Sacrifice

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

                “About time you got home,” Sophia said, thrusting Izabelle into Lukas’ arms. He was the first one in the door and Sophia was eager to not have to take care of the infant any longer. She hadn’t been excited about the idea when Emma had first proposed it, but she hadn’t expected it to be so bad. Diapers and crying were things she just wasn’t meant to put up with.

                And it wasn’t just the baby. She also had Jason and Blake’s kids, Viola and Indy. She liked Indy, as the young boy didn’t talk and only wanted to sit on his own and color. Viola, on the other hand, never stopped talking and was constantly following Sophia around. While Sophia had to admit to herself it was a bit cute the way the young girl tried to imitate her, she mostly wanted to be left alone to do her work.

                “Where’s Viola and Indy?” Jason asked as soon as he was in the door.

                “They’re out back,” Sophia said.

                “By themselves?” Blake didn’t wait for a response; he headed to the back immediately.

                “What?” Sophia asked. “They were bouncing all over the place.”

                “Exactly,” Jason said. “And it’s dark out and cold and they can get out of the yard if they’re not supervised.” He also headed towards the back door.

                “Yeah, well, I’m not a damn babysitter,” Sophia said. “That’s Talon’s job.”

                “It was supposed to be Emma’s,” Talon said.

                “And after we talked about it, we decided we needed a second group for observation,” Sophia said. “It was a last minute thing and I didn’t feel like calling up any of the caretakers and making them do it, so I took them. The kids are fine.”

                “Surprisingly, yes,” Jason said, walking back inside with Indy in his arms. Blake was right behind him holding Viola, who was squirming and trying to get down.

                “Told you,” Sophia said. “I told them to stay in the yard and they did.”

                “Like that ever works,” Jason said.

                “Yeah it does,” Viola said as Blake set her down on the ground. “When Sophia says to do something, you listen. Because she’s the alpha.”

                “But you can’t listen to your parents, right?” Jason said. “Even though I’m the beta?”

                “Alpha is higher,” Viola said.

                “At least she understands how the pack works,” Lukas said.

                “Now that you’re all satisfied that your damn kids are okay,” Sophia said, “I think we’ve got some more important things to take care of. All of you in my office. I want your report on how things went. Except you, Simba. You stay here. Leave the kids, too.”

                “With him?” Jason asked.

                “I’m not leaving Izzy out here,” Talon said as he held his daughter. “And especially not with a lion.”

                “As long as she’s quiet,” Sophia said, knowing there was no way she’d convince him to leave the baby. “But the other two, they stay.”