Annuity and Answeres

Teddy’s POV

Melody’s took our delicate little bundle into her arms, her chest still shaking slightly as she nuzzled the baby close to her chest to eat. “There, there… mommy’s here. It’s gonna be okay.” Her voice was breaking slightly as she spoke to her, tears still falling as she caressed the baby’s soft locks of black hair. “Two’s okay, right?” She wouldn’t look at me when saying it, talking more to the baby than anything. “You’ll just have to get into twice as much trouble as your brother.”

“I-I need to go talk to Axel and make arrangements for things.” The room was feeling too stuffy, the air stagnant to me. They had been through and melted bodies and disinfected everything while Melody was out, leaving the halls smelling like bleach and copper.

“Teddy..” Melody’s voice stopped me in the door, my shoulders tensing as I felt the walls creeping in closer. “Nothing is your fault. We couldn’t have predicted any of this happening. We-we just need to figure out why this is happening; maybe even try to come up with a way to control it.” Her voice was becoming a little more stronger then, the calming effects of holding onto our precious treasure bringing out the Queen in Melody. “Because whoever is behind all of this is going to pay.”

“They will.” I agreed with my wife, already going over the implications of controlling the rogues.

“I love you; don’t forget that.” Her voice didn’t waver, her breathing calm and even. “And we’ll be y through this.”

“I love you too, my little baker.” I turned slightly and smiled at her, not really feeling like it but still wanting to put on a calm facade for her. “I’ll be back soon.” I closed the door behind me on the way out, nodding at the six guards I now had posted there.

All of them had been vetted thoroughly, no debt, family ties only to Moon Harvest, and extensive training from Axel. They were Betas and almost as bulky as us Alphas. “No one in or out unless they are on the approved list.” I gave the command, all of them going to full attention.

‘Axel; would you like to come with me to speak to Thomas?’ I sent the link, going to the front of the hospital and shifting into Howler. I needed to run, and he had been chomping at the bit since Melody and Ambrosia came out of surgery.

‘I’m still running new rounds with the security; retightening the border and making sure that all the Rogue’s are gone. Tell him I say hey.’ He sounded exhausted, which was unusual for the normally busting with energy man.

‘Thank’s brother.’ I started to sniff around near my parent’s lake, getting a feel for the land I grew up on before linking my brother. ‘Thomas, could we talk for a minute?’

‘Sure. Rose and I are on the west end, near the runoff.’ He sent back, his voice sounding as strong and healthy as when I was younger. I had heard that He was doing well; Melody and I not really having the pleasure of running with them yet, or even the time to visit. But I needed sound advice from him; the one man, or wolf really, who always had a good head on his shoulders and a knack for seeing the broader picture.

My paws ate up the ground as I ran around the lake, taking in the sight of the full moon glistening off of the water. Pretty soon, I could hear the heavy fall of paws on compacted earth as Hallow and Willow joined me, a small and adorable beagle pup doing its best to keep up. The sight had me stagger a little, my wolf and I doing a yip in amusement. ‘What’s with the tag along?’ I teased my brother, the small pup starting to bark and nip at my paws when we stopped running.

‘Be kind. That’s your new nephew now.’ Thomas huffed as Willow came up and bumped me on the shoulder in greeting, picking up the pup with her teeth on his scruff and prancing off with him. ‘Rose is smitten, and there’s nothing I can do.’ He huffed as he flopped down to the ground d to rest, Hallow’s tongue lolling out. ‘It’s good to see you, Teddy. Mom played a video of the wedding for us; you’ll have to tell Melody that Rose and I agree she looked stunning.’

‘I agree, and I will.’ I nodded my head at him, stretching my paws and yawning a little as I settled down too.

‘I would have come, but ya know, being a wolf and all kinda makes you stand out like a sore thumb.’

I couldn’t help but chuckle through the link, glad that it seemed his dry humor was back and healed as well. ‘So does being a wolf and having a beagle as a son.’ I teased in turn.

‘Maximilian is a charming pup, so watch what you say.’ He chided with a huff. ‘Now, I’m sure you didn’t run all the way out here just to shoot the breeze while your mate is with your newborn. So… what’s going on?’

Thomas was ever perceptible as always, his keen eyes shining through Hallow’s gaze and piercing right through me. ‘You helped fight off the Rogue’s earlier, Right?’ He blinked his eyes in confirmation, waiting for me to continue. ‘They almost got to Melody, and in the process she… well… let’s just say two pups are enough for us now.’

‘I’m sorry, Ted. But things like that are unpredictable. I’m sure Melody’s alright now though; right? You wouldn’t be out here with me otherwise.’

‘She is, and her and the baby are doing fine now. Dad was on his way to them when the hospital was hit, so the damage there was kept to a minimal.’

‘Good. He’s trying his best now; even begging mom to retire now too since Mark found his mate this month.’

‘Huh’ I hadn’t known that; mom not even mentioning it when we arrived the other day.

‘He wants to join your pack too, so he can be sworn in under you and get his link to you back.’

‘What?!’ I was left speechless for a moment, struggling to get my thoughts back into order.