Chapter 80

(**Irina**)

When I walk into my bedroom, the sight of Julian holding Theo makes me stop in the doorway. There are tears in his eyes as he looks down at his grandson. For a moment, I feel like we should have picked a different name. However, the smile on his face as Theo wiggles in his arms makes me happy that I agreed.

I walk past them and straight to the bed. I am still sore and tired. Julian looks at me as I climb into the center of the bed. I give him a smile, then watch as Sebastion walks over with Oksanna. He looks so relaxed holding her. It is almost like their birth was the last thing he needed to grow into the man I knew he could be.

The regret I felt through our bond last night tore at my heart. His heart was breaking as he thought about how badly he mistreated Jace. He neglected his son for the first five years of his life. It is a heavy burden to live with, but I can tell by the way he looks at Jace that he will do everything he can from now on to ensure that Jace knows he is loved.

I can see the adoration in Jace’s eyes when he looks at Sebastion. I don’t think there will be any lasting damage to their relationship. There was some fear in my mind that Zasha joining their family would cause strain on their relationship at first. Jace’s loving nature proved I had nothing to worry about.

Now, I have four beautiful children and a mate that will do everything he can to ensure they are all happy and loved. That mate is so sweet looking as he stares down at our daughter. I find that quality sexy as sin.

*You are staring at me, Irina. Be careful...I am on that knife’s edge of sexual frustration.*

A shiver runs down my spine as he speaks through the link. When I make eye contact with him, I see his wolf peeking out at me, but Sebastion pushes Aries back quickly. Julian laughs and I can feel heat rush to my cheeks.

“I will give you to a few minutes alone before I let Lenore bring Jace and Zasha in.” He chuckles as he puts Theo in the bassinet.

When the door closes behind him, Sebastion walks back to the bassinet and places Oksanna beside her brother. The hungry look in his eyes makes my core throb painfully. The wince of pain makes him wince with me. He joins me on the bed and gently pulls me into his arms.

“Just think of all the stolen moments we will have as they grow. There are many places in this mansion to hide in that we can have those moments in.”

His strong jawline is a temptation that I can’t resist, so I place a trail of kisses along his jaw and down his neck. “We can also take full advantage of your mother and father as babysitters. My father too. Sneak up to your soundproof studio....”

“Oh, you are a temptress, but I like that idea. For now, it is time to introduce our new little ones to their siblings.”

I smile as I hear running feet in the hallway outside our door. Jace’s voice is the first one I hear, followed by Zasha’s softer voice. Both are asking Julian where the babies are. The excitement in Zasha’s voice is something that I am still amazed to hear.

Getting her away from Vicktor was worth it. She can now be a child rather than a tool to be used against his enemies. I know he will come for her soon if he is still alive. In his mind, she is his daughter, not mine. I overheard him call her that once when he was talking to Westly.

Vicktor will come for what he thinks is his.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, bring Theo and Oksanna to me, then let those eager children of ours in.”

Sebastion gives me a gentle squeeze before he gets up off the bed. I watch his ass as he walks to the bassinet. The Moon Goddess blessed this man with an amazing ass. Oh, boy.

*Down girl. You are going to drive Aries crazy. He wants out badly. So, do I. Please behave until you are fully healed.* Anya begs me as she laughs at my lustful thoughts.

*I can’t help it. I want to eat him alive while the pregnancy hormones are still coursing through me. Our mate if divine.*

Anya growls in my mind as she agrees with me.

I tear my eyes away from Sebastion’s ass as he bends over to pick the twins up. The last thing I want anyone else to smell when they come in is how aroused I am. I just gave birth last night to two babies. My body may not be fully healed, but oh boy, I am ready for when it is.

Sebastion chuckles as he brings Oksanna and Theo to me. I can tell by the way his nostrils flare he can smell my arousal. The blush that stains my cheeks is not like me at all, but I can’t seem to help it. I have been denied my mate for too long.

Just as he reaches me, both babies start crying. Oksanna’s face is a turning red in anger. Theo’s is calmer, but I can see the angry frown on his face. So young and yet so expressive. I reach up for Oksanna first. Once I have her in my arms, she instantly starts rooting around for my nipple.

“Hungry, huh? Well, give me a second.”

I go to push my robe open, but Sebastion’s hand is there before I can. The teasing look he gives me is just rude. I will have to make him pay for that later.

“You looked like you needed help.”

The second my nipple is free, Oksanna latches onto it fiercely, causing me to yelp. This little girl is going to cause me all kinds of woes. I can see it now. Her fiery temper is already strong, and she isn’t even a day old. I can only imagine what she will be like as she gets older.

Theo, not enjoying being left out, starts crying louder. Sebastion smirks as he moves my robe away from my other breast, then lowers Theo into the crook of my arm. Our son is gentle when he latches onto my nipple. Maybe he senses his sister’s irritation and is making up it to me.

Sebastion takes a pillow from the other side of the bed, then lifts Theo’s body up enough to lay the pillow underneath him. The pillow is long enough that he can to the same with Oksanna. This helps take pressure off my arms and helps them both be more comfortable. That is good thinking and makes me wonder where he learned to do that.

“I read a ton of books when we learned we were having twins. This was in one of them.”

“Seb, I love you.”

“I love you too, Irina.”

A knock on the door makes him look away. He walks to the door but waits for me to tell him to open it. I smile at him as I take a take a deep breath, then nod to let him know I am ready.

“Ok, my little ones. It is time to meet your older sister and brother.”

Sebastion opens the door, and Jace is the first one to rush into the room. There is such a joyful expression on his face that I can’t help but smile at him. He rushes straight to the side of the bed before for he climbs up slowly to sit beside me. He is sitting on the side where I have Oksanna.

My eyes leave his face to find Zasha’s. Her blue eyes are wide, but she is looking up at Sebastion rather than at me. I watch as he kneels and picks her up. She wraps her arms around his neck and lays her head on his shoulder. Sebastion leans his head down and whispers something in her ear that I can’t make out.

Zasha nods her head against his shoulder.

“We will be right back. Zasha and I need a bit of father, daughter time. Jace, you are the man of the house for now.”

Before I have a chance to respond, Sebastion turns around with Zasha in his arms and leaves the room. Concern for our daughter runs through me, but soon Jace’s voice distracts me. He is talking to Oksanna. Hie voice is low and soft.

I feel a smile tug at my lips as he tells her he loves her and will be the best big brother she could ever ask for. For a child so young, he is taking the responsibility of being a big brother seriously. My heart swells with love for him.

Thank you, Moon Goddess, for the blessing of Jace.

(**Sebastion**)

Zasha clings to me as I walk out onto the small balcony. I sit on a padded bench with her on my lap, but she still doesn’t let go. So, to soothe her, I run my palm up and down her back. There were tears in her ice-blue eyes when she looked up at me in the doorway of my room. Tears that confused me.

Yesterday she was excited to meet her siblings. Now she is sad. Does she think she has been replaced now that we have two new babies? That thought breaks my heart.

“Hey, sunshine, look at me.”

She loves my nickname for her, and it usually gets an instant smile. Her smile is like sunshine on my heart. At first, when I risked so much to save her, it was mainly for Irina. The minute my eyes landed on her slight frame and her angelic face, something broke open in my heart. A space I didn’t know existed but has now been filled with her light.

Zasha lifts her head off my shoulder to look up at me. This time, her eyes are full of fear and tears are rolling down her cheeks. Gently, I use my thumbs to wipe her tears away.

“What has you scared like this? Are you afraid that I won’t have time for you anymore now that your siblings are here?”

She shakes her head no.

“You can tell me anything, sunshine. I will always have time for you. I promise.”

“I had a bad dream.” Her soft voice is barely audible, but I hear what she says.

“What did you dream about? You are safe right here with me. No one can hurt you.”

“He can. He will come for me.”

Her words make me feel like shards of ice are piercing my heart. I don’t need her to say his name. I know who she dreamed about. Our time is running out. I have to make sure my family is safe before he gets here.

I will not let them be taken again. I will not let that monster hurt anyone in my family or my pack. It is time to meet with Monroe again. I need to know if the scouts he has posted further away from our borders or the ones in town have seen anything new.

If Zasha has the gift of foresight, then her dream must mean that Treadstone survived the attack in France. Our time of peace has ended, and we all need to be prepared.

“Listen to me. I will do everything I can to make sure that you are safe.”

“Jace too?”

“Yes, Jace too.”

“What about mama and the babies? He will want her too. My sister.”

“He won’t get them. He won’t get any of you.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

Even as I say those words, I know things can turn bad in battle quickly. I will try to keep my word and knowing that I am not alone in this fight helps me. Monroe and his rogues will be my element of surprise. The trap that the witches laid will be another.

Treadstone will not leave here alive.

“Come, let’s go meet you siblings.”

This time when I look into her eyes, there is excitement in them. She is practically dancing in my lap it. So, instead of carrying her inside, I sit her on her feet and watch her take off running back inside. This was meant to be a joyful day, but the shadow that has loomed over our heads for months now has gotten darker.

*Flint, can you find Monroe and have him meet you, Justin, and Wade in the boathouse in two hours? Have him bring the witches with him. We need to go over our strategy for Treadstone’s attack. I fear it will happen soon and I want us to be well prepared.*

Flint responds immediately and tells me he will get with Monroe and meet me at the boat house later. I scrub my hand down my face and stay seated on the bench for a few more minutes. I hate that my mind will now be focused elsewhere when it should be on my family.

I knew our time of peace would run out eventually. That is why the pack has been training so hard every day. Having more warriors and trained fighters able to defend themselves and the pack is beneficial. It will help us greatly, not just for this coming war with Treadstone, but for any future threats.

The sound of running footsteps makes me look up at the open balcony doors. Jace soon comes running out onto the balcony. His smile is infectious, and I smile back at him as I open my arms for him. He runs straight into my arms. I pull him up on my lap. He hugs me tight, then he looks up at me, a grin on his face.

“Momma sent me to get you. Zasha told me where you were.”

“How would you like to go spend time with me, your grandpa, and your little brother soon?”

The way his eyes light up is all the answer I need.

“Your grandpa wants to take us all somewhere special. Just us men.”

“I will be a good big brother, daddy, I promise.”

He will be the best big brother ever. This is something I can already see. The way he opened his heart to Zasha proves that. His ability to love the way he does will be his biggest strength as he gets older. It will make him an amazing pack leader.

“When you get older, would you like to what I do for the pack? Be the Alpha?”

Jace tilts his head to the side like he is thinking it over. “Can I still be a chef too? Or a builder?”

“Son, you can be anything you want. If you chose not to follow in my footsteps, then you don’t have to.”

“I want to protect our family, daddy. I will become a good Alpha.”

I believe he will.