Children

RORY

Two weeks after the birth and I’m still enamored with every little face the babies make, every wiggle and stretch, and spit bubble. Even feeding them is enchanting, despite my sore nipples.

Part of the reason I get to be so in love is all the help I have taking care of them. Everett wants to hold them and feed them every chance he gets, of course, but it’s not just him.

Mama, Aunt Ophelia, and Freya are always available to look after them while I take a nap, walk, read, or do anything. I have a line of caretakers going out the door, really.

I get plenty of time to myself to decompress and rest, and it means I can be an even better mother. I’m incredibly grateful, even if sometimes it feels like I have to ask to hold my own baby.

Things are busy around here, even without the chaos of newborns. For days now, members of our ally packs have been arriving, with all the ceremony that entails.

They’re coming to give their good wishes to me, Everett, and the babies. We officially announced their names to the pack, but we just call them Jay and Lucy for now.

The other reason our allies are here is to perform the Alpha Circle. We’re getting it done tomorrow at sundown, a whole month ahead of Martha’s six-week countdown.

I can’t help but be nervous. The ‘blood oath’ part of the ceremony does mean we have to cut little Jay’s finger, and I just plain hate the idea of injuring my baby.

“Just a little prick on his fingertip. Just one, and then it’ll be over. He’ll be fine,” Everett keeps saying. I can tell he’s trying to convince himself as much as me.

There’s no real point in arguing. I already agreed to go through with it, and I still think it’s better than leaving him vulnerable to Martha’s plans. It just makes me sick to think about it.

Lucy stops nursing, and I give her a moment, in case she wants to change her mind. Once I’m sure she’s done, I set her down in her crib. “We’ll find a way to protect you too, sweetheart, I swear.”

Her brother already finished eating and is half asleep in his own crib. Lucy’s well on her way to joining him by the time I’ve got my shirt back in place.

“Knock knock, are you decent?” The door opens, and Freya pokes her head inside.

I laugh. Freya’s been the one helping me and the babies get the hang of nursing; she’s long since used to my boob being out. “Yep, come on in. But quietly, they’re sleeping.”

Freya comes in, Mia right behind her.

“I can’t believe it,” Mia says, looking at the cribs. “Rory’s a mom, you’re getting married.” Mia’s going to be a bridesmaid in Freya’s wedding. They really bonded after Nemesis possessed them both.

“Don’t feel bad,” I say, patting her on the shoulder. “We need your single energy to keep us young. We’ll become old ladies before you know it.”

Mia laughs. “I can picture it already.”

“Speak for yourself, Rory, I’m youthful and fibrant.” Freya checks her watch. “We should get going. Nelly and the kiddos are expecting us at the orphanage at three.”

Everett hadn’t been happy about the idea of me going to visit the orphanage. “It’s on the outskirts of the pack lands. If the Red Moon wanted to try and attack, it’s a perfect spot.”

“I’ve known those kids for a long time now, and they deserve to understand what’s going on. If this goes badly, I don’t want them to think I’ve abandoned them.”

“It won’t go bad; you aren’t going anywhere. I just can’t get behind the idea of you going around alone right now.”

“I’m not going alone. Freya and Mia are coming with me!”

“Alright.” He wrapped his arms around my waist. “Will you take a couple of guards, too? For me?”

“I can handle that compromise,” I said, kissing him.

Mama comes in with Beth, who’s been providing extra security for whoever’s looking after the babies. I can’t feel too bad about leaving them with their grandma.

“Thanks for looking after them,” I say, giving her a hug.

“Anytime, dear. You go and have fun, alright?”

We take Mia’s car to the orphanage. Orion and Cassidy are at the head of the group of kids that come and greet us. “Luna Rory! How are the babies?” they ask.

“They’re doing great, thank you. I got your cards too. They were all beautiful.” All the kids had made congratulations cards, and I keep them in a scrapbook.

Nelly gives me a warm hug as Mia and Freya distract the kids. “Congratulations, Aurora. I’m sure you’ll make a wonderful mother.”

“Thanks,” I say, squeezing her back. “I hope to do half as good as you.” I mean it, too. Every one of the kids in her orphanage is loved.

We play with the kids for a while—tag, hide and seek, tea parties, and Battleship—and I let myself forget all of my troubles for a while. I fall three times during tag, but no major injuries.

I can’t help but imagine my own children when they’re old enough to play. I wonder what kinds of things they’ll like. If they’ll be adventurous or shy. If they’ll like to read?

Eventually, the kids start to get tired, with some of the toddlers falling asleep on their feet. I’m relieved; pretty exhausted myself. I’m still not fully recovered from giving birth.

I explain what I’m hoping to do to Nelly, and she helps me gather up all of the kids over ten into a room, while she, Freya, and Mia entertain the littlest ones.

I stand at the front of the room, looking over the assembled group. “What do you want to talk to us about, luna?” Cassidy asks, worry evident in her voice.

Having them all watch me with their large, serious eyes makes me a bit nervous, but I push through. “I wanted to talk to you about some stuff going on with the pack. I think you’re all old enough.”

I explain about Martha and the Red Moon and how they’re hoping to make me live with them.

“Of course, I don’t want to,” I say at the end of the story. “I want to stay here with all of you.” I can feel how true it is as I say it, a painful sadness welling in my throat.

The kids pick up on my distress. “We’ll protect you, Rory!” Cassie cries, eyes sparkling with furious tears.

Orion stands up, fists clenched. “Yeah, no nasty Red Moon wolves’ll take our luna away from us!” The other children cry out in agreement—all of them angry on my behalf.

“Well, how can I be worried with such fierce protectors?” I let them swarm me, giving me a group hug, and try not to cry.

I hope they don’t get disappointed.