Page 57

“That’s impossible,” he breathed. He stood frozen in his spot as he stared at me.

“It’s true,” I said.

“Show me,” he said, ready to run out in the streets in what he was wearing. He would stand out like a sore thumb, especially in the area I lived in with Lio and his pack.

“I just wanted you to know before I left Howl’s Edge,” I said.

“I need to see them,” he insisted.

“But look at what you’re wearing,” I said. “They’ll stake you on sight.”

“Can you find me something to wear then?” he said, his eyes desolate. “If I can’t have you, let me see my children before you leave. I don’t have anyone in my life right now.”

Especially after what he did to save me. And I knew he was downplaying what happened, but it pained my soul to see him so hurt like this. Physically and mentally, they’ve worn him down. And the confession of his feelings didn’t make my decision any easier.

“Alright,” I said. “I’ll try to find something, but they’ll be awake soon.”

Just then, my phone vibrated in my jeans pocket, and I pulled it out, seeing a text from Owen that the babies were awake.

“Shit, the babies are awake.”

“That’ll be perfect then,” said James.

We stood at the front of the house.

James was wearing a large black hat that flopped over his eyes, a pair of pants, and a shirt that I had bought on the way to the house. I could feel the excitement radiate off his body as we stood at the door. I checked to make sure Lio and Markus weren’t home before getting out of the car.

“Are you ready?” I asked him.

“More than ready,” he said.

I unlocked the door, and I could hear the babies cooing upstairs with Owen singing to them in his deep voice. I smiled, loving that he enjoyed every minute of being with them.

“Stay here,” I said to him as I rushed up the stairs. I went inside the room and saw that Owen had the babies on the floor doing tummy time for their crawling exercises.

“Look at June,” he said proudly.

“Owen, I have someone here to see them,” I said quickly.

“What?”

“It’s the father of these children. He wants to see them quick,” I said.

“No, the hell he does not,” argued Owen in a low voice. “Why the fuck did you bring a vampire to this house? We areallgoing to be thrown in prison or killed.”

Chapter 26

James

Itblewmymindthat she was pregnant the day I left her at the heat clinic. In my heart, I knew I shouldn’t have left her.

She was mine even before she stepped foot into the heat clinic.

I had already gone up the steps before Alana could call me inside the room. I knew she wanted to warn whoever was in the room. I couldn’t believe I had babies. A family at long last. A family that I couldn’t have.

As I stood outside the door, I could hear the harsh whisperings inside as they discussed me. I couldn’t wait any longer, and I twisted the doorknob open. The beta looked at me in shock as I strode inside, my focus on the babies. Alana picked up one of them from the floor, and the baby clutched her arms when he saw me. He had on blue overalls, and he peeked over her shoulder to look at me.

My jaw dropped.