Truly

Chapter 36

~Toni

When people found out about me having twins, they were ecstatic. But then they found out. Max once again found a mysterious note on his desk informing us that the rogues knew about me carrying twins. This worried us as only family and close friends knew about this so one of them had to be the traitor. How could one of our friends or relatives do that to us? Want to have us killed.

For days, I didn't want to show my face. Pack members would ask after me but those protecting me would answer with the same phrase 'the Luna is ill'. In truth, I didn't want to face anyone. I was having a hard time processing the news from the rogues. The only thing that got me through it, was my friends. Most days, I would find myself in my room, talking to the girls, acting like normal gossiping teenage girls.

"So come on Daisy, any boys catching your eye?" Ruby pestered for the billionth time.

"I told you there weren't when you asked me the first time." Daisy laughed.

"There has to be someone." I said.

"As long as it isn't Josh, he's my mate." Roxy said, jokingly.

"As long as it isn't Max, he's my mate and my pups' dad." I laughed and everyone else laughed.

"I wouldn't dare come between a pregnant woman and her mate." Daisy put her hands up in defence.

"Good!"

"Now talking of pups, when are you and Josh going to be announcing?" Ruby stared and Roxy.

"Yeah, no. We haven't even thought about it."

"Really? Even when we were at Shadow Pack you two were all over each other. I thought you would be announcing that you were expecting days after you burst into my room saying he had marked you."

"And then you kept it from me that Max marked you. I'm your BEST friend!"

"Who are we? Next door neighbours?" Ruby interjected.

"Roxy, you have always been my best friend, but now, so are Ruby, Lizzie and Daisy. Don't offend them please." I laughed.

"Speaking of my sister. Have any of you heard from Lizzie?"

"No." We all answered.

"She's coming to visit." Ruby squealed.

"Now way! When? How long for?" I asked.

"Tomorrow and I believe until after the birth of the little Newcombes." This time, it was my time to squeal. I was going to have the last of my best friends there for the birth of my children. I couldn't wait.

**********************

Looking at the time on my phone, I smiled. Lizzie and Rich were due to arrive at any moment and I couldn't wait. Max was over the moon when I told how long Lizzie was staying for. He knew that she was coming but didn't know that she would be staying for so long.

Sitting on the bed, I looked once again at the time. Knowing I couldn't put it off any longer and that I just wanted to see my friend, I ventured outside the room. Stepping into the hall, I noticed my mum in the kitchen. She saw me too and came over to me. I thought she was going to say something about me locking myself into my room like a stroppy teenager. But that was just my thoughts. Instead, she just pulled me into a hug and held me there

"Max has told me everything. Oh darling. I am so sorry for everything you are going through. You're twenty, for crying out loud. You are too young. You shouldn't have to go through any of this." She sighed and then pulled away from the hug and held my shoulders. "You are strong, Toni. Max is too. You will both get through this and so will both of your pups. You two will watch the two of them grow up and maybe even watch others running around with them. But then as they grow older, you will watch your grandchildren grow up. You and Max will defeat this threat that is looming over your pack and with your strength, the pack will get even stronger then they are now."

Nearly crying, I pulled mum back into our embrace and then laughed as I felt my dad wrap his hands around the both of us.

"My two favourite girls nearly in tears and hugging. What a rare moment." He laughed. Sadly, it was true. Whenever I needed anything when I was younger, I turned to my dad. But there I was, turning to my mum for a shoulder to cry on.

"It must be the pregnancy." I laughed as I pulled away.

It was then when I heard a car pulling up outside. Smiling, I walked outside. I hadn't even stepped fully outside the door before I had a face full of Lizzie's hair.

"TONI!" I hugged her back but with only half the force. Anyone would think we hadn't seen each other in years, not months.

"Careful, Lizzie. I love you and everything but careful of the precious cargo." Max laughed as he came up behind us and placed a hand on my back.

"Precious cargo? The weirdest comment by an over-overprotective mate and father award must go to you." Lizzie smirked at her brother

"Hey, there is no problem with worrying about my mate or unborn pups."

"You don't have to make it weird. Calling the pups precious cargo is just uncalled for."

"If this is a Newcombe sibling argument, I think Alec and I should take a leaf out of your book." I mumbled.

"Will this Alec be making an appearance anytime soon? I am yet to meet this sibling." Lizzie turned on me.

"You don't have to meet my brother."

"With what I have heard about him, I want to know if he will be a good uncle to the twins."

"The most over-protective auntie goes to you then." Max smirked.

"Shut up Max." I then turned to Lizzie, "He is a big kid himself. Alec will have a great time running around with the pups."

Lizzie left it at that and walked into the house. Ruby practically attacked her sister and after Roxy and Daisy had joined the hug, I decided to allow myself to join the massive group hug. We then ordered all of the boys out of the house so we could have a girls night. We put on a rom-com and the girls opened a bottle of champagne. Of course, I had some sparkling orange juice. For the first time in a long time, I felt like a normal person. Someone who wasn't a Luna. Someone who wasn't about to be a part of a war that was raging just around the corner. Someone who wasn't wanted dead by a pack of rogues. I just felt normal.