Chapter 25

Twenty-Five

ALANA

Two Months Later

M y heart was heavy as I packed my things into a suitcase.

Leaving Howl's Edge and my family felt like a nightmare - something I never envisioned doing. Grandma had comforted me numerous times that she would take care of my shop and that I would get used to living in Tennessee. The babies were sleeping in their cribs, and Owen was helping me pack up. Markus and Lio were shopping for supplies that we would need for the trip.

It had taken a while for Grant to come around when he saw no other option except for us to leave, so he agreed to take us with his new helicopter. But there was one thing I needed to do before traveling. I had to see James one more time.

"Owen," I said.

"Mhm?" he said, folding his shirts into a huge pile on the carpet while he sat cross-legged on the ground.

"I'm going to the beach today. I need fresh air," I said. "Being cooped up for two months in hiding is making me depressed."

That part was true.

I had been crying a lot lately, and I knew it had to do with the fact that I needed to see James again. My heart longed to see his kind eyes again, to see him one more time before leaving forever.

"I don't know about that," said Owen. "What if the twins wake up, and I can't handle them both? There needs to be two of us here at all times."

"They won't," I reassured him, pulling the curtain closed to block the sunlight from going on their faces. They were sensitive to bright light. I watched them sleeping in the crib with their hands entwined, and I smiled. "Besides, I'll be back in just an hour. I promise."

Owen walked over to me and wrapped his arm around my waist. His growing black beard brushed my neck as he kissed me, and warmth flooded between my legs. We hadn't been intimate since the babies were born. I hadn't been intimate with any of the men yet until I got stronger. For them to practice abstinence after quitting their knotting jobs took a lot of patience, but I think it helped.

"Do I get a kiss on the lips before you abandon me?"

"Of course," I said with a smile, going on my tip-toes to kiss him. He always smelled the best from the pack with his expensive cologne and frequent showers.

"Don't get into trouble on the beach and come back pregnant," he joked, looking at me like he knew what was going on. I shook my head, not making eye contact in case he could see the lie in my eyes.

"Of course not. That's your job," I joked.

"Yes, you're very right. It's our job to make you pregnant," he said with a dark look in his eyes, and my heart pounded fast.

He reluctantly released me, and I went to my mirror to touch up.

I straightened my black shimmering sweater over my jeans and spritzed some perfume. I had freshly coated pink nail polish today, which made me feel feminine and pretty after a long time of chaos and pregnancy. I was scared and nervous about looking for James today. What if he had left Howl's Edge? Or if he never wanted to see me again?

As I walked to the spot on the beach where I had been attacked, my heart was pounding out of my chest, and several times I was getting cold feet, ready to turn back. But I pressed on walking to the spot between the boulders and the hidden cave. In all honesty, I didn't expect to see James and probably never will. I felt like I betrayed Lio, Markus, and Owen by doing this. It was wrong, but James had to know about his babies before we left, or I'd never forgive myself.

But I didn't know how I'd react if I saw him.

I stopped at the rock before entering the secret entrance.

"James?" I called out a couple of times. I couldn't raise my voice in case other vampires heard me. They wouldn't be too happy if they saw me.

After a minute, I gave up and started to walk back toward my car,

"Alana," said a soft voice.

I spun around, seeing him standing at the entrance of the cave. His loincloth was torn in several places as he leaned to the side, his body lanky and muscular. My pulse raced at seeing him again. His familiar face was shaped perfectly, and his striking red eyes made me feel like prey when he gazed at me.

"James," I said in a low voice. He walked over to me, staying careful to remain hidden under the bed of rocks.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, gazing at me like he couldn't believe I was there.

I could tell he was breathing hard, affected by my presence. I couldn't believe I was seeing him again too. I noticed scars all over his arms, and my eyes roamed his body- noticing his body had welts and bruises.

"Oh my god, what happened to you?" I said, rushing over to him and walking around him to inspect. His back was covered in old scars and healing wounds like he had been whipped.

"I took my punishment for helping you," he shrugged like it was no big deal at all.

"No, oh no," I cried, holding my hand to my mouth in horror. It looked so painful, and I felt sick to my stomach that he had to take all that punishment because of me. "I'm sorry, James."

"Hey, it's okay," he said, grasping my forearm.

His touch sent shockwaves through my body, reminding me of what we once had. We locked eyes for a moment, my heart pounding fast. Then I pulled my arm away, which he released instantly.

It was awkwardly quiet for a moment as we gazed into each other's eyes, not sure what to say.

"How have you been?" I asked, breaking the silence. I swallowed nervously because my throat was dry.

"Here and there," he said vaguely. "Volgriff is still pissed off, but I'm helping out with odd jobs for him. Like making sure his betas are alive and fed before the massive feedings, he does with his followers. I'd rather put them out of their misery, but it is what it is."

"Oh, not fun," I said. I opened my mouth to say something about his babies, but I closed my mouth again. I couldn't do it. I couldn't bring myself to tell him. His eyes roamed to my lips, and he took a step towards me. I quickly placed a hand on his chest, stopping him. "We can't."

"It won't get me in trouble," he said gruffly, grasping my hand. Then his eyes widened with realization. "Are you mated?"

I nodded silently.

"Are they treating you well?"

"Yes," I said.

He released my hand and nodded with a serious look in his eyes.

"Then it's time we say goodbye to each other," he said. "Thank you for coming by to see me."

"Yes, of course," I said, and he turned away from me. I turned away, too, slowly heading back to my car with tears flowing down my face. My heart hurt, and my tears wouldn't stop.

I felt for James like I've never felt for anyone before.

Then I felt his cold hand grab mine, and I turned back to face him, wiping my tears with my oversized black sweater.

"I didn't mean to make you cry," he said softly, gazing at my face. I swallowed. "I still think of you, Alana. Every moment of every day. I think of you when I wake up and go to sleep at night. Don't think for a second that I don't care."

His confession overwhelmed me, but it was happening to me too. I wondered how it was possible that he could be my fated mate like Lio. It couldn't be. It could not work even if we wanted it to happen.

"I…you have twin babies," I said, sniffling.

"What?" he asked, unable to hear me over the waves.

"I gave birth a couple of months ago," I said. "To your babies."

"That's impossible," he breathed. He stood frozen in his spot as he stared at me.

"It's true," I said.

"Show me," he said, ready to run out in the streets in what he was wearing. He would stand out like a sore thumb, especially in the area I lived in with Lio and his pack.

"I just wanted you to know before I left Howl's Edge," I said.

"I need to see them," he insisted.

"But look at what you're wearing," I said. "They'll stake you on sight."

"Can you find me something to wear then?" he said, his eyes desolate. "If I can't have you, let me see my children before you leave. I don't have anyone in my life right now."

Especially after what he did to save me . And I knew he was downplaying what happened, but it pained my soul to see him so hurt like this. Physically and mentally, they've worn him down. And the confession of his feelings didn't make my decision any easier.

"Alright," I said. "I'll try to find something, but they'll be awake soon."

Just then, my phone vibrated in my jeans pocket, and I pulled it out, seeing a text from Owen that the babies were awake.

"Shit, the babies are awake."

"That'll be perfect then," said James.

We stood at the front of the house.

James was wearing a large black hat that flopped over his eyes, a pair of pants, and a shirt that I had bought on the way to the house. I could feel the excitement radiate off his body as we stood at the door. I checked to make sure Lio and Markus weren't home before getting out of the car.

"Are you ready?" I asked him.

"More than ready," he said.

I unlocked the door, and I could hear the babies cooing upstairs with Owen singing to them in his deep voice. I smiled, loving that he enjoyed every minute of being with them.

"Stay here," I said to him as I rushed up the stairs. I went inside the room and saw that Owen had the babies on the floor doing tummy time for their crawling exercises.

"Look at June," he said proudly.

"Owen, I have someone here to see them," I said quickly.

"What?"

"It's the father of these children. He wants to see them quick," I said.

"No, the hell he does not," argued Owen in a low voice. "Why the fuck did you bring a vampire to this house? We are all going to be thrown in prison or killed."