own past, offering wisdom and advice that made me feel more supported in my decision, and
When we arrived at the Valentine house, Ryder carried my suitcase in, while Tyler helped me out of the car. As we walked into the home I realized that my heart was thumping furiously in my chest and the hand that Tyler wasn't holding was trembling ever so slightly. I was clearly nervous, but I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself.Everything would be fine. This was a fresh beginning with my mates and so long as I had them, I would be fine.The smell of flowers hit me as soon as I entered my new room and I saw a vase of beautiful fresh flowers on the dresser opposite the bed. They were a mixture of vibrant colors that instantly perked me up."Well, I guess welcome to your new home," Tyler said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze as we loitered in the entryway.I saw Ryder had placed my suitcase on the bed and he returned now from the en suite bathroom, declaring that I should have everything I need."But if there's anything else you need, just let us know, okay? We want you to be
The evening passed by in a blur of exhaustion. After dinner, I volunteered to clear the dishes, seeing as the twins had cooked.It was easygoing because all I really had to do was pack the dishwasher, and I was grateful because I was absolutely exhausted.After I had loaded the last plate away, I turned to the boys and told them, "I think I'm going to head to bed. Sorry guys, it's been a crazy day and I'm really tired."Both Tyler and Ryder looked disappointed."You don't want to just chill and watch a movie with us?" Tyler asked hopefully.I shook my head as I stifled a yawn. "Any other day I would have said yes, but right now I really just want to get into bed. I'm sorry.""I suppose it has been a pretty crazy day for you. We can do movies another night," Tyler suggested with a reassuring smile before Ryder grabbed me by the wrist and yanked me towards him."See you in the morning," he murmured before kissing me goodnight. Nothing too raunchy, thank God.No doubt he just wanted to b
I took a deep breath and began, "Harlan, the Alpha's son at my previous pack, hit me, so I hit him back," I explained, trying to keep my tone measured as the memories of the incident began to stir up anger and resentment inside me. "Obviously that's an offense," I went on, "and the punishment would usually be death or exile, but I wasn't 18 yet, and fortunately a few people stood up for me and told them I was provoked. So I got lucky and no punishment was ordered."Tyler was still glaring at me, waiting for me to go on."My family is quite prominent in the pack because my father is the Beta, so, of course, they were horrified and appalled by my actions. They didn't care why I did it, only that I had done it. I got the whole, 'You're no child of ours' speech and got to hear how disappointed they were in me after all that they had done for me. So, needless to say, as far as they were concerned, when I turned 18 I was no longer their problem, they wanted me out," I went on to explain, fe
Tyler looked at me intently, his eyes searching mine for any signs of hesitation or dishonesty. "Is there anything else you want to tell me, Kate?" he asked, his tone serious.I shook my head. "No, that's it," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.He frowned slightly. "Are you sure? We can't have secrets between us.""I promise, Tyler. There's nothing else," I assured him, feeling guilty. I hated keeping things from him, but there truly was nothing left to reveal.Tyler sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I need to think about this a little more. We need to come up with a solution before this becomes an even bigger problem."I felt a lump form in my throat. "I'm really sorry, Tyler. I didn't mean for it to blow up like this. I honestly thought no one here would ever find out."He stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. "It'll be okay. We'll figure it out," he murmured as he kissed the top of my head.I nodded against his chest, taking comfort in his arms.After a moment,
Tyler and I remained in the clearing a while longer, silence settling over us as we each got lost in our own thoughts. The sun was still high above our heads as a refreshing breeze swept through the trees, allowing the leaves to whisper to me as they always seemed to do.“Tyler?" I finally murmured hesitantly. "What if... What happens if we can’t convince the pack? What if we do everything we can possibly think of, but they still reject me?”The question gnawed at me as I considered what my future might look like if that were the case. I would have nowhere to go...Tyler was quiet for a moment, his eyes distant as he considered the question. Then he turned to me, his gaze steady and unwavering. “Well, obviously, I hope that won't happen. But if it does, I guess I'll have to renounce my position as Alpha.”I shook my head as I frowned. “But then what will happen to the pack? Your father can't be Alpha forever. And Ryder has alrea—”Tyler cut me off, “That won't be our problem. Someone
The world around us seemed to fade away as we lay there, the forest a private sanctuary for our love. Tyler's touch was gentle and reassuring, his kisses slow and tender. The anxiety and fear that had gripped me earlier was gone from my mind, replaced only by Tyler and the connection we shared.As our kisses deepened, Tyler's hands moved with gentle care, exploring my body with a reverence that made me feel important... appreciated... loved. My own hands followed suit, tracing the lines of his muscles, committing every detail of his body to my memory.The forest floor was soft beneath us, the scent of the rich earth and the fallen leaves and pine needles filling my lungs with each breath I took."Are you sure?" Tyler whispered, his breath warm against my ear. "There's no rush."I nodded, my heart filled with love and affection for him. "I'm sure," I replied softly. "I want this. I want you."His eyes searched mine, looking for any hint of uncertainty. When he found none, he kissed me
(Katelyn's POV)"You're okay," Tyler whispered over and over again, but I wasn't sure whether he was talking to me or to himself.“What the fuck was that, Kate?!” Ryder's voice demanded.I shook my head, against Tyler's chest, still trying to come to terms with where I was and what was going on here."I... I just..." I tried to reply, but my voice was weak and hoarse.Tyler kissed the top of my head, his own breathing uneven as he gently stroked my hair, still holding me against him in a death grip. "Sshhh... Sshhh..." he hushed me, shaking his head as he rocked me back and forth."Never again. Never a-fucking-gain. Okay? You're never doing that again, Katelyn," Ryder's voice was sharp and firm, leaving no room for argument or debate. "Never again..." he repeated, sounding more exhausted now.It took a few minutes for me to regain my bearings as Tyler continued to whisper soft reassurances in my ear, rocking me back and forth against his chest like a child.I heard the sound of footst
(Katelyn's POV)The airplane’s engines droned softly as I stared out the window, the world below reduced to quilted patches of green and brown earth divided by winding roads.New Haven, Connecticut... The Council Headquarters. We were still a few hours away, but the gravity of what awaited me felt like a noose around my neck.I adjusted my seatbelt for what felt like the hundredth time and closed my eyes, leaning back into my seat and letting my thoughts drift back over the last two days at home. The two days I’d spent trying, and failing, to harness my telekinesis. The two days that had left me feeling more exhausted, more frustrated, and more anxious than before.I’d wanted so badly to figure it all out before I faced The Council. I’d tried everything I could think of. At first, I tried to recreate the conditions of those emotional surges, thinking maybe I could trick my mind into somehow flipping that internal switch. I thought about arguments. About fear. About sadness. But nothin
(Katelyn's POV)The next day started off like any other, but with the new weight and responsibility of pregnancy pressing down on me. I'd made a call to Dr Connors's offices to try and get a better idea of how far along I was and we managed to gauge that I was about three weeks in. She said they would be able to confirm by checking measurements and all that stuff at my first scan, but for now, I was three weeks in. Three out of forty. It somehow felt like too much and not enough at the same time.Shortly after the call, Alpha David's voice called from upstairs. My blood went cold and the twins and I exchanged worried glances."Jesus, do you think he overheard that?" I asked, feeling like a deer caught in the headlights.Tyler shook his head. "I doubt it..." but still, he looked as concerned as I felt.The fact that David had bothered to call us upstairs personally, rather than sending Tyler a message like he usually did, didn’t escape me. This time, he’d taken the effort to personally
(Katelyn's POV)Ryder's hand lingered on my stomach for a moment, but then he sighed and dropped it."So... What do we do now? I mean, I guess this thing is happening. Do we have to start picking names and shit?" he asked, his eyes filled with fear and uncertainty.I shook my head. "I don't really know. Can't say this has ever happened to me before. I don't even know how far along I am... I kinda freaked out and left the doctor's office before she got to tell me..." I admitted."Well, you should probably find out," Tyler suggested, slipping his hand into mine and giving it a squeeze. "A timeline might be helpful here."I shrugged. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I'll try get hold of the doctor's office tomorrow to see if she can give me more details. She said something about an OBGYN. I think she gave me a referral or something. Maybe Jen knows more of the details. My brain was all over the place," I explained, feeling a little stupid for not paying more attention to something so fucking
(Katelyn's POV)Ryder fell into silence, not finishing his thought as his jaw tightened and his hands balled into fists.Tyler’s hand rested reassuringly on mine, his presence a steadying force, but Ryder’s tense silence was killing me. He looked like a caged animal, his eyes filled with fear and uncertainty.“I…” Ryder started, but his voice faltered. He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as frustration flashed across his face. “How am I supposed to do this?!” he suddenly blurted, his voice sharp and rising with each word. “For fuck’s sake! I’ve just agreed to take on the role of Alpha! Now I need to play dad too?! When is it going to stop?! When is it going to be enough?!”He stood up again and began pacing, his movements erratic and tense. “I can’t! I can’t do all of this at the same time! It’s too much! How the fuck am I supposed to deal with this?!”His words hit me like a slap, leaving me momentarily stunned. The fear and uncertainty I had been feeling all day were
(Katelyn's POV)The drive home had felt too short. Jenna and I had spent lunch talking in circles, and I knew she was just trying to distract me, to lighten the load, but there was no amount of banter or brainstorming that could make this easier.When she’d suggested checking out some stores for the twins’ birthday gifts, I’d briefly considered it, but ultimately, I'd ended up saying no. I was way too distracted to focus and it felt like it would be a total waste of time. So, instead, she called the Uber, and we headed home.The drive was quiet, my thoughts too loud to leave room for conversation. All I could think about the entire way was what I was going to say, rehearsing it in my mind and trying to come up with the right words, but I guess there are only so many ways you can say, 'I'm pregnant', right?When the Uber pulled up outside the house, Jenna gave me a tight hug. “You’ll be fine,” she murmured, her hands gripping my shoulders as she looked me in the eye. “You’re going to t
(Katelyn's POV)"You can tell them the truth, babe," Jenna said with a reassuring smile. "I mean, that's what I'd recommend.""What if... What if I can't do this? What if... What if I don't want this life?" I whispered softly, ashamed to be saying the words out loud.Jenna squeezed my hand. "Well, that's something you need to think about. It's not a decision to make on a whim. But if that's what you decide, I'll be there for you every step of the way. I'll hold your hand in the appointment and tell you that everything is going to be okay. I would never let you do this on your own, okay? Never," she assured me, looking into my eyes with a fierceness that told me she wasn't kidding."Do you want to think it over for a while before you talk to the twins about it?" she suggested, her hand still clutching mine across the table.I shook my head. "No. I can't keep this from them. Even if I wanted to, I know I wouldn't be able to.""Babe, I'm sure they're going to be super supportive," she ins
(Katelyn's POV)The words echoed in my ears, bouncing around my skull but refusing to settle into anything coherent.“No,” I whispered, shaking my head as tears began to well up in my eyes. “I can't... That can't... This wasn’t...” but the words evaporated into thin air as I tried to reason this out.Dr Connors watched me carefully. “I know this might be a lot to take in,” she said, keeping her tone professional but supportive. “But you have options, Katelyn. You don’t need to make any decisions right now. Perhaps you should just take some time to process this.”“Options?” I repeated numbly, the word tasting foreign on my tongue.Her meaning was clear, but I couldn’t focus on it. I couldn’t focus on anything. The tears spilled over, sliding down my cheeks as my chest heaved with quiet sobs.Jenna was at my side instantly, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. “It’s okay, babe,” she murmured. “We’ll figure this out, okay? You’re not alone in this. I'm here with you.”I couldn’t even bri
(Katelyn's POV)The silence in the room was unbearable as Dr. Connors studied the test. My heart pounded, each beat feeling sharper than the last and I could feel sweat beginning to pool at the base of my spine.“It’s positive,” Dr. Connors said, looking down at the test on the desk in front of her.My stomach flipped violently. “What?!” I blurted, my voice echoing in the hollow room.“It’s positive,” she repeated, looking at me with a measured expression.I blinked at her, my mind scrambling to process the information. “No, no, no,” I stammered, shaking my head furiously. “That can’t be right. How many stripes should it have?" I demanded to know, certain that she must be mistaken."One stripe is negative, two is positive," she explained, pushing the test toward me for verification."Well then you're wrong, when I—" The words died on my lips as I looked down at the test in front of me. Two stripes. One was faint, but very clearly a stripe.My mouth went dry, my lungs forgot how to wo