Six years later

Alina's POV 

"Mum!" 

I released a weary sigh as the back seat of my car transformed into a battleground, thanks to Colvin, my 5-year-old son screaming. Another drama for a Monday morning. My twins were at it again. Glancing at the rearview mirror, I raised an eyebrow at the chaos they had caused behind me. This time it was far worse than mere cookie crumbs; Colvin had woven his sister's hair into messy knots. I rolled my eyes in annoyance, trying not to scream out loud as I held the steering wheel firmly, remembering how many hours it took me to strengthen her hair for a new school term.

I had no idea how Camille's auburn hair was hard to brush and not, especially when I was almost at their school. 

Colvin, with his chestnut hair and my green eyes, reminded me of a fateful incident that happened five years ago. Conversely, Camille inherited her father's hazel eyes, but their subtle differences set her apart. "Colvin, I told you to stop touching your sister's hair," I snapped, locking eyes with him in the rearview mirror. 

"I was trying to make her look good," he said with a pitiful expression on his face. 

I chuckled at his words without expecting much. Did he really mention "looking good"? Colvin didn't seem to grasp the concept, perhaps evident by his habit of tying his sister's hair into messy knots. He was hyperactive and humorous, unlike Camille, who was composed.

"That's not how you make her look good," I replied with a smile as I pulled into the school parking lot. I needed to untangle Camille's hair, and the school bell had just rung, hinting at the possibility of them being late on their first day of the new term. "Come here, Camille," I beckoned as she made her way to the passenger seat, giving me enough space to work on her hair.

"My head feels heavier," she commented with a gentle smile, revealing her baby teeth.

"Indeed, it should," I replied, glancing at the mess her brother had created. With a sigh, I resigned myself to tying it up into a ponytail.

"Sorry, Camille," Colvin said as he gently tapped her on the shoulder. They were cute, and I'd taught them to always cherish each other unconditionally. For 5-year-olds, they were surprisingly clever. Their teacher often remarked that they were too advanced for kindergarten and that the school might consider moving them to the next grade. This was an inherent characteristic of "pups," marked by their exceptionally high intelligence and rapid growth. As a consequence, they occasionally fell ill, which was a normal occurrence. When they complained of feeling unwell, I attributed it to the weather. I hadn't disclosed any information about their werewolf heritage or their father's nature. My sole desire was for them to experience a typical human childhood until they were old enough to bear the truth, which would come before their first werewolf transformation. 

"You're all set now," I said with a playful smirk, having spent nearly twenty minutes gently untangling her hair with my fingers. "Let's get you both to class," I instructed, playfully pinching their cheeks. A joyful giggle escaped their lips as they shouldered their backpacks, clutching their lunchbox tightly as they exited the car.

Walking down the deserted hallway, I held their small hands, feeling their inquisitive gazes on me, which brought a smile to my face. Lexi's presence radiated warmth, a comforting connection, much like a mother to her child. They were the greatest blessing in my life since my escape from the castle due to an unexpected pregnancy. The first year after their birth was a struggle, as I worked to build a new life, find employment, and pray to the Moon Goddess for protection from my parents' killer. I've concealed my werewolf nature for six years now, and I can count the number of times I've shifted—mostly during the full moon, while my pups were fast asleep.

At that moment, the teacher's voice, Mrs. Albert, resonated through the corridor, carrying a playful tone. "The Stone family is late on their first day," she quipped with a warm smile. I couldn't help but cringe a little at her comment.

"Number One clown," my inner wolf, Lexi, growled.

"Lexi, it's too early to pick a fight," I playfully retorted.

"Perhaps you could ask her why she hasn't updated that spongey wig," Lexi suggested, and I couldn't help but laugh.

For once, Lexi was right. Mrs. Albert's black sheitel wig left much to be desired. It was like a wig that struggled to find its breath. Gazing at it, I couldn't help but let out a small laugh as I responded to her, "Of course, we are. Good morning, Mrs. Albert," while wearing a forced smile.

"Good morning, Miss Stone," she greeted, bending her head to the height of the twins. "It's wonderful to have you all back," she said, smiling at them, and they responded with heartfelt smiles of their own.

"Okay, Col and Cam, remember to be on your best behavior, and I'll see you both after school, alright?" I asked, and they nodded in agreement, receiving forehead kisses from me.

"Alright then, let's get you inside," Mrs. Albert said, placing her hands on their shoulders.

"Bye, Mum!" they chimed in harmony as I waved them farewell. Now it's time for me to return to my second life as a receptionist. Sigh!

_____

I sat in the school's driveway, doing my normal routine of detoxing from life and its toxins. A deep breath in, breathe enough to make another life, out. 

 It might seem insignificant to many but important to me, life is hard as a single, many-hours working mum and I try not to take work’s frustration home. 

The sound of a child’s laughter took my attention to the side mirror and reminded me to pick up my kids. 

Taking one last breath in, I got out of my car, locked it, and began to walk towards the entrance of the school with slow steps. I had to still drop them off at home and return to work.

Their nanny watched them from after school hours till I got back at, it hurt me to a certain point that I could not spend more time with my little angels and there were times I feared for their safety and I’m sure the nanny must see me as a paranoid mum as I had given her sets of rules to follow, for example, the door must be locked at all times and opened for no one but me. 

But I’m grateful I got an affordable and smart nanny to watch over them, she is a simple high schooler saving towards many things. 

I could see parents looking at me weirdly from the corner of their eyes, mostly women. I understood because I hardly attended most of the school’s programs like the Parents Teachers Welfare and even one time, in a rush I hushed a parent trying to discuss something about a school project. Before I could reach the entrance, I saw my two bundles of joy run out to me with big smiles planted on their faces. 

“Col, Cam. Easy,” just as I reach out to them. 

A vehicle zoomed in out of nowhere separating me and my angels. “Hey, watch it!”

I was ready to give the driver a piece of my mind but noticed the windows were tinted.

“Mummy!” “No, leave me alone!”

I heard at the same time, those were my children’s voices, I panicked immediately and rushed to the other side and I saw the car’s door close and my children nowhere in sight. 

“Stop there… hey.. stop…Colvin…Camille,” I screamed and hit the car with so much strength that caused a dent but the car zoomed off. 

My children, no way, how is this happening to me, I wanted to turn into my werewolf form but I knew, I knew I did not want anyone to see me that way, the kids to see me that way yet. 

I see people shouting, crowding me from eyes blurred with tears, I wasn’t going to let anyone take my kids from me.  

I rushed straight to my car and forced the door to open forgetting that I locked it and almost pulled the door out with the adrenaline that coursed through me, I fumbled with the key, opened the door, and got in. 

“Someone call 911!” I heard from a distance but I knew the police would hardly do anything.

I started the car immediately I got in and started to drive like a maniac, everyone jumped out of the way trying to protect their kids. 

I followed the car steadily, it was wine but without a plate number. I scream and slam my hand on my steering wheel crying and anger pulsing through my veins making my eyes form into red orbs. I could care less about my job or people staring at me, my kids are all I have left, my hope in this world of pain and suffering, a world of hate and heartbreaks. 

The car took a sharp turn as they must probably notice I was on their trail and they took another sharp turn into the woods which would be perfect for me to transform into my wolf. 

My car stopped immediately, I tried to kickstart the engine but it refused to come on.

“Fuck!” I scream out in frustration and jump out of the car, ready to transform. 

“Shift Lexi!” I growled. 

I transformed immediately and I missed my fur but it was time to save my kids. I picked my children’s scent and even heard a small voice that sounded like Camille, I could only imagine how hysterical she must be. 

After running for a bit, I found the car parked felt a little relief, and proceeded to check the vehicle. Panic rushed to my head as I checked the vehicle and found no one inside but just their backpacks but I picked up the scent of another werewolf. 

"Luna Leah?" The thought of her name filled me with dread. 

I was slowly losing my children’s scent, I ran as fast as I could to catch up but I seemed to be losing them instead, I ran faster and harder but their scent disappeared even more. I began to question if I could even still smell them at all and if it was my mind playing tricks on me. 

The sun began to go down and still nothing, I was far from my car and far from my kids. In defeat, I ran back to where the wine car was and transformed back into my human nature. 

I picked up my baby's backpack and held it close to me and another set of fresh hot tears hit me and began to fall. 

“Colvin! Camille!!” I screamed into the woods and only my echo was returned to me.