C38

"When are you due?" Stacy asked.

"Werewolves develop more quickly than humans," Indianna said, repeating what Doc had told her. "Instead of nine months, its six. So, they should be here in February sometime. Apparently werewolf babies are hard to predict a date, and with twins I'm more likely to be premature."

"Premature?" Stacy questioned.

"Early," Indianna explained.

"How early?" Rogue asked.

Indianna shrugged. "A few weeks, a month? I don't know."

"So, it could be as early as January?"

"Possibly," Indianna said.

"That's not far off, little sister," Rogue said.

Indianna swallowed and rubbed her stomach. "I know."

"Come on, let's go and sit down. You shouldn't be on your feet for so long," Stacy said and soon they were all sitting in the lounge.

Indianna had never felt so uncomfortable in her life.

"So, who are you going to have with you at the birth?" Stacy asked. She sat back on the couch and leaned into Rogue. Indianna watched as he placed his hand on her knee.

"I..." Indianna frowned. "I hadn't thought of that."

"Usually you have your mum, but that's no possible considering she's a loony-"

"Stacy," Rogue said sharply.

Stacy made an 'o' shape with her mouth. "I... oh, should I not have said anything?"

Rogue sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just... stop talking," he said.

"I'm sorry, babe," Stacy whispered. She linked her fingers with his.

He smiled softly at her. "It's fine."

"What is going on?" Indianna asked. "What did you mean about my mum?"

"Nothing," Rogue said dismissively.

"Jason..." Indianna gulped. "What have you done to her?"

Rogue gave Stacy a look. "I wasn't going to show her this just yet, but it looks like I'm going to have to now."

"I'm sorry," Stacy apologised as Rogue stood.

"I know," Rogue said and kissed Stacy on the cheek before facing Indianna. "Come with me, little sister, it seems I have something to show you."

Indianna frowned and stood up, cautiously following her brother out of the room. Rogue was silent as he led her up the stairs and to Indianna's old room. "Jason, what is going on?"

"I'm only showing you this because you seem to be behaving recently. This is a reward for your good behaviour. If you carry on listening to me then you will be rewarded." Rogue opened the door to Indianna's room and gestured her inside.

Nothing had changed. It was still the half lived in room that Indianna had never finished unpacking properly. However, there was one thing that wasn't quite right.

On the bed, curled up in a ball was... her mother.

"Iris," Rogue called. "You have a visitor."

Iris's looked up and Indianna gasped quietly. Something was wrong. Her mother's eyes were wide, and her lips were forming words, but Indianna struggled to understand what she was saying. She looked rabid.

"What is wrong with her?" Indianna asked slowly, taking a step towards the bed. "Mum?" Indianna said softly. "It's me, Indie."

"As Stacy said, she's a loony," Rogue said. His voice was void from emotion. "She's gone crazy."

Iris looked at Indianna with wide eyes. "Daughter?" She whispered. She looked hurriedly between Indianna and Rogue.

"Yes," Indianna whispered. "What happened to you?"

"He ruins everything," Iris whispered. "He ruined me. He ruined you, and your Greyson. He's ruined this town."

"Now, that's not very nice," Rogue tutted.

"Trust your head," Iris said. Her voice was frantic. "He has help. He can do things, things he shouldn't be able to do!"

"Iris, stop talking nonsense," Rogue said.

"Mum, what do you mean?" Indianna asked.

"He can do things to mates! Your friend Brooke, he is keeping her and her mate apart. He has his ways to sep-"

"Iris, why don't you tell your daughter how you missed her?"

"He's crazy!" Iris cried, she threw her arms up in the air and Indianna stepped back quickly. "Trust your head, Indie! Trust the voices you hear, when all seems lost, believe in the impossible!"

Indianna frowned. "Mum... I-I don't understand-"

Iris lunged forward and grabbed Indianna's wrists, pulling Indianna towards her. She held her lips to Indianna's ear. "Alive!" She whispered. "He's alive!"

"Iris, you're going to hurt her," Rogue said and pried Iris away from Indianna. He shoved Iris back onto the bed. "Sister, you should go back downstairs now."

"I... B-but-"

"Now!" Rogue growled. He raised his eyebrow at Indianna. "I don't repeat myself, sister."

Indianna looked at Iris, who was a muttering mess on the bed. He had pulled her knees to her chest and was rocking back and forth, whispering to herself. She had gone insane.

"Sister-"

"I'm going," Indianna sighed and slowly left the room. Her mind hurt, she didn't know how to deal with seeing her mother like that. Talking all sort of nonsense. Who was her mother even talking about?