In the weeks to follow some normalcy came back to the group. Reyn was back to herself, although a slip up on Ashlin's part revealed Eli had erased Reyn's memories of what
had happened during the week she was kidnapped. The siren was less than pleased to find out he'd done something he knew she wouldn't like, and the two had been keeping to themselves with Nya in the guest house. Kayden's best guess was they didn't want the others to here them fighting.
As for Ash and Braxton, their lives seemed complete with each other, and Kyli continued to stay with them to Ashlin's enjoyment. The three often invited the pack over for dinner, and with Luna and Xael's new engagement, Ash, Kyli, and Kayden often stole the bride-to-be from her mate for some wedding planning.
In her own house, the overwhelming stress of finding out she was pregnant seemed to be dying in Luna, as she came to terms with it but not of course without a little payback. Kayden felt almost sorry for Xael with Luna's frequent mood swings, cravings, and demands. For Kayden herself, with Jay still gone she didn't have much to do unless Luna or Xael needed her, so she spent most of her time either running or reading a book in her room. The longer Jay stayed away the more Kayden felt comfortable with how she had handled it, assuring herself that he was the stubborn one.
Two weeks past, and it was on a sunny afternoon as Kayden strolled through the trees towards a favorite spot of hers to Change that she ran into Phoenix and Graham.
"Sheesh!" she swore, jumping back, "Nix don't sneak up on me."
"Hey girl," Phoenix grinned, hugging her gently, "We've been following you for a few minutes now actually. Had a bet to see how long it took you to notice."
"I won," Graham grinned, "She thought you'd spot us right away, I said give her a couple minutes."
"Why are you here is the question," Kayden raised an eyebrow, "Didn't we say we'd meet up in the city in another two weeks time."
"Yeah, well things changed," Graham's smiled faded, his eyes darting to Phoenix.
“We need to talk,” Nix sighed, nodding to continue walking deeper into the trees, “It’s an emergency Kayden.”
Following the two of them further in, they walked as they spoke.
“Luna’s life is in danger,” Graham spat out, getting a punch to the gut as Phoenix glared at him.
“Way to soften the blow,” she snapped, “Before you freak out Kayden let us explain.
Kay blinked several times, confused and then scared, “W-why is she is danger? What’s happening?”
“We did some research,” Graham gasped, bending over as he tried to catch his breath, “Between…me and Nix, we found out Luna’s life…and the unborn twins…are in serious danger.”
Kayden sucked in her breath, her canines biting down on her lip hard, “Why?! Can anything be done?!”
They found a small creek cutting through a tiny grassy clearing that sloped down. The three settled into the grass and Phoenix explained it in detail, talking slowly so Kayden could absorb each word. When she was finished Graham jumped in, explaining the only answer so far as how to remedy it. But they hadn’t looked much into other options, wanting to bring the news to Kayden first.
“Is it possible there is another way? I know a witch…maybe spells, or potions could-“
Graham shook his head, “Magic has side effects, and it can put Luna more at risk. We can look for another answer Kay, but you are putting your sister more at risk every day we search. It won't be long before she's due, and the closer we get to that date, the harder it will be to help her.”
"Ash did a check up on Luna, she's a little over 4 months pregnant, meaning we still have 5 months to figure this out, right?"
Phoenix blinked a few times, looking confused, "No Kay, that's impossible. You know wolves pregnancy length is only five to six months?"
Kayden's blood drained from her face, "But that's...she can't be..."
Graham held a hand up, "She isn't that close to being due. If Ashlin thought she was 4 months in, then she's probably only three months, because the time length is shortened. It gives us at most another two months."
"And since your sister is an Alpha, it could be even less," Nix sighed, "Normal wolves only take sixty two to seventy five days kid. Luna is more wolf than human, so she could even go into labor at the four month mark."
"So we have no time at all," Kayden's voice cracked, fear lacing through her, "This isn't fair. If my father-"
"Kayden breath," Graham grabbed her shoulders, "We know what to do, we just have to find someone to do it."
"Willing or unwilling," Nix's greenish grey eyes darted between both of them.
Kayden sighed, rubbing her palms into her eyes. They had no time, no way to plan. If she told Luna and Xael now they'd panic. There seemed to be little options, and less time.
And just yesterday, Luna was saying how excited she was. How'd she be a better mother than their own, how Xael would make the perfect dad. And Xael...he's never been so happy. She can't loose this. They can't loose this.
"Can I have a little time to think?" she murmured, staring at her lap, "Could you two come back tonight, around midnight...I just need to be alone."
"Of course," Nix elbowed Graham and they both stood, we will wait out by the meat shed for you.
"Thanks."
And with that they left, leaving Kayden to her depressing thoughts.
Nereyda huffed up the trail to Luna and Xael's house, leaving the halfling behind to watch Nya. They'd been quietly fighting on and off for two weeks now. She knew why he did what he did, but she was still upset. Out of everyone, Elijah knew how much she hated her amnesia, and to take another week away of her life seemed unfair. In his defense, she was shutting down and withering away.
It still was causing tensions in the house. However, they were being quiet when they argued, keeping Nya's innocent ears out of their bickering. And the arguing hadn't been so bad in the last few days.
At least the make-up sex has been awesome.
Strolling to the front door, she knocked before letting herself in. Luna was on the couch, a book propped up by her growing stomach.
"Hey mama wolf," Reyn smiled, noticing how big Luna had grown since the last week she had seen her, "Boy, are those twins ever growing. What are you at already? Six, seven months now?"
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