Comfort in Arms

[Ford]

I cleaned up the kitchen and loaded the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. I knew Aria would be up, it was time to feed Yvonna. She would usually talk with me while she fed the baby. It was nice. Our relationship had gotten a lot stronger in the last couple months. I’d even been there when the baby was born a few weeks ago.

I headed upstairs to the nursery. Aria was in the rocking chair with Yvonna happily suckling at her breast. Some part of me wished it was Madison. I was already in love with the baby girl as if she were mine.

“I’d hoped you’d actually gotten to sleep tonight.” Aria sighed.

“I did for a while. But, I can’t get more than a couple hours without the nightmares wakin’ me up. Met the new girl.” I smiled as I sat in the recliner next to them.

“New girl?” Aria asked. 

“Yeah. A concubus. She’s been out doin’ recon for a couple months.” I replied.

“If she’s back, then she must have some good information. When do you think we’ll be able to debrief her?”

“She just went to bed. I was thinkin’ after lunch. You should’ve seen the sandwiches she made. She eats like a werewolf.” I snorted.

Aria chuckled as she burped the baby and switched her to the other breast. She looked thoughtful and a little happy. I knew it was because everyone was worried. I’d had more trouble sleeping and couldn’t stomach food sometimes. The sadness from losing Madison was intense.

The depression that comes with losing a mate would appear in one of two ways. It would be like Rao’s had been. Coming and going as a reaction to certain types of situations.

Or it could be like mine, constant. The constant one was deadlier. I was trying as hard as I could. The closest to happy I was, was in these times with Aria and Yvonna.

“You should feed the new girl, Ford. As a reward for her hard work. You’re powerful and your energy is very tasty. She can’t feed on Anders much, and Drayce seems to only be attracted to Poppy or women who look like her.” Aria said.

“This girl’s the opposite of Poppy. She’s a little shorter than you, blonde, chubby. She looks as innocent and sweet as Madison did, but in a different way.” I stared at the corner of the room, remembering our mate. “You might have a point. It’s another week until you’re able to feed anyone. How are you doin’ with that? Moran had to feed last night, didn’t he?”

“Yeah. He came home smelling like one of those women. The plus side about them joining us, is that they’re eager to feed the demons, but I hate when he smells like them. I wish Rao wasn’t as possessive, I’d rather he fed on my sister.” She growled a little.

“I’ll feed her if she shares the energy with Moran. Sound good? Then, he’ll just smell human.” I suggested.

“That would be wonderful.” Aria grinned.

Yvonna unlatched and Aria burped her again. The baby cooed a little and I came to take her so Aria could get up. She was so tiny in my arms. Such a perfect little girl.

It felt like I was about to give up until she came. I pushed harder to live after I held her the first time. I wanted to see the little girl grow up, keep her safe, protect her, and make sure she found a good mate.

Aria straightened up the crib and I laid Yvonna down. She was asleep within moments. It was a relief that she slept so well, with so many shifters in the house, no one would’ve been sleeping. I patted Aria on the head and went back downstairs.

-

It was about five-thirty. I knew Serena would be up at seven to start making breakfast for the house. Training started at nine.

Everyone went to training. Even the leaders. We would be at the head of the battle.

Aria wasn’t able to participate right now, but she watched and cheered people on. The children trained as a part of their schooling, gym class had been switched for fighting practice. None of them would be in the battle, it was about being prepared for anything.

Some supernaturals were teachers, before they left their lives. They put together a curriculum for teaching the kids. The goal was to make sure they wouldn’t fall behind the humans while they were away.

In addition to human subjects, they were taught the history of all supernaturals. Science for some of the older kids included sex-ed by species and supernatural biology. They would get the training Alphas went away for. It would ensure they understood their neighbors in every way.

I was proud of the community we built. I was hopeful the coming fight would be successful and we wouldn’t lose too many. They trusted us to train them and lead them right. I wanted to keep that trust.

This wasn’t all the supernaturals in the state. Some knew they had little to nothing to contribute and stayed hidden, often working with the SNFA. Others just didn’t like the idea of leaving everything for the chance they might win.

The humans had left this to be a supernatural issue, for the most part. All of the supernaturals had been pardoned for their crimes, even my Helvegr. It was the least the human government felt they could do. The resistance was fine with this. Some humans had joined us, but we didn’t need human tools to fight.

I had only one goal. Killing the vampire. I didn’t really care about killing anyone else. The vampire had taken my mate and my family. I would make sure I lived long enough to tear that bloodsucker into pieces.

***

When I reached the main floor, I felt empty. My apartment just reminded me of being alone. I thought of going for a run, but last time I’d gone near dawn I accidentally ended up in the in-between and been lost for three weeks. It was only two hours of real time, but I didn’t want to experience that again.

I walked down the opposite hall and listened to everyone sleeping. If nothing else, I knew everyone was safe. Madison might not be walking around the property anymore, but I was more than happy to take over.

There was a whimper coming from Reggie’s room. I peeked in the door. She was curled up under the blankets, crying softly. I didn’t think she was awake. Reggie didn’t seem to be the type to cry where others might hear. Conric didn’t like hearing her cry.

‘Let me take over and soothe the girl. It’s the least we can do after she’s been working hard to help us avenge our mate.’ He insisted.

‘Sure. I gotta wonder what she went through in the last few years. The fear she must’ve had of bein’ found… I can’t imagine it was easy on her own.’ I replied.

‘She’ll be part of our pack now. She never has to be alone again. We’ll help her find her mates and be happy. Like our mate should’ve been.’

‘What do you think of Aria’s suggestion that we feed this one?’ I asked him.

‘She’s not really our type, but Aria’s right. We should reward her for her service. We can manage a feeding or two. Especially, if it can help our friends.’

I entered the room and closed the door quietly. After I stripped off my clothes, I shifted into my full wolf form. Carefully, Conric climbed onto the bed and laid down next to Reggie.

She moved a little and her hand brushed my fur. Reggie scooted closer and cuddled into my fur. She took a deep, stuttering breath and murmured something before falling into a deeper sleep.

‘Did you catch that?’ Conric asked.

‘Sounded like ‘home’. She’s so warm.’

‘And soft. It feels nice.’

We drifted to sleep in her arms. Our sleep was deep and dreamless. Nothing tried to kill us, tried to show us the deaths we couldn’t prevent, tried to make us see the deaths that could still happen. It was the most restful sleep we’d had in months.