Millie’s POV
“He placed her carefully on the table. She needs help, he told me. But he didn’t need to tell me. I could see she needed help. She was bleeding so badly.
He dashed back to the front door. Shouting that he had to hide her sent from the rogues. He kissed me before he ran off. I panicked for our safety when he said rogues were chasing her, but I also panicked for his seeing as he planned on luring them away. It was when Roni rolled onto her back to reveal her huge pregnant stomach, I forgot about the rogues when I saw how pregnant she was.
I set to work on the wounds I thought I could heal, but it had been years since I had to heal anyone. Aidan never needed this skill of mine, as his wolf healed any injuries he had. Her wounds were so deep and there were so many. She told me one of the rogues was in his human form and he used a silver dagger to cut her. He also dipped it in silver shards to make sure her wolf couldn’t heal her.
She was struggling to breathe and could only speak to me in short sentences. She told me I was to save her baby. My heart broke at that instant. She knew she was dying and wanted me to save her unborn child. I told her, if it came to that, I promised her I would do whatever was necessary to save her baby.
I tried, I really did, Lottie, but I couldn’t heal her wounds.” Tears were streaming down my face. “I eventually relented and told her I couldn’t heal her and that she was going to die.
She was becoming more breathless, but she screamed at me to deliver the baby. That the baby had a chance even if she didn’t. I can hold it before I say goodbye, she said.
I gave her every painkiller I could find that wouldn’t hurt the baby. But it must have still been painful as I delivered her a healthy, screaming baby girl.” I looked at Lottie, cupping her face. “I placed you in her arms, alive and well. ‘Hello Charlotte, welcome to the world.’ your mom said to you.
She made me promise to take care of you until your 18th birthday. This was my way of returning her favor all of those years ago. She said you were a gift to the world and would be in danger until you got your powers.
How could I refuse this amazingly brave woman who knew she was dying, and her only wish was to gaze upon her baby. I supported her as she held you.” Tears were streaming down my face. “It wasn’t long before she stopped breathing.”
I took care of you while I was waiting for Aidan to come back. I waited for what felt like forever, but he never returned.” I was an emotional mess as I remembered the most awful day of my life.
“I buried Veronica in the garden and planted a rose bush above her. You know this. She deserved better, but it’s all I could do. I had just given birth, gained an extra baby and my soul mate was missing. I cried so much for weeks.
I vowed to keep my promise to Veronica as best I could. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, as I knew very little about wolves. Only what Aidan taught me, but he left that life behind. But I was going to try my best.
I was worried about you both when I had to enroll you in the human school. But you both needed an education and to learn how to socialize. As Caren was only a day older, it was easy enough to pass you both as twins. The only resemblance between the two of you was your eye color was the same. But no one ever questioned me because of the one similarity.”
I opened the box in front of me, pulled out a few pictures belonging to me and Aidan. “I kept these tucked away, as I didn’t want them to get damaged. Once he was gone, it was tough for me to look at them. But I am ready to show them to you both now.”
I pulled out about 20 pictures and placed them on the table for the girls to see. The towel I was using to wipe my eyes on was drenched. I knew it was only going to get wetter. It was so hard seeing the picture of my soul mate. Happy, laughing, full of life. He should have been here these years, watching our daughter grow up. The thing that kept me going was that I had a small piece of him to care for. She looked so much like him, especially his eye color.
The last 2 pictures in the box were from Aidan’s youth. He told me they were his best friends. No matter what, they had each other’s backs. “There was Aidan, Riley, Amy and Roni, your biological mom Lottie.” I handed her the pictures.
I looked at Caren, “Caren Amy, after my mom Caren. Who I left back home. Amy after one of Aidan’s best friends.” I looked at Lottie. “I named you Charlotte. At your mom’s request, Lottie and I added Veronica after her. She was the bravest woman I ever met. I hope I stayed true to the promise I made to her.” I was an emotional wreck by that point. They both stared at the pictures in front of me before coming and hugging me. I am not sure how long we stayed there for. But Lottie pulled away before Caren. They were both crying.
Lottie placed the pictures on the fireplace and asked if she could go for a run, seeing that she had a lot to think about. How could I say no? I have just told her the most painful thing I have ever experienced in my life and I only played a part in it. “Sure, sweetheart.” I told her.
Lottie’s POV What a bombshell our mom landed on us this afternoon. I didn’t know what to expect, but I don’t think I was expecting all of that! Both me and Caren got a lot out of the conversation though. I know I never knew what happened to my biological mom. But I don’t think Caren ever knew what happened to her dad, either. It must have been hard for our mom. I guess that is why she hasn’t told us before. She lost her soul mate while he diverted the rogue’s attention away from my mom. She raised me based on a promise. Our mom and her soul mate perfectly matched each other. Aidan was brave, he must have been. Mom is brave and loyal. She has strong morals, which she teaches us. I can’t imagine the life Caren would have had if they had both raised her. But then again, I can’t imagine my life being any other way. They have always been there for me. Mom raised us alone and did a great job, in my opinion. But here she was, a crying wreck, telling me how I came to be in he
Maddox’s POV Here she was pouring her heart out to me and I just laughed at her. I did offer to help her with some things she was struggling with. “How can you help me?” She asked. “Remember the wolf from the valley, the big black scary one you said was a good boy?” “Yeah, but he wasn’t that scary. More like a big puppy, really,” she replied. “Who is she calling a puppy?” Xavier asked me. “That was Xavier. He’s my wolf and he is pretty scary.” She looked confused. “Let’s start at the beginning. Do you have a wolf? Maybe voices in your head started when you were about 16. I guess you’re not part of a pack, seeing as you know practically nothing about what you are.” “I hear a voice when I need to be cautious or am in danger like last night, but not any other time. I live with my mom and sister. Not sure what makes us a pack. Mom is a witch, Caren is a hybrid, 50% witch and 50% wolf. I know my mom was a wolf but know nothing about my dad, so I could
3 days until birthday Lottie POV I feel so tired. Thank goodness it’s Friday. One more day in that hell hole and then the weekend. I went downstairs to find Mom and Caren having breakfast. “Are you joining us sweetheart?” mom asked. “Thanks for yesterday.” I told her as I sat down. “I know it can’t have been easy and I know it hasn’t been easy raising us over the years. On a positive note, I met someone last night. He is offering to help me with the wolf stuff.” Caren started choking on her cereal. “What?” I explained to Mom and Caren about the wolf attack in the valley a few nights ago and meeting a man on my run last night, as well as his offer to help me figure out my future. When I looked at Mom, she was just staring at me with her jaw open. “Come on, Caren, we’re going to be late for school. Bye mom.” She sat there, staring at me in silence. As we got to school and were about to part ways, Caren turned to me and said, “They’re only human”. I hate thi
Parker’s POV I can’t believe Caren still wants to protect the humans, even after everything they put Lottie through. There was no need for what that girl and her friends had done to Lottie. I am very surprised she stayed so calm. Especially after seeing her in action the other night. Caren, being a wolf/witch hybrid, is different. I have never met a witch before. I was always told to avoid them, as they are an angry, selfish species who only think of their coven. Historically, there has always been disagreement and fighting between the species, so the two avoid each other at all costs. But Caren isn’t like the witches I have heard about. She protected Lottie. She defended her not with magic but with her fists. As a wolf, she is weak. She is probably on a par with a human. I like the pair of them and not just because I think Lottie is Maddox’s mate. They are different. The afternoon was quite amusing in this high school, though. The girls were flirting like crazy wi
Maddox’s POV “Hey Maddox, fancy meeting the monster-in-law?” Is what I hear Parker ask through our mind link. Not really, I want to say. But I want to see Lottie again. Xavier also tells me he would like an ear scratch again, maybe even a belly rub. I reminded him she doesn’t have a wolf, so he needed to calm down. She may not even be our mate. But if she needs guidance. I am more than willing to be there for her, maybe even when the clock strikes midnight on that day. Just to find out! Borrowing a vehicle from Alpha Hudson, I drove to Lottie’s house. I was possibly getting to know my future mother-in-law. I parked next to Parker’s SUV and walked toward the house. Lottie came bounding down the path and punched me in the face. It was quite feeble, really. “You have some explaining to do, mister.” I rubbed my jaw, pretending it hurt. “You sent Parker to spy on me?” She was not happy. “It’s a good job he’s funny, otherwise Caren may have killed him. She was in a foul mood af
Maddox’s POV I walked out of the house after my informal chat with Millie. When I mean informal, I mean she threatened my life. But I understand her motives. I do not approve of her actions, though. Then again, she is a witch and I am not familiar with their customs. What I am familiar with is wolf customs, and that right now is what my beautiful future mate is waiting for me. Me and Xavier concluded while we were in there that Lottie had to be our mate, as we wouldn’t have tolerated being treated that way. “What was all that about?” Lottie asked with her hand on her hips. The clothes she was wearing, showing off every part of her body in a good way. I mean, I don’t want anyone looking at her. But I admire the view. “Your mom just wanted to check I would not hurt you, that’s all.” She didn’t need to know about the rest. “She has invited me to come spend the weekend with her to help you understand your wolf side and what to expect.” I noticed Parker and Caren sparr
Xavier’s POV I more or less trotted beside her. She was going at a reasonable pace for a human, even if she would have a wolf in a few days. It had just started getting dark when she stopped running. We were miles from everything. She sat down, patting the space for me to come and join her. Which I happily did. Right now, I had her attention, not Maddox, and I was going to relish the experience. She ran her hand through my fur. If she had a wolf right now, I would have mated with her at that minute. Every place she touched sent a tingle to my core. “Keep control,” Maddox screamed in my head. I did the only thing I could do. I laid down on the ground. But as she was already sitting next to me, her stroking became more vigorous. She must have thought I liked it and I really, really did. “Maddox, I need help.” “This is what you wanted, now deal with it.” he tells me. Which is no use at all right now. “How do I do this, Xavier?” Lottie asked me, stroking my head. Never mi
Caren’s POV I can’t believe mom let Lottie go off with him. What is she thinking? He is a stranger. She must have her reasons, though. I am sure she will tell me soon enough. She doesn’t keep secrets from us. In the meantime, I have Parker to entertain me. We are sparring in the garden. It makes a change from fighting with Lottie. He is a good fighter, so much better than me and Lottie combined. But what he wasn’t expecting was my barrier. He can’t lay a finger on me, seen as I know when he is about to attack. His face is funny when he gets frustrated. He is sweating as he is trying really hard to hit me, but can’t even come close. Lottie is gone for a while, it’s dark when she returns. She sits outside by her mom’s rosebush, talking to Maddox. At least I know he brought her home safely. Mom sat me down and told me about her conversation with Maddox, and how he thinks he is Lottie’s mate and that she may choose to go with him. My heart drops. She could leave me. But I