2

AXEL

"Where are you taking me?" Lanie wined. In her defence, I made her trek through the backcountry while seven months pregnant. 

"well, it's not my fault you got yourself knocked up." I loved teasing her, she got so wound up sometimes, and her face would get all pink and frustrated. I wanted some alone time with my beautiful mate, away from training and family bonding. Having one Bennet wolf was enough work but having four of them around all the time was a lot. What I learned so far is that all Benett wolves are moody! Lucy was just good at hiding it. Finally, we broke through the tree line and made it to the ridge. The trees were all changing colours, and the lakes looked like glass. I spread out a giant sleeping bag and started taking things out of my duffel bag. Thermos with hot chocolate, chocolate-covered strawberries, jelly-filled donuts. Thank you, Lucy, for making these. I looked over, and Lanie was all snuggled up in blankets and sleeping bags. She was grinning ear to ear. 

“You warm enough?”

“Yes, it's rye perfect getaway. Now get over her and keep me warm,” she ordered

“Yes, Luna! As you wish!” I snuggled in behind her, propping her up so she could still see the view. We stayed there laughing and joking about all the things losing was breaking during her training sessions. Lucy and Astrid, we're not on good terms lately, and it made things tense around the packhouse. Lanie yawned, and I knew we should get going. The sun was starting to set, and I packed up all our stuff. Lanie gazed down at the sun setting, spilling oranges, yellows, reds and pinks through the sky and over the lake. I got down on one knee in front of Lanie. 

“Lanie Bennet, when I heard of the mate bond, I really didn't know what to expect. I had no idea my heart would stop and start with a simple glance in your direction. You not only complete me in every way, but you make me a better man. I can't wait to meet our babies! I know Wolves don't typically get married, but I grew up human. So Lanie, will you marry me! 

“Oh No!” she gasped. 

“Well, alright, I didn't quite expect that since we are mates. But I respect your decision.” I kept mumbling to myself as Lanie spoke again. 

“No, Axel, of course, I'll Marry you, but my water just broke, and these babies are coming now!” 

“What? Now? But we are on the side of a mountain?” there is no way I could get her down on time. I was spiralling. I tried to mindlink anyone. When I opened my eyes, Lanie had her cell phone out and called for help. Right! Cellphones. I was going to be a terrible father. I was pulled from my thoughts when Lucy walked out of the treeline. 

”How did you?” I didn't even finish my sentence? 

“Get here so fast?” she mocked me. 

“Ya that.” I rolled my eyes at her ability to read my mind. 

“I was out on patrol when Lanie called. I wasn't too far away. Doc is on the way. But in the meantime, Lanie lay down. I can help absorb some of your pain, so you don't put the babies in distress.” 

“Is that new?” Lanie asked, grabbing Lucy's hand to help herself to the ground on the blanket that was still laid out. 

“Sort of. It's part of my healing abilities. I just didn't know how to channel it. I'm better, thanks to Liza.”

I watched as Lucy's eyes started glowing their red colour. Lanie began to relax a bit. Doc showed up in wolf form carrying her medical bag in her mouth. She shifted back and threw on a maxi dress, and got to work. I turned my back because I was not ready to witness the destruction of my mate's lady bits. 

"Axel, you seriously aren't going to look?" Lucy laughed at me. It was nice to see her smile. She had been missing Killian so much she just wore ger blank mask of indifference. 

"I would like to keep the romance alive a little longer if I can." I was glad Lanie was okay with me just holding her hand. We defiantly didn't plan on giving birth on the side of the mountain.

LUCY

I tried my best to relax, Lanie. The truth was I was exhausted. I wasn't sleeping, I missed Killian more than Id like to admit, and training was kicking my ass. I pushed everything out of my mind and focused on Lanie, calming her, healing her, protecting those babies. Out of nowhere, I felt power coming from Lanie's body, a lot of power like when Ellen loses control and zaps us with her witchy woo stuff. 

"let go of her hand, let them heal her," Astrid spoke to me, but it was so cold it felt like a stranger. 

I let go of Lanie's hand, and she screamed out in pain. 

"She is ready to push," Dr yelled at me to move and grab the clean towels. I did as I was told and watched the Dr. work. It was the most magical thing id ever seen. As I watched the birth of my niece and nephew, I was blown away by their power. They were so strong already. This could be so dangerous they are only babies. 

"They will need to be strong for what is coming," Astrid warned. 

"What's coming? What do you know?" 

"All I will say is keep training. You are getting stronger, which makes us stronger. The stronger we are, the better this will end." With that, she retreated back into my mind blocking me from asking anything else. 

"Do you want to hold your niece Lucy?" Dr asked me. 

"Yes, please!" 

"You can hold her while we ride back to the pack hospital." I didn't even see the jeep that had shown up. Axel carried Lanie into the front seat and held her close to him. The Dr. and I jumped into the back, keeping the babies close by. They were literally the cutest things id ever seen. I wondered if Killian would ever really forgive me for leaving and if we'd have a family one day. It was a bumpy ride down the mountain. I was surprised the babies weren't crying from all the jerking. When we got to the hospital, they took Lanie in and set her up in a bed with blood and IV fluids. I didn't know she lost that much blood when she had given birth, now that I noticed she did look terrible, pale and ghost-like. Axel took the babies to the nursery to be checked out and measured, and weighed. I sat down in the chair and fell asleep. I later woke up to Ellen shaking me, telling me we needed to talk. I had no idea how tired I actually was until I got up from the chair. We headed to the kitchen for coffee. 

"So Lanie is going to be just fine. I gave her some herbs to help her dampen some of the twin's power. She needs to drink them every day. It will go in her milk, and it will help her keep them in control, and they are ready to be used. The female twin is a syphon. She will suck all the magic out of Lanie's wolf until she learns to control it. The male twin is half-wolf, half warlock a hybrid. He will be very powerful Ill need to spend a lot of time with them as they grow into themselves. Lanie and Axel will not know how to help them or stop them." I passed Ellen her cup of coffee and didn't say anything; I was really just taking it all in. Could we never have just a simple day? 

I sat at the island staring into my coffee when I smelled the most delicious smell. I looked up, and there he was, those green eyes piercing my own. I swear he stares into my soul. Goddess, was it possible that he got sexier in the few weeks I'd been away. It took everything in me not to run to him. He stopped looking at me, turned and grabbed a cup of coffee while he spoke to Axel and Maddox, who both entered the kitchen with him. I should leave get changed for training, but I was so tired I just stared at Killian while sipping my coffee. Killian opened the fridge and started pulling food out. I watched him make waffles and omelettes, whipping cream and bacon. I was in a trance; I could not take my eyes off of him. He placed a big pile of eggs, waffles and bacon in front of me. 

"Axel said you've been training harder than ever and missing mealtimes. Don't move until you eat all of that, or I'll drag you home today." His voice was dripping with Alpha's aura and power. I could feel myself getting aroused just at his voice. I shovelled all the food in my mouth as fast as I could. He was defiantly mad, but I swear he did that on purpose to turn me on. I finished my food and ran to my room to get changed for training.