Chapter 40
ELEIA’S POV
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Waking up on a half deflated blow up mattress was very awkward , my half is sunken in and I had to slide off it to get off .
Every chance of getting up , I fall over due to sinking in , feeling the floor beneath me .
Raising with a grunt , I stand frozen as I stare at the empty beds where the children are suppose to be .
“Aiden ?” I screech as I stomp out of the living room , my b***d raising as I rush through the house , freezing when I hear giggles and laughter coming from the kitchen , the smell of bacon luring me inside to see all the children sitting at the island , eating pancakes and bacon .
I smile as he makes small talk with them , “So what do you kids want to do today ?”
I could tell that he was nervous to talk to them , he was smiling the entire time while looking on edge .
“Can we have a tour ? I like knowing where everything is .” A boy smiles and my heart sinks as Aiden freezes , looking at him with a soft smile .
“Of course , any other suggestions ?” He asks , looking at every one of them , smiling like he has a plan .
No one else says anything , “So if there’s nothing else , would you like to go to a nearby pond ? Can you guys swim ? We can take a picnic basket if you like .” He shrugs and when his eyes find mine , a deep blush coats his cheeks .
“Hi .” It’s like we’re frozen in time as we stare at one another .
“Come here .” He nods his head to the side and I stride towards him , smiling at the kids .
“Good morning little ones .” I smile and they all say hi in union .
“So are we heading to the pond ?” I shake my shoulders in excitement and they all smile , nodding .
I can’t believe that yesterday these kids were terrified and today they are happy .
“Are the other kids coming too ?” I glance at Aiden and he stares at me , glancing at the kids and then back at me again .
“We can invite them .” He shrugs carelessly , “Then we’ll need chaperones . I’ll ask Rosie and Stefan .” I smile , raising onto my toes before placing a k**s on his cheek .
He secretly squeezes my behind , making me grin as I walk away .
I slowly ascend the stairs and head to their room , slowly knocking as I hope that they are okay and awake .
My bladder feels full and just as I’m about to turn and head to our room , Rosie opens the door , looking tired , her hair a mess , her eyes barely open .
“What is it ?” She yawns , stretching her arms above her head .
“We’re taking some kids to the pond , we need more people to look after them . See you at ten .” I smile before turning around , leaving her without an option as I rush up the stairs .
My heart stops as my foot slips and my hand shoots out in front of me , grabbing the edge of the stair , my knee hitting the sharp edge as my other hand holds onto the railing for dear life .
My heart is pounding in my ears , my chest heaving as I try to focus on relaxing .
I didn’t fall , I slipped .
I am fine .
I just have to get up… but what if I get up and I fall again ?
My eyes squeeze shut as I think of how to safely get up from my position as my knee is on the edge of the step .
I slowly pull my leg closer before using one foot to steady myself and I blow out heavy breaths as I stand .
Well that was close…
Walking into the room with shaky legs , I shut the door behind me before using the bathroom and only when I wash my hands , I feel the stinging on my knees when I’m fully calm .
I step back from the counter , looking down at my scraped knee that’s slowly healing .
I sigh , shaking my head as I just walk to the bed , the soft looking mattress that’s inviting me over into it’s embrace .
I glance at the door , shrugging as I climb onto the bed and it’s welcoming and comfortable . I can lay down for a minute .
I snuggle into the pillow and just as my body fully relaxes , the door opens and Aiden tuts , smiling as I stare at him guiltily .
“Come on , we have to get dressed .” He nudges me and I sigh , sitting up .
“I’m just tired .” I yawn , standing before striding over to the closet and I get dressed in a pair of shorts and a oversized t-shirt .
“Stunning as always .” He k****s me , making me feel like the prettiest girl alive , even if I am fat now .
After gathering clothes for the kids and asking the rest to join , they did and we all take a walk to the pond .
Stefan , a few other warriors and Aiden walk in front while Rosie slowly walks with me at the back , we have no reason to believe that there are any danger , but it’s just for safety .
Arriving at the pond , the guys throw out blankets and towels and those who can swim run and dive into the pond .
It’s cold and most of the snow melted , but for us wolves , it’s just cool .
We are mostly heaters , men more than the women and I giggle as the girls join me and Rosie on the blankets while the men make a fire beside us .
We eat and laugh and play board games until it’s noon .
Gathering all the kids after eating , I notice a girl and a boy gone .
Two teenagers and I grab onto Rosie’s arm as I glance around .
“What’s wrong ?” She asks when she saw the frantic look on my face .
“Two kids are gone .” I mutter as I pace , “Who ?” She asks and I frown , I can not remember their names…
“I don’t know their names , but they were sitting one side , eating and now they’re gone .” I heave and Aiden strides towards me , grabbing my shoulders , “Take a breath , what’s wrong ?” He asks and I inhale deeply , trying to focus on remembering their names .
“The two , brown hair girl and boy , they are gone , they were right here .” I motion to where they sat .
“Did they go swim ?” Rosie asks , striding towards the empty pond .
“Relax , we’ll find them .” Aiden cups my cheeks , “Stefan , come with me , the rest , take the kids home .” He demands and all the little kids huddle around Rosie and I , mostly me .
The walk back feels like forever while I think of where the two might have run off to .
Maybe they want to go home , but it’s no abandoned and filled with dead people .
“Relax , they couldn’t have gone far .” Rosie takes my hand and I sigh , looking at her , “They are wolves , they could be long gone and all we wanted to do was give them another home .” I sigh , “Now they might be dead if someone else got them because people will think they are rogues .” I wipe the coat of sweat off my forehead .
“Aiden and Stefan will find them , relax .” She gives my hand a squeeze and all I can feel is exhaustion when we make it home .
The kids who slept over at our house last night gather around me , “Are we having another sleepover ?” The girl asks and I smile at them , “Maybe next week , but first we have to find great homes for each and every one of you . People here are loving and caring just like the alpha and I and we want to share you all with everyone because every one of you are special .” I smile and Rosie just stands there , looking at me with a warm smile .
“What if they don’t love us ?” A little girl asks and I kneel , holding my arms out to her .
“They will and I do . Once a month we will have a big sleepover for all the kids , alright ?” I smile and the girl hugs me .
“Can you watch the kids while I ask who’s available for fostering ?”
Rosie nods , “Let me show you where my mate and I are building our home , it’s not nearly done , but the foundation has been completed today and I guess that’s the roughest thing .” She beams while leading them to the construction site and I can’t help but smile .
I wonder if she knows that kids aren’t that into building .
I mind link the entire pack , asking whoever is available to meet me in front of our home and at least ten couples come , which is more than enough because the rest of the kids got foster homes yesterday .
“Hi .” I greet everyone and Rosie bring the kids back , “So those who don’t have homes , come here .” I wave them over and the seven come forward , “We had these kids spent with us last night , and we want to do a big slumber party every month will all the kids , so these need homes .” I smile at the couples who smile back , but not at me , their smiles are towards the kids .
“Unfortunately there are only seven .” I chew on my bottom l*p .
“We just came here in case there wasn’t enough , we thought you needed us but we don’t really want kids .” Some man scratches his head , smiling guiltily , “That’s okay , you came to help and that is what matters .” I smile and he nods , taking his kid’s hand and they leave .
“So not everyone will get a child to foster .” I clap my hands and turn to the kids , “I don’t know how you want to do this , you want to say hi and see if you are comfortable ?” I ask the kids and they nod .
It’s like magic as they choose their parents and all of them get along , two other couples staring with side eyes but with smiles at the new families getting along .
“I do apologise .” I walk up to them and they say it’s okay , clearly when it’s not and they head home .
“Now if you feel it’s too much , please talk with a guidance councillor , or even me , my door is always open .” I smile and I watch as they all head home .
The kids got around very fast and I love seeing new families form .
Rosie throws her arm around me , “You did good .” She rests her head against mine .
“We did good .”
She snorts , standing upright , “I did nothing , you got these kids homes , paired them with nice people .” The tears in her eyes make my heart clench , “Did you want a kid ?” I ask and she rolls her eyes , aggressively wiping her cheeks .
“No , but I am afraid that I can’t have kids .” She gulps and my heart drops into my stomach , “Rosie..” I sigh , pulling her into a hug , “I’m sorry .” I try to stop my own tears forming in my eyes , but it’s no use .