I shouted that the children were not money. They were my babies. My heart.
He said they were his too. Then he said he had a suggestion.
He said I should follow him. He said I and the children should go with him and be a family. He said he would not tell the Council about what my mother did. The children would have both parents.
I told him I would rather die.
He said he could make that happen. He said if I die, who would raise the children? Him? Or the Henderson family who think the babies belong to them?
He trapped me. He knew it. I knew it.
I asked him to give me time to think. My voice was shaking badly.
Adrian said I had till the pack gathering next week. If I did not go with him by myself, he would take the children by force. He said if I tried to run, he would find me. If I tried to fight, he would kill everyone I love. He said I only had two choices. Surrender to him or watch the people I love die.
Then he left the room like nothing serious happened.
The moment he left, my legs failed. I fell to the ground and cried loudly. Pain was inside every part of my body.
Kyle knelt beside me. He held me tight. He promised he would never allow Adrian to take me. He promised with his life.
But the truth stood in front of us like a wall. Adrian was powerful. He had high contacts. He was protected by the Council.
I was only one girl. A broken girl. A girl without her children. A girl with a white wolf inside her.
How would I ever fight a monster like Adrian and win?
I could not sleep that night. Not even for one minute. Tomorrow was the gathering. Tomorrow I would see my children, my twins, the babies I never held.
I sat by the window and looked at the bright moon. My wolf was awake inside me. She felt my fear, my pain, and my hope.
Please let them be safe, I thought. Please let them be happy.
Someone knocked softly on my door. I knew it was Kyle.
Ariana, are you awake? he asked. His voice was calm but worried.
Yes, come in, I said.
He came in. His hair was messy. He looked tired. He sat on a chair near the window.
You should sleep, he said gently. Tomorrow will be a long day.
I can't sleep, I said. Every time I close my eyes, I see my babies. What if they don't like me? What if they are scared?
They won't be scared, Kyle said. You are their mother. They will feel it, even if they don't know why yet.
But they have other parents now, the Hendersons. What if they don't need me?
Kyle sat closer. He did not touch me. Just being near him made me feel better.
Listen, Ariana, he said softly. These children are yours. Your blood is in them. No matter who raised them, they are still yours. Nothing can change that.
Tears filled my eyes. I'm scared, Kyle. What if I make mistakes when I meet them?
Then you will fix it, he said. That is what parents do. They make mistakes, but they keep trying. I will help you.
I looked at him. He did so much for me, even when I pushed him away.
Why are you so kind? I asked. I keep saying no, but you are still here.
Kyle smiled a little. Real love does not give up. I said I would wait for you, and I meant it.
Something warm moved in my heart. It was not love yet, but maybe one day it could be.
Thank you, I whispered.
Try to sleep, he said. Tomorrow you will need your strength.
Will you stay until I sleep? I asked softly. I don't want to be alone.
He nodded. I will stay.
He sat quietly near my bed, watching, protecting me.
Finally, I fell asleep.
When I woke up, I heard Luna Elena's happy voice. Ariana, wake up! We need to get you ready!
The morning sun filled my room. Kyle was gone.
Luna Elena came in with a big bag. Today is a big day! You must look nice. Everyone important will be there.
I don't care about looking nice, I said. I just want to see my children.
I know, she said kindly. But looking nice gives you confidence. She showed me a light blue dress. Try this.
The dress was simple and pretty.
Luna Elena, I said quietly, what if the Hendersons don't let me near the children?
They don't know who you are, she said. You are just another wolf. But don't tell the children who you are yet. If we rush, we might lose them.
My heart hurt, but I nodded. I understand.
Good girl, she said with a smile. Now get dressed. We leave in one hour.
We went in three cars. Alpha Marcus and Luna Elena in one. Kyle and I in another. Daniel and others behind us.
I sat next to Kyle. My hands were shaking.
He held my hand. Breathe, he said softly.
I took a deep breath. Then another. It helped a little.
What if I cry when I see them? I asked. What if I can't control myself?
I will be there, he said. I will not let you fall apart.
Kyle, I said quietly. If anything bad happens, promise me you will protect my children first. Not me. Them.
He squeezed my hand. Nothing bad will happen.
Promise me, I said again.
He looked at me and nodded. I promise.
The gathering was big. Many tents, food, and music. It looked like a festival. But to me, it was scary. My babies were there somewhere.
Alpha Marcus led us to a big tent where the Alphas met.
Daniel whispered, Ariana should not go in. Only Alphas and Lunas can enter.
She is with me, Kyle said firmly.
He was protecting me again.
Inside, I saw many strong wolves. Some looked curious. Some looked cold.
Then I saw them.
At the far end sat the Hendersons. They looked rich and proud. But I looked at the children between them.
A boy and a girl. About two years old. My children.
The boy had dark hair like mine. The girl had lighter hair but eyes like mine. My heart stopped.
They were beautiful. Perfect. My babies.
Everything else disappeared. The people, the noise. Only them.
I tried to go closer, but Kyle held my arm. Not yet, he whispered. Everyone is watching.
He was right. All the Alphas were looking at me.
Luna Elena came beside me. Breathe, Ariana. You will see them soon.
I forced myself to sit. My hands shook. Kyle did not let go.
When Alpha Marcus said I was the white wolf of Dawn's Light, everyone stared. Some looked amazed. Some looked greedy.
Mrs. Henderson smiled. A white wolf! How wonderful. We must see her shift sometime.