(Book 2) – Chapter 71
“Knock, Knock.” I barely registered someone was at the door before the knocking sound happened again but louder.
“Ryder, open up. We need to talk.” Asher growled out.
I heard Koda growl behind me in response to Asher’s tone. I bristled even though I knew this talk was needed and was going to completely suck. At least they decided to come talk instead of just leaving like I told them to. I just hoped we all made it through the
talk without any bloodshed. Blue told me she made no promises.
“Baby girl. We all need to talk.” Edgar pleaded. “My wolf needs his mate before he goes feral with all the feelings that are making him feel so lost.”
I nodded at Koda to open the door while I headed into the bathroom. Even though I was only a few weeks pregnant these dang babies were growing fast right on my bladder. I see a lot of pee breaks in our future road trips which will irritate the piss out of the twins so that is a plus.
“Where is she?” Kane asked Koda as I heard them walking around the room.
“Bathroom.” Koda stated flatly.
“She running from us even though she wanted his talk?” Andrew asked getting louder the closer he got to the bathroom. What an a*s.
I ripped the door open before Koda could answer. “No, your PREGNANT WITH TWINS mate has to pee more often due to the BABIES!” I swear sometimes these guys were idiots.
Knox looked over at me and he looked terrible. His eyes looked dull with black underneath like he hadn’t slept at all. He looked pale and weak like a stiff wind could knock him over. Looking around they all looked like that minus a few had angry looks going on. I was just going to ignore that s**t.
“Ryder, maybe you should sit down.” Knox asked looking at the couch he was standing beside.
“Only if you sit next to me.” I countered putting some whine in my voice. “I need you.” He collapsed on the couch patting the seat beside him. I ran and jumped onto the seat putting my legs on top of his.
He laughed and pulled me in for a hug. “I missed you, doll. I know I overreacted, and I need to do better. I love you.” He whispered into my hair. His warm breath sent flutters down my spine.
“I love you.” I replied avoiding saying it was ok but it wasn’t. “We will work together on getting better communication and the things that are a no-fly zone.”
“No fly zone? Us keeping you safe is a no-fly zone?” Blake growled out walking behind me. Like towering over me was going to change my mind.
Koda ran over and shoved him into the empty seat on the couch. “We will NEVER use intimidation on our loved ones you a*s hat. Now if you want to talk do it like a damn adult or you can leave.” Koda warned kissing me on the top of my head and taking the spot Knox was at standing beside the couch.
Blake just glared at him as he righted himself and faced my back. I wasn’t even going to waste the energy to turn around. Seeing his face filled with anger and disappointment would break my spirit. I felt his hand on my back but Blue growled at him to back off before I could even react.
“Ryder, we have to talk. All of this is nuts. Why won’t you let us protect you?” Blake pleaded. “It is our job as Alpha’s and your mates. Why won’t you want our babies to make it? How could you endanger them?”
“Low blow, A*****e.” I growled. I tucked in even closer to Knox seeking his warmth and love. He smelled so f*****g good. “Have you thought about all the other mothers out there watching their kids get taken as slaves by the witches or killed for fun by the vampires? Do they not deserve justice? Do they not deserve to see their children and grandchildren not just live but thrive as a werewolf?”
“We aren’t asking for that to happen or do we want to hinder them getting a better life.” Kane argued. “We just want you safe and we can win the war with you being safe.”
“When you ask me, the royal with the powers and the strength to win this war without killing most of the wolves fighting, then you are asking all the other mothers, children, fathers, grandparents, and more to watch their family die.” I argued putting the sorrow I felt into every word. “Don’t you get that need..have to do this for our children and their futures. I am the only way this ends and that is something you will just have to come to understand.”
“Kane, knock your s**t off. You know what dad said about her being the end of this. The only thing we can do is be there for her.” Knox growled out. “She is our future.”
Asher walked over to stand in front of me before falling down to his knees. I heard him whimper and I knew he was crying. “I don’t want to see you get hurt on the battle field nor do I want to see my children die. What can we do if not lock you away somewhere safe so that we can focus on the battle and come home to all of us in one piece?” He wept barely holding his sobs in.
I reached out and rubbed his hair. “We work together. First step is calling our parents to let them know I am pregnant so they can plan for that and we can celebrate a little. Second is calling the twins dad to find out how long my pregnancy lasts since everything royal is always different plus it is twins. Third is talking to Melissa and a few other witch friends to find out what spells or potions we can use to keep my buns in the oven safe while I beat some b***d sucker a*s.”
“Hey!” Edgar teased as he came over to kneel in front of the couch beside Asher.
“Oh, hush, You are my b***d sucker so it is ok.” I smirked at his surprise face of me claiming him with him acting like an a*s. “This can’t be the way you react to things. We have to communicate or else we will never be happy. That isn’t something I want. What about you guys?” I felt hope filling my heart which was scary since they still seemed so tense and angry.
They all looked at each other before looking back at me. They must have been mind linking each other. Once they all smiled it felt like time stopped and my heart beat slowed down.
“we agree that we need to do better. We are sorry for how we acted.” Asher told me as he put his head on my knee. “Forgive us?”
I thought about it giving them time to really stress over it. I could see their bodies tensing up and their smiles falling. I hated being this mean but I was along for almost 48 hours replaying how they acted over and over until I couldn’t cry anymore.
“Please, baby? I need you. I f****d up and I will do anything!” Edgar pleaded. Andrew added on a please.
“How about you all take care of me and remark me with promises to do better with communication and then we will move forward?” I answered. I couldn’t help that I was extra horny and needed extra loving after all this s**t. I planned to wear their asses out and maybe do some funny permanent marker drawings on their faces.
The guys had smirks on their faces as they stood but Koda ruined it all. “Sorry, sweetie. That will have to wait till tonight. You all need to call your families to get this ball rolling. Also mother invited us to dinner. My brother made it back….with a female he is taking as his chosen mate.” He looked scared to even tell me that but I was over it. I had the better brother anyway. “I love you and I want to show you off. Plus I love getting my brother riled up so I can take a few swings at him.”
“Only if we get to as well.” Blake smiled darkly.
“Deal. Let me get dressed while you call your families. I will call my mom while I am getting dressed. She will want a belly picture even if it is still the same size stomach as before.” I teased as I headed toward my suitcase. “And I get to tell him who I really am to watch his face fall.” They all laughed with me and agreed.
“I love you, Ryder. You have my heart and soul. I need you like I need air to breathe.” Asher stated with a sad smile. “I know how we acted in the last 48 hours doesn’t really show that and I know that. My wolf has been pissed at me since we walked out. He is proud of you for being such a strong mate. He knows the pups will be safe with you no matter what you decide and he will give his life to make sure of that. As would i.”
“Agreed.” The rest of my mates said. They all looked sad and upset at themselves.
“You all are the reason I am who I am today. There is no me without any of you.” I responded in tears. “I need to know I didn’t disappoint you. I know I have let my parents down in several ways and even let down werewolf kind but it is you guys I need to know that I haven’t messed up in some way.” I hated feeling so unsure of myself and I hated that I had to share some of my stupid thoughts with them.
“First off, you have NEVER been a disappointment to anyone. I am sorry that was said to you out of anger. You have learned to be a wolf quicker than most would and you have learned to love all of us even with all of our faults.” Edgar told me as he walked over to me. “You are truly amazing. Now this discussion will be held later as we keep pleasing you and praising you in this big a*s bed. For now you need to call your mother for more than one reason.”
I smiled. “Thank you.” I went back in the closet and shut the door. I knew they would hear my tears and fears as I spoke to my mother but I was ok with that now.