New Dawn In the Woods

Chapter 3

I was running through the forest; the smell of the pine trees I was whizzing past filled my nose. I could feel the lush grass being crushed beneath my paws. The moonlight illuminated my path ahead of me. Though I had run this path before it somehow felt different and strange, in a way I couldn’t quite place.  

“Alpha! Alpha! rogues were spotted at our northern border.” A large black wolf with glimmering blue eyes said as he ran to me. The faint smell of blood coming off of him. “Two of our best warriors are wounded.” He put his head down in an attempt to hide his sorrow.  Why was he calling me Alpha? 

Before I could ponder the question further, I began to speak in a voice that was not my own. “What!” I growled my voice sounded deep and gravely but boomed and echoed out throughout the forest all at once. My body began to move on it’s own. My paws dug into the earth as I could feel my muscles tighten and prepare for movement. It felt familiar and strange all at once. Then it hit me; I was dreaming and I was in someone else's body. There was no other way to describe it. Before I could finish my stunning revelation I felt my body lurch forward towards battle.  

I felt my paws hit hard against the ground as I dashed to what would inevitably be a bloodbath. It felt completely different than when I was running earlier. This time it felt full of purpose. The smell of blood brought me out of my thoughts when I arrived at the battle. There were wolves fighting all around me. Blood flowed from the wounds like a river and soaked the earth. I could see my pack members' claws and teeth shimmer and glint in the moonlight before they sank into the rogue wolves. I could also see the rogues snapping back and making my pack members blood mix with theirs. I hated seeing such a sight. No matter how hard I tried however I couldn’t get my body to move how I wanted it to. All of a sudden I heard a wolf trying to jump me from behind. I dodged him and lunged at the wolf snapping his neck. The only movement I approved of.
I suddenly woke up from my dream or was it a nightmare. I don’t know but I know that I’m covered in a cold sweat. I sat up in my bed and checked the time, four thirty in the morning. I stood up while yawning and heading off to my bathroom. I turned on the shower and got under the nice hot water. I tried to wash away that weird dream. It felt like I could still feel the blood on me. I have no idea what it meant, but it did feel so real. I was in the shower for too long because the water was turning cold so I got out. I put on a pink tank top and blue ripped jeans with sneakers. I started thinking what kind of dress I could design for Spencer. I had a few ideas I will show her when she gets up. Hours passed as I was sketching out outfits. Today is the day that Celina is finally going to the doctors for her pregnancy. I didn’t realise the time until Celina started making bacon. I walk downstairs and find her cooking. 

“Good morning,” I said. I must have startled her because she jumped a little like she wasn’t expecting me to be awake.

“Oh it's you, Good morning,” she said letting out a breath.

“Sorry didn’t mean to scare you,”

“It’s fine, I wasn’t expecting you to be up this early. What are you doing up anyway,” with a worried look.

“I...uh… have a bad dream but it felt so real. The smell of blood, the cries of the wolves, everything. Even the dirt felt real. I don’t know if it might have been a nightmare or something. Are you ready for your doctor's appointment?” I said.

“Oh sorry about the dream. Unfortunately yes. I’m so nervous. I mean what if something is wrong with my baby?” she said, stressed out.

“Don’t be. The baby is fine.” our conservation ended when the twins walked into the kitchen for breakfast.

“Good morning kiddos,” I said cheerfully.

“Good morning?” they questioned looking at me like I grew three heads. 

“What are you doing up this early?”

“I couldn’t sleep because I was excited about designing a dress for my favorite sister.” not wanting them to know about the weird dream. My siblings worry about me a lot especially since I’m so busy making sure they have a good life.

“Okay, so are you dropping us off at Amanda’s house while you go to the appointment with Celina?” they asked excitedly. Amanda was the best friend of our mom. They were pregnant at the same time so her kid and the twins grew up together. She has been a second mom to us. Her husband has been a father figure in our lives since we lost dad. I hardly remember what he looked like.

“Yes, I am. She knows you guys will be over there. I’ll drop off Celina then head to work. I’ll come get you guys after work.” I said.

“Okay.” they said stuffing their faces with pancakes and bacon. 

“Uh Celina it’s time to go. Let’s go.” I yelled.

“Okay be down in a sec.” she yelled back.

I got the twins all loaded in my car. Celina comes out in a relaxed outfit. We all rode in silence. I dropped off the kids at Amanda’s. Then headed to the hospital. I called Layton to let him know we are on our way. He is a doctor. My mom actually showed him. We are meeting with Dr. Hendez. She is a really good OBGYN at the pack hospital. She delivered the twins. We got there and led right to the room. Dr. Hendez walked in.

“Celina Wood?” she questioned. 
“Yes, that’s me.” she said quietly. 

“Ah, Rosie so glad to see you out and about. I’m sorry for your loss sweetie, your mom was a good person. So Celina you are pregnant. Well I’m going to have you pee in a cup so I can get the general idea of how far along you, then after that we will do an ultrasound. I see you have a small baby bump already.” she handed her the cup. She went to do that. We waited for a little while and she came back with the results. 

“Well, Celina you are definitely about six to seven weeks pregnant. Which would explain why you are showing. Let’s take a look about the bay shall we?” she pointed at the bed and Celina laid down. Layton finally showed up. 

“This gel might feel cold,” she said, rubbing it on her belly. Celina shivered as she placed the motor on her belly. We heard the baby’s heartbeat, but something was off.

“Wait a sec,” she paused

“What?” Celina and Layton said.

“I hear two heartbeats,” then on the screen were two little developing babies. We could see their heads, legs and umbilical cords forming. They were so cute. We also saw that they were fraternal twins because there were two amniotic sacs that protect the babies. It’s like a protective bubble for the baby. It was so incredible watching the twins move around and hearing the heartbeats. 

“Congratulations Mr. Mrs. Wood you are having twins. I will need to do a daily checkup so come back every month for the checkups. So I can make sure the twins are healthy and growing properly. At about fourteen weeks we will be able to tell the baby's gender. Celina was crying because she was happy. Layton was still in shock but he was happy. I had to leave early because something came up at the office which I now own. So my fashion business is growing. I have a fashion show coming up in a couple of months. I head to my office in the human town. They love my fashion. One of the outfits was ripped but I was able not only to fix it but hide it. There is a little boutique below the office. Thats where I sell my outfits. It’s six thirty, I lock up the office and boutique and head home to pick up the kiddos. When we get home, I see Celina and Layton making dinner for five of us to celebrate the news. While they made dinner, I went upstairs to show Spencer the drawings. She picked the first design that was a short, flowy, pink strapless dress. It will have a mint rose belt to tie it together. I heard Celina say its dinner time. We all come downstairs to eat.

“A toast to my beautiful wife, who is having twins. I couldn’t be happiers. You are the love of my life. I would do anything to protect you and our babies. I love you sweetheart.” he said. She said ‘I love you too’. We all ate dinner together chatting about baby names. Laughter filled the house. This right here is my family. I wouldn’t change a thing. I cleaned up the table and washed the dishes. Layton and Celina said their goodbyes. The twins headed up to their beds. I headed to mine. I put on my lacy black pjs I made and headed to sleep.