Storm Born Book One

Chapter 8

The stronghold loomed large in the distance filling Edward's heart with joy it had been a difficult journey and he could not wait to feel his mate in his arms again he had not seen her for almost a month. He needed to breathe in the scent of her to calm the growing anxiety he had been feeling from his wolf, he may be a big strong Alpha wolf but he was a big softie at heart and wanted nothing more than his mate and a home full of pups.

He had never aspired to be an Alpha it was not the role he had been raised to, but he was determined to do his best for his people even if that meant he would not be able to devote the time he would like to his own family. The times he would be apart from her would be hard he accepted that but the reunions? now they would be the sweeter for the parting. he kicked his horse into a canter he could hear Liam's horse behind him doing the same as they rushed to the stronghold to be reunited with their mates. leaving Dominic and Joseph to bring the refugees the rest of the way to the stronghold.

In the distance, He saw the gate fling open and a small figure in the gateway, Darius he discerned followed by Rosalind and Alaria. The tiny Fey woman had come out of her shell a lot in the months since she had been mated with Liam, though she was still shy they were perfect together, she benefited from Liam's natural vitality and exuberance and he benefited from her calming influence they balanced each other.

As he approached the gate he slowed his horse to a stop and leapt from his saddle rushing to scoop Rosalind into his arms as much as her huge belly would allow. He buried his face into her neck and breathed in her scent. His wolf purred with content to be in her arms again. Pulling back he placed a hand on her belly the pup moved within her but something else caught his attention the heartbeat, where before he had only heard one heartbeat he could now hear two. Twins? Did Rosalind know?  If not for his wolf-enhanced hearing he would never have noticed e but one heartbeat was slightly out of sync with the other.

''They must have been more synced before'',  he thought. He smiled overjoyed and scooped her into his arms ''we are having two pups Rosalind'' he grinned ''I swear I had only heard one heartbeat before but there are two".

She placed her hand on her stomach the pregnancy had been tiring lately and she had less and less energy was it really because she was carrying two babies?

"Father"

A pair of arms clutched about his waist and he turned to hug the boy to him,  '' Darius! I have missed you too very much how have you been? I hope you have been looking after your mother?" he said ruffling the boy's hair.

"He has been doing an excellent job taking care of me he is even more fussy than you Edward she chuckled.

"I am glad to hear it son I shall need you to help a lot in the coming weeks with our new pack".

"I will'' the boy said seriously turning his gaze to the steady stream of wagons approaching the stronghold there are so many of them Father" he whispered

"And more possibly to come, you will be happy to know Darius there are over fifty children in the group."

"Can I go see" Darius bounced excitedly.

Edward chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm, ''Soon let us get them all settled first they have all had a very long journey here Darius most of it they have walked. There will be time enough for you to make new friends".

Darius nodded though his fidgeting suggested that the agreement to wait was hard his natural inclination was to live in the moment and he could be over-enthusiastic and impatient.

''Rosalind you should go back inside and rest'', Edward's concern for her shone in his eyes she was heavily pregnant standing around for long periods must surely not be good for her he thought.