True Identity

Chapter 11

As the weather got colder, Kestrel's nausea began to fade. Jun had died in September and the dreams of him and the others began to come less frequently. November came with the first snow of the year in New York. Kestrel began to eat more and gained her weight back, but realized she was a bit more chubby than before. Luckily it was winter and she had no need to worry. She could lose it before summer. Missions came more frequently for the Wolves with the longer nights and snow hiding them better. It wasn't until Kestrel realized she hadn't been having her period since late August did she finally put the pieces together. She was terrified, unsure of what to do. She rushed to Callida's room and knocked on the door. Callida let her in.

"What's wrong, Nia?" She asks, having refused to call her Kestrel.

Nia's eyes are wide with fear. "I... I think I'm pregnant."

Callida's eyes go wide but then a grin breaks over her face. "Nia, this is amazing!" She takes the girl's hands excitedly. "Don't you know what this means? You have a little piece of Jun, here, inside of you," she says, gently pressing Kestrel's hand against her stomach.

"But, what about Matt?" The younger girl asks softly, her voice trembling. "If he finds out, he will be furious, as will Loki."

The light drains from Callida's eyes as she realizes that it's true. "Then we can't let them know. We'll do whatever it takes."

Nia nods, bending down and hugging Callida. "Thank you, Callie," she whispers.

The next day Callida takes Kestrel to a nearby pregnancy center to get officially tested. Sure enough, she was pregnant. The girls were overjoyed and terrified at the same time. After an ultrasound, they went on a walk. The half melted snow made it hard for Callida to maneuver her chair so Kestrel pushed her.

"Maybe.... you should leave the Wolves," Callida says quietly.

Kestrel shakes her head. "No, you guys are the only family I have."

"What about the Wakandan ring your mother gave you?"

"You said yourself that it's a third world country, I'm safer here," Kestrel retorts.

Callida hesitates. "Just know that they are more than they seem," she says softly.

Kestrel shrugs. "New York is my home, and I'm not going to leave unless something drastic happens."

Callida nods and falls silent as they start back to the base.

Kestrel's phone rings and she pauses and answers, finding Matt on the other end.

"W-we g-got word of a t-target. We n-need you t-to t-take him out-t," he said.

Kestrel sighs a bit. "Okay. I'm headed back for further instructions." She hangs up and starts pushing Callida again.

"I've got it from here, Nia. You go get ready."

Kestrel nods and jogs to the base, quickly changing into more athletic clothes but pulling a puffy jacket over the tight clothes to hide her ever growing stomach. She quickly goes downstairs to report to Matt.

Matt stands as she comes into the kitchen where he's waiting. He hands her a quarter sheet of paper with an address and face. "He is t-to be t-terminated by n-nightfall."

Kestrel takes the paper and quickly memorizes the face and address.

"He's a s-scientist g-getting t-to close t-to some t-tech Loki d-doesn't want in th-the world."

Kestrel nods and hands the paper back. She goes to the weapon room and puts a knife in her left boot and a pistol on her hip, hidden under her jacket.