Tora lounged across the overstuffed couch in her and Jax’s cottage, the scent of pine and freshly brewed tea drifting through the open windows. Sunlight danced along the floorboards, catching on the ends of her dark hair as she held the phone to her ear with a lazy smile.
“I’m still alive, Mom,” she said with a smirk. “Against all odds.”
Tabby’s voice crackled through the speaker, warm and full of dry humor. “You say that like I’m supposed to be surprised.”
Tora chuckled. “Considering the last year we’ve had? I feel like I should be given a medal just for surviving the month.”
“Fair enough. You always did know how to find trouble. Even as a toddler, you were scaling cliffs and chasing fireflies like they owed you money.”
Tora grinned and settled deeper into the cushions. “Yeah, well. Old habits die hard.”
Tabby sighed on the other end, a con
Dr. Mira returned to the room carrying a softly glowing orb cradled in a silver stand. Fine etchings of ancient runes shimmered across the glass surface, pulsing in rhythm with Tora’s own heartbeat.“All right,” she said gently, setting the orb on the small table beside the ultrasound machine. “This won’t harm you or the babies. The enchantments I’m using are designed to read energy levels, bloodlines, and development patterns. It's more of a… spiritual scan than a physical one.”Tora gave a small nod. “Go ahead. Maggie gave her blessing.”Mira blinked in surprise. “That’s rare. Spirits don’t usually involve themselves unless something big is coming.”Jax muttered, “You have no idea.”Dr. Mira smiled and placed her hands over Tora’s belly, not touching, but hovering—one hand over each side as the orb began to glow more brightly. Runes floate
Later that afternoon, as the sun began to dip behind the tree line, Jax leaned over the back of the couch where Cheyenne was casually flipping through a book.“Hey, think you could call your dad? Ask if he and your little brothers can come help with the build? I know they’re fast, and I trust them with the work.”Cheyenne didn’t even hesitate. “You want help from the literal wolf version of Bob the Builder and his mini-me sidekicks? You got it.”She pulled out her phone and was already dialing before he could respond. A few minutes of laughter and back-and-forth later, she ended the call with a grin. “They’re on their way. Dad said he’s been bored lately and needs something to throw a hammer at. You’re welcome.”Sure enough, a couple hours later, Johnathan arrived with his two youngest sons—Sam and Eli—in tow. The moment they stepped onto the cottage property, the group gathered
Tora lay back on the padded exam table, a hand resting gently on her still-flat belly. Jax sat beside her, one of his large hands wrapped around hers while his thumb drew slow circles along her knuckles. The steady hum of the ultrasound machine filled the otherwise quiet room. The doctor, a calm-eyed woman with graying hair pulled into a tight braid, adjusted the wand against Tora’s stomach and smiled at the small flickers appearing on the monitor.“There they are,” she said gently. “Both babies look healthy and active.”Tora exhaled with relief. “Thank the Goddess.”Jax leaned forward, his eyes locked on the grainy screen. “Still looks like tiny alien beans to me.”Tora smirked. “Adorable alien beans.”The doctor chuckled, clicking a few images to save them. “We’re still early in the pregnancy. But both fetuses are measuring within expected growth ranges.”T
Tora lounged across the overstuffed couch in her and Jax’s cottage, the scent of pine and freshly brewed tea drifting through the open windows. Sunlight danced along the floorboards, catching on the ends of her dark hair as she held the phone to her ear with a lazy smile.“I’m still alive, Mom,” she said with a smirk. “Against all odds.”Tabby’s voice crackled through the speaker, warm and full of dry humor. “You say that like I’m supposed to be surprised.”Tora chuckled. “Considering the last year we’ve had? I feel like I should be given a medal just for surviving the month.”“Fair enough. You always did know how to find trouble. Even as a toddler, you were scaling cliffs and chasing fireflies like they owed you money.”Tora grinned and settled deeper into the cushions. “Yeah, well. Old habits die hard.”Tabby sighed on the other end, a con
The Phoenix Sanctum shimmered with its ever-glowing golden embers as Nalia and Tyler stepped through the swirling portal. The familiar warmth wrapped around them like a welcome-home hug, scented with wild cinnamon blooms and crackling magic that pulsed through the air.Kensavion and Rheya were waiting at the entrance, standing hand in hand, both radiating a subtle glow of contentment. Nalia didn’t miss the distinct twin marks glowing faintly on their collarbones—phoenix mating marks. The usually grumpy and broody Kensavion looked… borderline serene. Rheya, for her part, wore a smile that softened her strong, warrior expression.“Well,” Nalia said with a teasing smirk, “looks like someone’s been busy.”Tyler chuckled and extended his hand to Kensavion. “Congratulations, man. Truly.”Kensavion actually cracked a smile. “Took long enough,” he muttered. Rheya elbowed him, her smirk mirro
*About a month (or so) later*The training field buzzed with energy—warriors, young wolves, and even some pups sparring, stretching, and tossing insults like candy. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, dust, and freshly cut grass, but everyone paused when they heard the familiar voice full of sarcasm.Late. Again.Tora and Jax, stretching out his limbs, and Tora with that “don’t talk to me until I’ve had meat and sarcasm” expression.“You’re late,” Ben called out, flipping a page on his clipboard.“Fashionably,” Tora smirked as she brushed her hair from her face.But then—Cheyenne, in mid-conversation with Isolde, suddenly stopped and sniffed the air.Once.Twice.Her head snapped toward Tora.Tora arched a brow. “What?”Cheyenne didn’t answer. She sniffed again.Tora sniffed the air too. Her brows furrowed.