18. Rhys

The sun shone brightly in the clear blue sky as Kian and I arrived at the playground that my dad and brothers had built last year for the kids. And I finally had kids of my own to bring over. Soon I would have two.

If you don’t lose it all! That damn voice was back again.

The warm spring day was perfect for a play date. Our arms were laden with baby bags, toys, and a picnic blanket, ready to spend the afternoon with our little ones. Kian had his hands full with his twin boys, Beau and Rhett, and little Isla.

I loved seeing Emilia with her cousins. Beau and Rhett, who were now two, had grown into lively toddlers, their endless energy infectious. As soon as we laid out the blanket, they were off, toddling around and laughing with glee. The sight brought a smile to my face as I set Emilia down on the blanket beside Isla.

Isla, who was a month younger than Emilia, seemed just as fascinated by the world around her. At six and seven months old, the two babies couldn’t do much beyond rolling over and reaching for toys, but they seemed to enjoy each other’s company, nonetheless. Their tiny hands reached out, grasping at the soft toys we had scattered around them, babbling in their baby language.

Kian settled down beside me, stretching his legs out on the blanket. “It’s so good to get them together like this,” he said, watching the kids with a fond smile. “Family time is the best.”

I knew how much family meant to my best friend. Before he’d mated with my brother, he’d just lost his papa.

“Absolutely. Emilia loves being around her cousins. And it’s great for us to catch up too.”

As the afternoon wore on, we watched the kids play, took turns chasing Beau and Rhett around. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter and the occasional cry from one of the babies, quickly soothed by a comforting parent.

I leaned back on my elbows, enjoying the sight of them together. It was moments like this that made everything feel right in the world.

“I can’t believe how fast they’re growing,” Kian said, passing around a bag of apple slices. “Feels like just yesterday we were bringing them home from the hospital.”

“I know. Every day they seem to learn something new. It’s amazing to watch.”

Kian nodded, his eyes on the girls. “And before we know it, they’ll be running around like Beau and Rhett.”

The thought filled me with a mix of excitement. Still, it was hard to imagine Emilia as a toddler, but I knew that day would come sooner than I wanted. For now, I was content to savor these early months, watching her discover the world one small step at a time.

“Kian,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence, “there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

He looked up, concern immediately clouding his features. “What’s up? What’s on your mind?”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady the nerves that had been building all day. I didn’t know why I was nervous. This was Kian. “I haven’t told Jaxson yet.”

Kian turned to face me, his full attention now focused on me. “Oh Rhys!” He sighed, “Why not? I thought you said you would a while ago.”

I hesitated, the words feeling heavy on my tongue. “I’m terrified of how he’ll react.”

Kian’s expression softened. He shifted back so our shoulders were touching. It reminded me of talks we’d had in our dorm room. “You know you have to tell him eventually,” he said gently. “Putting it off isn’t going to make it any easier. Trust me, I know it’s scary, but you can’t let that fear control you.”

I nodded, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. “I know, but what if he reacts badly? What if it changes everything between us?”

Kian reached over and draped an arm over my shoulder, then gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze. “When I found out, it wasn’t a big deal at all. It was strange, sure, but it was also kind of cool. And Jaxson loves you. Whatever it is, you two will get through it together.”

I sighed, grateful for his support but still feeling the weight of the impending conversation. “I just don’t want to lose him, Kian. I’ve been waiting for my mate for so long, and now with the baby coming...”

Kian pulled me into a hug, his warmth and strength comforting me. “You’re not going to lose him. You and Jaxson have something special. But he also deserves to know the truth. Once he does, you’ll feel so much better. Trust me on that.”

I wrapped my arm around his waist and held onto him for a moment, drawing strength from his confidence. “You’re right,” I finally said, pulling back and looking into his eyes. “I need to do this. For us, for the baby, for our future.”

Kian smiled, a look of pride in his eyes. “That’s the spirit. And remember, I’m here for you. Every step of the way.”

“How did you feel about finding out after?—”

“We’d been friends for so long?” Kian finished for me.

Kian nudged me, “I got it Rhys, more so now. I can’t imagine what it was like keeping that secret. And I think about the kids. I hope if they ever have human mates too, things will be just fine too.”

“Not all humans react well to the knowledge,” I reminded him. “There’s a reason we’ve kept our secret so guarded for centuries.”

Kian nodded, his eyes meeting mine briefly, before flicking away. He understood the risks. I bet Gabe had told him stories of those who couldn’t handle the revelation, who handled things very badly. And they were not just cautionary tales. They were real, and they were terrifying.

“But even so,” I murmured, more to myself than to him, “this can’t go on forever.”I blew out a breath. “Jaxson deserves to know the truth. If anyone can handle it, it’s him. Right?”

Kian squeezed me again. “It will all work out.”

As the sun began to dip lower in the afternoon sky, casting a golden glow over the area, we packed up our things and prepared to head home. The kids were starting to tire, their earlier exuberance giving way to sleepy eyes and gentle yawns.

Kian called Beau and Rhett, who were reluctant to leave but too sleepy to protest much. “Thanks for the play date,” he said, giving us a tired smile. “We’ll have to do this again soon.”

“Definitely,” I replied, hoisting Emilia into my arms. “It’s been great.”

We said our goodbyes and made our way to the car, Emilia already dozing off. As I buckled her into her car seat, I glanced over at Kian, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for these moments. Growing up with alpha brothers, I loved having more brothers by marriage.

Today had been perfect. I loved seeing Emilia with her new family. And I really prayed it wouldn’t be the last time.

As I drove home, the peaceful silence in the car was filled with the soft sounds of Emilia’s breathing. I glanced back at her, her tiny form snuggled in her car seat, and felt my heart swell with love.

Please don’t let me lose my daughter and mate.