Chapter 24

Twenty-Four

ALANA

T he next morning, Owen was helping me get ready before my family arrived to see the babies. They still had no idea I had given birth, and it was supposed to remain a secret, but Lio had convinced me that they wouldn't tell anyone.

Grandma was cooking lunch downstairs, and Markus was walking around with baby Jay while Lio took care of June. They looked exhausted from the lack of sleep last night, but it felt like a real pack now that the babies were here. For some reason, it felt more lively in the house.

I loved it, but I still felt like something was missing. The actual father of these babies was missing.

"There, your hair is perfect," said Owen, who helped me tie it up in a ponytail.

"Do you see my blue maternity dress over there? Could you get that for me?"

"Alana, they don't expect you to look perfect. You just gave birth, for goodness sakes," said Owen, resting his hand on my shoulder.

"I know, but I can't be naked," I said, looking down at my bare chest. "It's already a lot that my Grandma has seen these jugs."

Owen chuckled and kissed me on the lips, cupping my left breast. I quickly swatted his warm hand away.

"Your grandma is cooking," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

"It doesn't matter. I'm not taking any chances," I whispered, and he kissed me one more time on the lips before grabbing my dress. He helped me put it on, and I grabbed his hand as he led me to the bathroom. I closed the door behind me and used the counter to balance myself as I walked to the toilet. Everything ached, especially my vagina. I couldn't believe I had given birth to twins. It still seemed unreal to me, but I was so excited for my family to see the babies, although I was apprehensive about them meeting Jay. It would be tough for them to understand, and I hoped I wouldn't have to go into detail about the babies.

But they would have to know that I would be leaving Howl's Edge.

Later that day, I heard the doorbell ring.

My heart raced as I looked at the babies lying beside me on the bed. The bed was decorated with a pink comforter from my insistence, and the floor was vacuumed. I was nervous when I heard Grandma greeting my family downstairs. I could hear their voices downstairs, especially my sisters' which were the loudest.

"We have something to show you," said Grandma, leading them up the steps while my dad Grant made a joke in his booming voice. I looked over at Markus, who was standing next to the bed, and he winked at me.

My heart pounded fast.

"We got this little omega," Markus said. "I can smell your scent changing. You're nervous."

"I don't know what they'll think," I whispered quickly while Grandma glided into the room excitedly.

Grant and my mother walked into the room first, following Grandma. Their eyes widened upon seeing the two bundles on the bed. Mom walked over to me with wonder in her eyes and framed my face with the palms of her hands.

"You had babies," she exclaimed. "Congratulations, daughter! And twins."

"Yeah," I said, smiling, hearing my sisters squealing over the babies.

"Hold on, something is wrong," said Grant, staring at my baby boy in particular. "Something is off about his skin. Very thin and clear."

My mother released my face to see what was wrong. I swallowed hard. Lio's hand rubbed my back comfortingly.

"I have something to tell you," I said.

My entire family looked at me with full attention while I told them the story about the vampire. Some of them looked confused. My sisters didn't care if the baby was a vampire, and they still loved him. Grant was the most pissed off.

"I don't know how I feel about this," he said in a low voice. "Your life is in grave danger."

"I know Dad," I said. "But there's nothing I can do except leave Howl's Edge."

"Leave?!" he boomed. "That should not happen."

"I'm not risking living here."

"Maybe the rules have changed," said Grant.

"Grant, you know better than anyone how much they despise vampires," said Sam. "Our daughter is in danger of being here. Even if you got rid of the baby, and they found out, she would be punished."

Grant's lips thinned in silent anger.

"You should have known better than to go to the beach alone," said Grant.

"Grant," said my mother, laying a hand on his arm. "Please reign in your temper. She had the babies already."

"I'm not happy with any of this. And with her leaving Howl's Edge," said Grant.

Just then, Lio's mother, Keera, walked in carrying a large bouquet. My parents had quieted down about their differing opinions, and the room was now filled with chatter, laughter, and cuddling the babies. My brother Adam was in awe of Baby Jay, watching him like he was some outlandish creature.

"We have an actual baby vampire in this house," said Adam. "Damn."

"Adam, don't swear," said Mom sharply, and I smiled. I was content watching everyone having a great time catching up and holding the babies. Soon Grandma announced it was lunchtime, and everyone left the room, including the babies, since my sisters were obsessed with them.

"I'll bring you food," said Lio, and I nodded.

Once I was alone in the room, I was able to take a few deep breaths and relax for a bit. After being in isolation my entire pregnancy, it was draining having to talk to so many people, even if they were my family. It upset me that Grant wasn't proud of me, but there was nothing I could do about it. I wanted to do great things and impress my family, but my life had taken a different turn than what they wanted.

A turn I had never expected.

I had to use the bathroom. I stood up from the bed and felt instantly dizzy. I grabbed the headboard until I steadied myself. It was torture feeling so weak and tired all the time. As I took tiny steps to the bathroom, my back ached sharply. I paused in the middle of the room, unable to walk further with tears in my eyes. I was in too much pain to walk.

"Baby, what happened?" asked Lio, rushing into the room and setting my plate of food down on the nightstand. He grabbed me by the arm, and I was able to lean on him, relieving the pain in my back.

"I just needed to use the bathroom," I groaned as he walked me to it.

"You should have waited for me," he said, and I heard the panic in his voice. "We shouldn't have left your side."

"It's okay," I said.

"No, it's not okay."

After I used the bathroom, he was waiting outside the door for me. I could still hear everyone downstairs being loud and rambunctious, with Owen being the center of attention. I hooked my arm around Lio's.

"Lana," he said.

"Yes?"

"I'm so sorry about last night. It should have been an exciting moment for us, and you warned me that the baby might not be ours," he said.

"I'm glad you remember it," I said dryly. "I accept your apology."

"I love you. You know that, right?" he said.

"I do," I said, wondering where all this was coming from. Was it because I said I loved James? "I hope you're not saying that just because I have a child now, and you're forced to take care of us."

"Listen," said Lio, eyes narrowing. "No one forces me to do anything . I want to be here for you and to be the pack of your dreams."

I sat down on the edge of the bed, overwhelmed by what he was saying.

"Are you sure?"

"I've never been so sure of anyone in my life," he said, staring into my eyes. It was so intense, and I felt his alpha energy flow to my soul just from his gaze alone. He meant what he said. "I've always loved you, Lana."

He grasped me by the face and kissed me square on the lips. My heart raced with each brush of his face against mine, his tongue pressing into my mouth. My scent rose as he caressed my hips and my back despite my weak body. He was gentle, and his touch was comforting instead of lustful.

"I want to tell you something," I said. I wanted to tell him that I had to see James before we left and to let him know that he had babies. It would be so wrong to just up and leave. My heart raced.

"Yes?" said Lio.

"Umm, never mind," I said upon second thought. Telling Lio would just start a huge fight. "What food did you get me?"

"All of your favorites."