The Wisteria Alpha

CHAPTER 8~Multiple~

Lotus

       The past four and a half months flew by quickly. In August, we had fled Dallas and settled in Louisiana. The girls were able to secure a room at a boarding lodge on the outskirts of Shreveport. We each took turns on patrol, never letting our guard down. On my birthday they brought me a cupcake with a single candle in it from the cafe down the street. I had wished for a successful birth.

    In September, we changed our location again, not wanting to get too comfortable. We also did it to throw off the hunters, so we ended up in Independence, Kansas. The twins turned 21, I was able to help them shift. We were in the Elk City State Park, secluded in the forest, far away from humans. The girls started to shift, their bones popping out of place and their bodies elongating. When the process was over, they were breathtaking. They stood tall and had pitch black fur. Their eyes matched their human counterparts. 

      Lila’s right eye was hazel and left eye was hazel-gray, Lily’s the opposite way. Their markings were also unique. Lila had a white sock on her front left paw and an all-white left ear. Lily was the same but her markings were on her right side.

       I undressed and shifted, letting Empress take control. Now that we all shifted, we were able to talk to each other by mind-linking. What are your names sisters? Empress asked. Lily’s wolf stepped forward and rubbed her head against Empress. I am Czarina. Empress nuzzled her back. Lila’s wolf came to rubbed Empress’s other side. My name is Queen. Empress licked the side of her muzzle.

         We are blessed to have been given names of rulers. Let us show the moon goddess what we are made of. Empress said, tilting her head back and howled at the moon. Czarina and Queen joined in, their howls traveling across the forest. Our wolves took off running. Zooming in and out of the trees, leaping over logs, the wind pushing back their fur. They ran for hours, only stopping to tackle each other before taking off again.   

     When they grew tired, they shifted back and we got dressed. The girls were animated, full of emotion from their first shift. Lily looked at me in concern, “Was the shift too much strain? Is the baby alright?” Lila walked over and placed a hand on my rounded stomach. I smiled, “we are both ok. I'm just tired from all the running.” Empress hasn't been out in a while, but she was thrilled to have run with her sisters tonight. The twins smiled in return, giving my belly another rub. When morning came, we departed Kansas, ready to move to the safe house.

      We spent the month of October slowly moving to Arizona. The safe house there was actually a small bunker that we occasionally visited. My stomach had become enormous, which was slowing down our journey. I couldn’t risk going to the doctor, fearing that our pursuers would learn of my pregnancy.   

     I wanted to know what my baby looked like, to hear its heartbeat. I had to be content that my baby was obviously growing, and at an alarming rate, even for an alpha pup. “You look like mom did when she was pregnant with us.” Lily said. I smiled, remembering the photo that was taken a few days before the twins were born. My mom was using both of her hands to hold up her tummy while two-year-old me was kissing it.

   “Does that mean you're having twins?”  Lila asked. I stared down at my stomach in disbelief. Is that why my stomach was so large for only being three months? “I don’t know, twins obviously run in the family. But I couldn't be sure without an ultrasound.” Lila and Lily scooted closer to me, placing a hand on my belly. I was scared. Being on the run with one kid was hard but now there was a possibility that it could be two. We needed to hurry to Arizona.

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      My pup was due in two weeks and we had finally made it to Flagstaff, Arizona. Since there was a high probability of having a multiple birth, we had been ordering double of everything online, leaving instructions for the delivery person to stash the packages in a nearby shed where the bunker was located. We had stayed away from the safehouse to avoid drawing attention, only coming out at night to make sure the packages were secure. 

       Tonight was like any other night as we hid in the trees and snow, making our way to check the shed. I was stepping over a log when a sharp pain went down my back, causing me to groan in pain. My sisters looked back, rushing to my side. “Are you ok?” Lily asked, helping me sit down. “Yeah, I think it was a false contraction.” She looked unconvinced but didn’t ask any more questions.

      Feeling better, Lily helped me back up, we continued to walk. Another sharp pain came from my back spreading towards my stomach. I cried out, almost slipping in the snow. My sisters grabbed for me, helping me stand up. I felt a rush of fluids run down my legs, it felt like I was peeing myself but I had no control. I tried closing my legs but the liquid kept rushing out.

     “Lo, your water just broke. You’re going into labor.” I heard Lily say. No no no. It was too early. “How? She still has two weeks to go!” Lila squeaked; her voice panicked. “Wolves carrying multiples normally go into labor early, this is just confirming that she is having twins.” Lily stated. Another contraction hit, taking my breath away. They shuffled me towards the bunker, my feet dragging in the snow. 

Lily

       We finally got Lotus into the bunker, her breathing heavy. Lila got to work on warming up the heater. Of course, my nieces or nephews decide to come on the coldest night of November. Lotus was shivering and rubbing her hands together. I wrapped her in a few blankets. Lila opened the door, “I’m going to set up the clocking spell.” I bobbed my head, acknowledging her. 

     The spell she was working was one of the few our mother had given us. It was very potent and lasted up to 30 days. It completely sealed our presence as long as we stayed in the crystals. The only catch is that once you step out of it you couldn’t come back inside, and we couldn't see what was happening outside it. After this bottle, we only had one more.

    Lotus cried out again, another contraction wrecking through her body. She was panting, and leaning to the side. I rubbed her back trying to ease some pain. Lila came back in and turned up the heater. When she finished, she came to sit on the other side of Lotus. “How are you feeling Lo?” She was still panting, “Terrible.” She smirked, making us giggle.

      The bunker became nice and toasty, causing Lotus to sweat. We took off her blankets and helped remove her clothes. She put on an over side t-shirt, sighing in relief. I stood up and pushed the kiddy pool over to her. We helped her sit in it and placed a pillow behind her. I got down by her legs while I slipped on some gloves.

     I had been reading books on pregnancies and birth since we found out. I knew she wasn’t going to be able to give birth in a hospital, so I was her impromptu midwife. “I’m just going to see how far along you are.” I told her. She nodded, spreading her legs further. I guided my fingers inside touching her cervix, she whimpered at my intrusion. “You’re about 4 cm along, Lo” I told her, slipping my gloves off. 

     After ten grueling hours of contractions, they were finally far enough apart for me to check her again. I opened her legs and could see the baby’s head. I shouted to Lila to bring the supplies necessary for birth. I looked at Lotus, sweat pouring down her face. “Lo, it's time. With your next contraction, I need you to start pushing. She bobbed her head and pushed when her next contraction came.

      Lotus has been pushing for over thirty minutes and the baby still hasn’t come. She looked completely exhausted, her breathing ragged. “Come on Lotus, don’t give up!” Lila yelled from behind me. Lo jerked her head and pushed again. The baby's head is coming out. “Keeping going Lo! The baby’s head is out!” I shouted to her. She pushed again, pushing out the rest of the baby. 

      I gently guided the head and secured the body. “It’s a boy.” I heard myself said, Lila gasped in the background. I cut his cord, sucked out the fluids in his nose and mouth, then started to rub his back. His loud cry filled the bunker and Lotus beamed with pride. I handed him to Lila who cleaned and wrapped him quickly, placing him in the bassinet next to Lotus’s head.

        Lotus started to push again, signaling the birth of the second pup. This baby came out faster, and I cradled its head. “It’s a girl.” I told them, they both cooed. I repeated the process and soon her voice rang out. I handed her to Lila. Lotus had closed her eyes and I took a deep breath. Lila had finished and was asking Lo if she wanted to hold them when she started to scream.  

         “What’s happening?” Lila shouted. I looked between Lotus’s legs, not believing what I was seeing. “Lotus, you need to start pushing again.” She responded with a yell, pushing down hard. I caught the third baby, turning it around to examine its chubby face. “It’s another girl.” I said, completing my process with her sweet little voice ringing out at the end. Lotus began to weep. I handed her to Lila who had gotten up to get more towels and blankets.

        Lila placed her in the bassinet with her siblings. Lotus reached out for them. We positioned each child, resting upon her chest, her arms were overflowing. She kissed all three little heads, “Beautiful,” she murmured, then promptly passed out.       

Cyrus

      I stormed out of Devlin's office. He’s been riding my ass for the past five months, adding overwhelming amounts of work to my plate. There was only so much a Gamma could do. When Dev and Brantley returned from their trip you could tell that something had changed. Their air around had become cold, and their attitudes towards each other were almost hostile.

     I knocked on the door, then stepped into Brantley’s office, quietly closing it behind me. He was staring out the window watching the snow fall. “B, we gotta talk.” He turned his head and looked at me. His eyes had dark bags, his bread wild and untrimmed, he looked like s**t. “What’s up Cy?” 

      Propping myself up on the desk I expressed my concerns. “We can’t keep going like this. The lack of communication and teamwork between the ranked members is embarrassing and it’s starting to affect the pack. We are behind schedule for the construction of the pack house as well as some of our inner campus cottages.” Brantley was nodding his head, a sad look in his eye.

     I sighed, “Look, I don't know what happened between you and Dev, but we need you guys to get over it. Our pack can’t survive without an Alpha or a Beta. It damn well can’t survive with just a Gamma doing everything.”

“You’re right. I’ll talk to Dev. Bring in the blueprints for the packhouse too. I’ll go over them to finalize it.” I jumped off the desk, liking the sound of less work. I walked to the door, turning back to look at Brantley who had a small smile on his face. “What are you smiling for B?” He shook his head, gazing back out the window. “The snow just reminds me of a girl in white.” 

          He didn’t elaborate further. “Did you meet your mate B?” I was confused. “No, she wasn’t mine.” I wanted to ask more questions but decided against it. I left to go get the blueprints. Whatever happened to the guys really had a lasting effect, I hope they get it together soon.