New Beginnings

There's absolutely no way, no freaking way I could be pregnant. Four weeks had passed, and although I noticed a change in my scent, the idea of pregnancy was the last thing on my mind, even Lexi was surprised. It was just one night of intense passion, a flame that turned its back on me and left me scorched. My eyes scanned the emptiness of an abandoned old house, a place I had found in the woods, my hideout since I ran away. At least, it was a place that wasn't easily traceable. It was just me, the dust, eerie cobwebs, and an uncomfortable bed that made me long for my bunk bed, a constant reminder of my overwhelming loneliness in this silence. What do I even know about raising kids, especially now that their supposed father has rejected me? Or about my safety?

I was confused and lost, my life hadn't been in order or off to a good start, and it seemed to be going in that same direction. 

"You're not alone," Lexi, my wolf reassured me.

Lexi sensed my pain, but sometimes words weren't enough to comfort me. "It's as if the Moon Goddess is conspiring against me," I choked out, feeling my throat tighten and tears welling up. "It's too much to bear," I murmured, my thoughts drifting back to the painful memory of Sebastian's rejection. The floor became my solace as I knelt, letting the tears flow.

I stretched out my hands and felt everywhere hurt, I lay on the bed after crying my eyes out. Instinctively, my hands went down to my still flat stomach and I wondered what it would be like to be a single mother. This realization meant I had to either begin a new life or seek employment. I had to look for a place away from the werewolf territory; this rundown house, with its creepy nighttime sounds, was no better than the alpha packhouse.

Two people have sex and just one person has to face the consequence of a mutual, consensual activity? 

I muttered a curse under my breath aimed at Sebastian, my stomach's growling reminded me that I needed to hurt for a meal, and I couldn't help but feel that this life was nothing like what I had imagined. 

_______

Days turned into weeks, and my belly swelled with the undeniable proof of the love once shared between Sebastian and me. I couldn't risk going to a hospital or reaching out to any humans; silence enveloped the surroundings, broken only by the river's gentle murmur, the rustling breeze, and the sounds of wildlife. Seeking a hospital's care held no benefit, as I would face uncomfortable questions about how an 18-year-old girl had become pregnant. It would also jeopardize my ability to participate in normal antenatal activities, given that a doctor might detect something unusual, which was entirely typical in the werewolf world. I needed to avoid leaving any trace or record that could be traced back to me. 

I sensed the presence of two heartbeats, and a profound sense of joy and warmth washed over me. It all felt incredibly surreal as I gently caressed my stomach, eagerly anticipating the arrival of my two little angels. At 5 months into the pregnancy, things operated quite differently in my world. Their birth was approaching, and I could expect them to arrive as soon as next month. I could even feel their gentle kicks as if they agreed with my thoughts and feelings.

I worked as a mini store assistant and my supervisor had told me to stay off work till I gave birth because according to him, no one wanted a pregnant woman around, and given my tendency to get easily provoked, I decided it was best to comply. People make it seem like pregnancy is some kind of illness, especially these humans oblivious to their surroundings. If I wasn’t trying to protect my babies and live a normal life, I would have taught some of them a lesson.  

I let myself get lost in the daydream of what seemed like the easiest solution of running to Sebastian and screaming in his face, questioning why I was left to face this alone. 

But going back to him would mean risking not only my life but also the lives of our unborn children. 

I'm pretty sure Luna Leah, that cruel thing called his mother, would get to me before I even reached Sebastian.

An unspoken fear and uncertainty lingered in the depths of my heart, wondering what the future held. I knew I would have to work twice as hard, and the children would undoubtedly long for their father's presence. What’s going to happen after that? Even if they’re not here yet, it makes me wonder how long I’d keep lying to them.

“Tomorrow will sort itself out,” I heard my wolf Lexi say. 

She was one of the things that kept me going.

_________

I took a deep breath, as I exited the public bus at the bus stop close to my humble apartment I had rented with every penny I gathered. Today has been particularly demanding; a hasty trip to the nearby store to purchase groceries, specifically for pregnant women, based on something I read on the internet.

Carrying two grocery bags and the weight of two precious beings growing in my tummy, I wearily made my way down the pathway toward my apartment. It was then I noticed the kind elderly woman who resided next door with her family. 

"Good evening, Theresa," I greeted with a small wave. She was donned in a pretty flower dress and a pretty red 

lipstick gave her a different glow. I am sure she was very pretty in her heyday. 

“Good evening, Alina. I hope the babies are kicking nicely?” she greeted with a friendly smile. I responded with a nod and a warm smile. I had a chat with her recently and told her a little about my story, carefully leaving out the part about being a werewolf. 

I dragged my legs lazily to my door and pulled out my keys to open the door. My body felt weak like it needed rest. Immediately I entered, I kicked off my almost worn shoes and went straight for my bed to catch some sleep with a gentle reminder to prepare my dinner later. 

I pushed away every thought of my present suffering, and let the thought of what my twins would look like fill my head, to help me sleep. 

________

“Ahhh!" I screamed as a sharp pain seared my stomach, I held my stomach in fear, hoping nothing bad had happened to my babies, hoping Leah had not gotten to us, and that’s when I felt the bed I lay on soaked and wet. I looked down and saw I was wet and it had a smell. 

“Tonight’s the full moon,” I heard my wolf say, putting two and two together, I deduced that my water just broke and the babies were coming tonight. 

“I’m not ready,” I shouted as another pain sharper than the former hit me, I could feel every part of my body break out in sweat and a nervous tremor started in me. 

“I’ll guide you,” Lexi said. It would have been easier If I was a normal human being, I would have gone straight to the hospital but fear of anyone finding out has me going through it myself. 

My curtain was open and I could see the moon full and its full glory and it seemed to cast its radiant glow on me.

I transformed into my lupine form naturally as it was a crucial part of my birthing process. I felt a different energy course through me, my claws came out ready to scratch anything. 

Images of Sebastian filled me, his dreamy eyes and his build, I suddenly wished he was beside me at the same time I wished he was the one going through this pain. I loved him and hated him all at once. 

“Oh fuck, it hurts!” I growled as the contractions intensified. 

“You need to push,” I heard Lexi say and with every primal strength in me I began to push. With each powerful surge, I could feel something leaving me.

The first came out in a tiny human form, crying immediately and I began to cry from the deepest part of my soul, the same way he did. 

“One more,” Lexi says, I push once and the second one comes out tiny, also crying. 

I transformed back to my human nature, tired, and felt my strength leave me. I sat up with the little energy I had left to lift the two new creatures and I felt my heart kick in a new way, it felt like an immediate connection and bond. For some reason, Luna Leah’s words to kill me filled my head and I held my babies a little tight. “I promise to protect you and take care of both of you.”

I picked up my blanket and gently used it to wrap my babies, from their genitalia, I saw one was a girl and the second one a boy and my heart swelled with love, causing me to gaze at them with joy. 

"They look lovely," Lexi said as I acknowledged with a smile and a touch of tear in my eyes. 

"Have you decided on names yet?" Lexi asked. 

I answered, "Yes, I do," while wearing a weary but content smile, "Colvin and Camille," as I gently kissed them on their tiny foreheads. 

Deep within me, my inner wolf stirred, she embodied the fierce protectiveness and unwavering loyalty of a mother's heart.

I felt renewed strength and motivation to face my fears and protect my new little family. I’ll fight and slay anyone that gets in their way of happiness.