"You weren't quite yourself throughout the whole night." Sarah continued
"I'm sorry about that," she replied, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "It's just..the kids' father is in town," Maggie replied
Maggie then took a deep breath
“Raphael... Raphael is the father of the kids.”
Sarah almost choking on her coffee, coughs
“What?”
“I know it's a shock”. Maggie replied nervously. I should have told you earlier, but I didn't know how to bring it up”.
Sarah couldn't believe what she had just heard. The words echoed in her mind, refusing to sink in.
“How did it happen?” Sarah's voice trembled as she posed the question, desperate for answers. The room fell into a heavy silence, as if time itself had frozen.
Maggie took a deep breath, preparing herself to reveal a chapter of her life she had long kept hidden.
For the next hour, Maggie poured out her heart to Sarah, recounting the life she once lived in the bustling streets of New York City before finding herself in the glitzy realm of Las Vegas. Her voice carried a mixture of nostalgia and vulnerability, as she laid bare the story that had led her to this moment.
She shared anecdotes of late nights spent in dimly lit bars, chasing dreams and succumbing to the allure of the city's vibrant nightlife. Sarah listened intently, her eyes locked on Maggie's every word.
But amidst the thrill and chaos of the city, Maggie's heart had encountered Raphael. She painted a vivid picture of their encounter, describing a fateful evening when their paths crossed in a crowded bar. The attraction was instantaneous, and they found themselves entangled in a whirlwind romance that burned hot and fast.
Maggie's voice wavered as she delved into the depths of her vulnerability, revealing a one-night stand that had left an indelible mark on her soul. That was where everything changed.
Sarah sat in silence, absorbing the weight of Maggie's words before finally speaking
“But why did Raphael suddenly come into the picture?” Maggie asked.
“He’s an alpha”. Maggie said, reminding Sarah.
“He must have heard of the news of my pregnancy back in New York. It’s the reason he came down here looking for me and to be sure the kids were his”. Maggie said with certainty.
"You know you can't keep staying here, he will definitely find you," Sarah said, her eyes darting anxiously around the room. "This place isn't safe anymore. We have to do something. What about we involve the authorities?" Sarah continued her rant.
Maggie sighed, her tired eyes reflecting a mix of fear and determination. "I know, Sarah. But involving the authorities would only make things worse. They might not believe us, or worse, they might tip him off. We have to be careful."
Sarah's brows furrowed in frustration. "But Maggie, this is too dangerous. He's been following you, threatening you. We can't face this alone”.
Maggie shook her head, her voice firm. "I know Sarah but I can't risk it. Besides, I don't think he means any harm. He only wants the kids, which I would never allow him to have. I just need time to figure things out, to keep them safe."
Sarah's eyes widened. "He’s their father but you can't underestimate him Maggie”.
Maggie's gaze hardened, her voice laced with determination. "I know what he's capable of, Sarah. I'll protect my children, no matter what. I won't let him take them away."
Silence hung heavy in the air as Sarah absorbed Maggie's words. The weight of their situation settled upon her shoulders, and she realized the depth of her friend's resolve.
"If that’s what you want to do Maggie," Sarah finally said, her voice softer now. "I'll stand by your side, no matter what. But promise me you'll be careful. We need a plan, some way to stay ahead of him."
Maggie nodded, gratitude shining in her tired eyes. "Thank you, Sarah. We'll find a way. For now, we'll stay hidden, keep moving. I won't let him tear our lives apart."
The room grew quiet once more, as Maggie knew she had to come up with a solution sooner.
Months had slipped away, each day blending into the next. Their shared apartment had become a haven, a sanctuary where the worries of the outside world seemed distant, if only for a little while.
Sarah had spared no effort in making her friends feel safe and secure, ensuring that every corner of their new home exuded warmth and comfort.
In the cozy living room, Maggie sat on the worn-out couch, her eyes fixed on her children as they played. She smiled, cherishing these moments of tranquility that seemed to suspend the harsh reality she faced. Sarah walked in, holding two steaming cups of tea, her face etched with concern.
"Here you go, Maggie," Sarah said gently, handing her the cup. "It's chamomile tea, just like you like it. You need to relax and take care of yourself too."
Maggie accepted the cup with a grateful nod, inhaling the soothing aroma. "Thank you, Sarah. I don't know what I'd do without you. You've made us feel so safe here."
Sarah settled beside Maggie, her expression serious. "You deserve to feel safe, Maggie. You and the kids. But we can't let our guard down. Raphael could still be out there, waiting for an opportunity."
Maggie's smile wavered, her eyes clouded with worry. "I know, Sarah. I'm constantly on edge.
Sarah placed a reassuring hand on Maggie's shoulder.
Maggie sat on a worn out couch just by the corner of Sarah’s sitting room sipping a cup of steaming tea. The living room was bathed in a warm, golden glow from the setting sun. The ticking of the clock on the wall echoed in the silence. It had been three long years since Raphael vanished from their lives, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. No one had heard from him in all that time, and even the rumors that once swirled around their small town had died down to mere whispers.Maggie couldn't help but wonder if he had truly left, never to return.At times, she pondered whether she was finally free from him. Perhaps he had accepted the fact that she would never allow him to take their kids away, or maybe he simply couldn't find them. Whatever the reason, Maggie felt a newfound sense of safety and liberation.As she sat lost in her thoughts, the sound of the front door opening broke the silence. Maggie's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly realized it was only the wind. S
Maggie was shocked by Luke’s question. She didn’t expect that. Unknown to her, Luke had been listening to her conversations with Sarah.“Uhmm…. Why don’t you go unpack your things with your sister” Maggie said hurriedly gesturing Luke to his room, trying to avoid his question.Days went by so fast and six years had passed since Maggie, Luke, and Leah had settled back in their apartment. The passage of time had brought healing, growth, and a renewed sense of hope. Luke and Leah had wasted no time in resuming their education, and today marked another day of school in their lives.Leah burst through the front door, his excitement palpable in the air."Mum, Mum, my teacher told me to give this to you!" She exclaimed, waving a folded letter in his hand.Maggie, sitting on the couch, looked up from her book, curiosity piqued. She took the letter from Leah’s outstretched hand, her brows furrowing as she wondered what it could be. With a sense of anticipation, she carefully opened the envelo
It was Sarah. "Maggie, it's Sarah," her warm voice greeted her. A genuine smile spread across Maggie's face. "Hey, Sarah”. Sarah's tone was lighthearted. " Hey there. I am just calling as usual to check on you and my favourite twins. How are you all doing?" Maggie's heart swelled with affection at the mention of the twins. "We're all good," she replied, her voice tinged with contentment. "The kids are growing up so fast. They've been keeping me on my toes, as always." Sarah let out a soft chuckle. "I can only imagine. They have quite the energy, don't they?" Maggie nodded, even though Sarah couldn't see her. "Oh, you have no idea. “How about you? How have you been faring” Maggie asked. “Pushing as always,” Sarah replied with a little laugh. There was a brief pause on the line before Sarah spoke again. "I miss you guys. And I'll definitely come visit soon. I need my twin fix." Maggie laughed. "We'll be waiting eagerly for you, Sarah. The twins will be thrilled to see their
Maggie, still in awe of Luke's abilities, couldn't help but be curious about what had just transpired. She approached the refrigerator cautiously, her eyes fixed on its metallic surface.She positioned herself in front of the fridge, took a deep breath, and extended her hand towards it.With a surge of effort, Maggie exerted all her strength, trying to mimic what Luke had done. But to her disappointment, the fridge remained firmly in place. She huffed and tried again, this time using both hands. A small groan escaped her lips as she strained, but the refrigerator barely budged, shifting only by an inch.Frustration washed over Maggie as she stepped back, puzzled and slightly deflated. "How did Luke do it?" she wondered aloud, her gaze fixed on the refrigerator.Feeling a mixture of awe and confusion, Maggie began to question the reality of what had just occurred. How could Luke, a fourteen-year-old boy, effortlessly raise the refrigerator with a single hand while she struggled with al
"I don't want you both to get scared or frightened," Maggie said, her eyes focused on them. "I promise, it's alright, and we are all safe."Maggie offered a reassuring smile. "You both are special," she said gently. "In fact, you have unusual abilities".We’re werewolves right? Luke interrupted with a smile. Maggie kept quiet for some seconds then nodded her head admittedly. Luke was definitely smart and seemed to get on board faster than Maggie expected.“When did you know you were a werewolf?" Maggie asked, looking at Luke.Luke gently sat beside Leah."Leah and I began experiencing some strange changes in our sense of smell. Everything became so intense."Maggie leaned forward, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Changes in your sense of smell? What do you mean?""It's hard to explain mum, but we could detect the faintest scents in the air. It was like our senses were heightened beyond what was normal. Luke saidMaggie looked at Leah who was continuously nodding her head in agreement
Jamie was a very popular figure in Luke’s and Leah’s school. Jamie’s family were rich and were one of the most influential people in their school. Leah had told Maggie about how Jamie gets in numerous fights and he gets to school late and hardly ever gets punished. It seemed as though he lived by a different set of rules compared to his peers. His actions often went unchecked, leaving a trail of frustration and resentment in their wake.He was one of those kids who got privileges because of who his father was. Of course it made perfect sense when he said he was a werewolf and no teacher or school authority paid attention as they feared repercussions or backlash from Jamie's influential family. They dare not investigate or report on Jamie to the institution that deals with teens with special abilities. Maggie dropped off Luke and Leah at their school, a sense of determination burning within her. The words of her daughter Leah echoed in her mind—Jamie, the tall and lanky kid with blond
Maggie couldn't wait for 4pm to arrive. The anticipation was agonising as she paced back and forth in her apartment, her eyes glued to the clock on the wall. As the morning turned into afternoon, Maggie's anxiety grew. Her anxiety intensified with every passing moment and the clock on the wall seemed to taunt her, its ticking growing louder and more persistent in her ears. It was nearly 4pm, the designated hour to call Jamie's father, and she couldn't wait any longer. She needed guidance, reassurance, and a plan to keep her children safe.She could hear Luke and Leah conversations in the late hours of the night and how they feel connected to the moon due. Leaning against the wall, Maggie would strain to catch fragments of their discussions. Their voices danced through the air, filled with wonder, excitement, and a yearning she could not fully comprehend. They spoke of the moon's pull, of feeling a deep connection to its presence. Their words mingled with a sense of restlessness, as
As they merged into traffic, silence enveloped the car for a brief moment, the weight of their shared responsibilities settling upon their shoulders. Then, Jamie's father broke the silence, his voice carrying a mix of concern and resolve. "You know you can't afford to underestimate the dangers that lie ahead," he said, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "Your children's safety will always be at stake." Maggie nodded, her eyes reflecting the unwavering determination she felt within. "I understand. But there should be something I can do to help. It’s the reason I came to you”. Jamie's father's grip tightened on the steering wheel as he stared forward as he drove. Maggie leaned back in her seat, her mind reeling with a mixture of hope and trepidation. The possibility of finding a solution, a way to protect their children from their primal nature, filled her with a renewed sense of purpose. In no time, Maggie and Jamie’s father approached a driveway. With the ignition turned off, “Welc
Leah took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening. She nodded, slowly rising from her seat, her eyes briefly meeting the principal's with a mixture of gratitude and sadness. The armed men created a path, their presence a silent reminder of the force they were prepared to employ if necessary.As Leah stepped out of the principal's office, she couldn't help but wonder what awaited her at the Institute. Every step felt like a burden, her head bowed low, weighed down by the overwhelming circumstances as she made her way through the corridor.The murmur of students grew louder. She could sense their curiosity and concern, their eyes following her every move. Among the crowd, her gaze met Jamie's, who was wearing a wide grin.Instantly, a surge of rage coursed through Leah's veins, reminding her of what had conspired between them earlier. Leah raised her head, her eyes filled with a mixture of emotions she couldn’t make sense of. Just as Leah approached the waiting truck, a voice cut thr
Leah's heart raced as she stood frozen in the hallway, her body trembling with fear and disbelief. With a deep breath, Leah willed herself back to her human form, her body morphing and shifting until she stood once again as a teenage girl. She glanced around, hoping that no one had witnessed her transformation, but her hopes were shattered when she noticed the principal's office door slightly ajar.A sense of dread washed over Leah as she realized that the principal must have witnessed the entire scene on the surveillance cameras. Panic gripped her, knowing that she couldn't escape the consequences of her actions. The principal wasted no time, swiftly picking up the phone to contact the institute that specialized in handling individuals with special abilities.“Hello, we have a situation here”. Leah could hear as the principal said on a call while slowly approaching her.His voice was filled with urgency as he relayed the situation, ensuring they would arrive as soon as possible.Leah
Leah felt her patience wearing thin, her werewolf instincts urging her to defend herself. But Luke placed a calming hand on her shoulder, his voice filled with reason. "Jamie, we're not interested in engaging in a pointless feud. We have no desire to prove anything to you or anyone else. It's time to let go of this grudge and find something positive to focus on."With a frustrated huff, Jamie turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Leah and Luke standing in the courtyard.Leah exhaled, relief washing over her. She knew this wouldn’t be this last of him but Luke was right she wasn’t going to let him get to her or so she thought.It was the close of the day in school and Leah and Luke wasted no time in entering the school bus. Leah was a bit excited she could escape the torment of Jamie atleast for some hours before the next day. Luke sat near her and could see his sister completely lost in thought as they made their way home. In no time, they arrived home and Maggie prepared them
Luke and Leah wasted no time in resuming school as they were eager and felt they might have missed a lot. The principal had contacted Maggie to ask for them and their absence from school for weeks but Maggie kept telling him it was for person reasons and that they were both fine.It’s been a month since their thrilling adventure with the Bloodhound pack and nothing unusual had happened except when Luke and Leah needed to transform and connect with they moon, then they head to second home just outside the outskirts of town.Live had taken a turn but it seemed peaceful so far and it felt everything was back to normal.Maggie sat in her cozy living room, sipping a cup of steaming tea, trying to relax after a long day. Julian had kept his distance since their return, and Maggie assumed that things would remain that way. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that she owed him.Just as she was lost in her thoughts she heard the doorbell ring. “On my way” Maggie said in a soft tone as she
“Any rules?” Jamie asked Julian with a smile“What do you think?” Julian replied with a devilish grin on his face.Leah's brows furrowed in confusion, her voice laced with uncertainty. "What kind of face-off? Are we supposed to fight?"Leah was extremely terrified as it showed in her movement with her head turning side to side trying to make sense of what was happening. Leah wasn’t sure she was ready for a face off yet.A smile tugged at Julian's lips as he addressed Leah's concerns. "It is a chance for both of you to push your limits, to test your abilities, and to display your prowess. Let’s see how ready you are.Jamie's excitement grew as he eagerly bounced on his feet, his wolfish grin widening. "Let's do this!"Leah's uncertainty gave way to determination as she nodded in understanding. She steeled herself, ready to take on Jamie who stood excitedly before her. With a nod of approval, Julian motioned for Leah and Jamie to take their positions. The pack formed a circle around th
As the moon emerged from behind a veil of clouds, casting its enchanting radiance upon the land. Among the pack, Leah, could feel the familiar surge of energy coursing through her veins.Leah stood at the edge of the clearing, her heart pounding with anticipation. She knew the time had come again but this time, she was prepared to embrace her true nature, to shed the confines of her human form and embrace the power of the werewolf within. Her hazel eyes locked onto the moon, its light calling to her primal instincts.Around her, the other members of the Bloodhound Pack had gathered, ready to undergo the transformative dance with the moon. Among them was Jamie. It’s obvious he had done this a number of times. Leah could tell. For some reason, Jamie's presence offered her comfort and reassurance in this pivotal moment.As the moonlight intensified, a symphony of howls echoed through the night, signalling the initiation of the transformation. The pack members, one by one, began their met
Julian stood tall and imposing in front of Maggie, his voice laced with a determined resolve. The atmosphere heavy with tension, Julian's eyes locked onto Maggie's, as he delivered his ultimatum."Your journey ends here," Julian declared firmly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "You will have to leave the kids with us for some weeks."Maggie knew she had to tread carefully. "How many weeks?" she managed to ask, her voice quivering with apprehension.Julian's lips curled into a slight smile, "It depends on how fast they learn," he replied, his voice dripping with a mixture of arrogance and superiority. "Their progress will determine their time apart from you."Maggie struggled to conceal her anxiety. Her mind raced with worries about her children's well-being. She mustered the courage to voice her concerns, her voice tinged with desperation. "So how do I know they are safe?" she asked, her eyes searching Julian's face for any signs of reassurance.Julian's expression remained
It was Jamie.“Good afternoon,” Maggie replied.“Come in” Jamie said like he was expecting them. He had a quick glance at Luke and Leah and gave out a smile.George sat on a comfortable couch in the living room, his eyes glancing at Maggie and the twins as they stepped in. "Oh, right on time." he said enthusiastically.Maggie immediately noticed the presence of two unfamiliar individuals—a man and a woman—who stood at the centre of the room. Their unique demeanour set them apart from regular visitors."Hello, George," Maggie greeted warmly. George, flashed a warm smile in response."Have a seat," George said, gesturing towards a plush cushioned chair positioned across from him. Maggie directed Luke and Leah to settle on the empty space beside her, their legs barely reaching the edge of the seat. Jamie, George's son, stood dutifully behind his father, observing the unfolding scene with keen interest.Maggie lowered herself onto the cushion, her twins nestled on either side of her. She
Maggie knew something had to be done before it got out of control. She wasted no time in contacting George the next morning. Maggie's heart raced as she held the phone tightly, her fingers trembling slightly. The morning sunlight streamed through her window, casting a warm glow on her anxious face. She took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts before speaking. The phone rang only once before George picked up, his voice breaking the silence. "Hello, George," Maggie said, her voice filled with a mix of relief and anticipation. She couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for disturbing him so early in the morning. "I know who this is," George replied with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Good morning," he continued, his tone warm and inviting. "Good morning," Maggie responded, her words slightly hurried as she held her forehead, realizing she had forgotten to greet him properly. "Forgive my manners," she quickly added, her voice filled with genuine regret. "It's alright," George