Chapter 57

By the time the weather had turned and the first storms off the north sea began to batter the land, the house was ready to welcome not just Kade and Thalia but two little pups as well.

Thalia had been lucky that she hadn’t struggled too much with the pregnancy thus far but the two weeks leading up to her due date had been hard work. Her stomach and ankles seemed to be in a competition to see who could swell the most while her lower back and hips hurt constantly to the point that she struggled to sleep. In the end she was relegated to bed rest by Simone while Kade insisted on making sure everything else was done.

"I thought you were given strict orders to stay in bed." Kade spoke up when he came in that evening to find Thalia pacing the living room. "Thalia?"

"My waters broke." Thalia replied, features drawn in panic and pain. "I think they're coming."

"Goddess!" Kade was by Thalia's side in a second. He let her clasp one of his hands. "Have you called for Simone?"

"Yes but she wants me to go in." Thalia replied, grimacing at the pain that simmered everywhere. "I don't want to have the babies in a hospital. I want to have them here at home."

Kade clearly didn't agree, nor did he like the idea of Thalia walking around but the movement seemed to be helping with her pain and he was in no position to give orders. So he didn't argue and instead used the Pack's mind-link to ask Simone for her assistance with home birthing.

"Can I get you anything?" Kade asked as he rubbed Thalia's lower back where she had been complaining it hurt the most.

"No. Just stay with me?" Thalia mumbled.

"Wild horses couldn't drag me away." Kade chuckled.

By the time the doctor and her staff appeared, Thalia's contractions were increasing. For Kade it was torture not being able to provide Thalia with any relief from her pain especially as the hours wiled away with no signs of the first child coming. Outside a storm raged against the countryside whistling through the trees and sending sheets of ice cold rain against the windows. It was until the first signs of daybreak came that Thalia's pregnancy came to an end and two more wolves joined the Hellhound pack.

Sunlight poured through breaks in the storm clouds like gold being poured over steel. There was a calm that now fell over the scene in the bedroom as Simone finished collecting her things.

"Congratulations, Kade. They are all doing great." Simone smiled at the beta as she met him at the bedroom door.

"Thanks, doc." Kade smiled. "I'm glad it was you that was there to help."

"Anytime. Oh and Kade?" Simone smirked as she passed him to leave. "Family life suits you."

Kade chuckled and remained where he was until he heard the front door close. Now alone with his young family, the beta crept forward, carefully climbing into bed with his exhausted mate and the two bundles in her arms. The two boys were sleeping, no doubt exhausted from their own adventure. Much like Maeve probably did, Legion pushed forward eager to see the pups he would call his own. Kade's eyes flashed green as Legion admired the little boys.

It turned out Lucien's thank you gift had been to take away Kade's punishment. Kade wasn't sure how the angel managed it but after that day in Greece, Legion not longer looked like a demon wolf. The feral behaviour and appearance that came with that much anger and guilt was gone as were his black eyes. Now Legion looked like a true warrior with his thick silver pelt and enchanting green eyes. Even Maeve had noticed the difference. The she-wolf clearly loved her mate no matter what but their love only grew much like Kade's and Thalia's did.

"So," Kade spoke up as he pressed a kiss to Thalia's temple. "Have you thought of names yet?"

"Mhm," Thalia smiled, resting her head on Kade's chest. "Atlas and Amos." She replied as she motioned to the first one and the second.

"Well hello Atlas and Amos Kade," Kade smiled gently at the two little pups. "You, my little wolves, are hereby welcomed to the Hellhound pack. May you be loyal and shown loyalty by all those who will call you family.”

—

**Ten years later**

"But why can't you and dad come with us?"

"Because your dad and I need to look after your brothers. Besides, you love spending time with Uncle Lucien and your other siblings.”

“We know but this time it’s for a really long time and we’ll miss you.”

Thalia stopped in her tracks and turned to face the two identical boys. She had been dreading the day she would have to send her two oldest sons off under the care of Lucien. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Lucien, he had proven to be a great uncle to the twins and they adored him. Their visits to Lucien’s realm and home made it just a little easier to deal with their absences but there was no denying that the house was quieter without her little hybrids. It wasn’t as if their house was empty. Kade hadn’t been joking about raising own little army and Thalia had learnt just a week ago that she was pregnant with their sixth child. She was praying to the goddess that it was a girl because so far, all of the Kade men were a handful and she could have a daughter she could cherish.

Despite Kade not being their real father; Atlas and Amos looked up to him and took after him in some ways. No one would ever guess that they weren’t his biological children but as far as Thalia was concerned, blood did not make a family; love did. The only hint of Dante in the twins (aside from their demon abilities) were their blue and gold eyes. They were an usual colouring especially set against the twins' olive skin and dark brown hair but Thalia accepted it as being just another thing that made them special. Both boys were quiet compared to their younger brothers. Atlas was certainly the more confident of the two while Amos was quieter and also observing.

Perhaps the oddest thing was that the twins didn’t have wolven spirits but instead remained themselves when they shifted. No one could give an explanation as to why they didn’t have wolven spirits but it didn’t make them any less a werewolf.

“It’s not as long as you think,” Thalia crouched down, taking one of her son’s hands in each of her own. “Besides, Lucien said you can come visit sometimes.”

Amos looked at Atlas whose eyes darkened as he began to sulk. Clearly neither boy was convinced but Thalia promised herself she would be strong. She didn’t like this anymore than they did but the alternative wasn’t one Thalia would even entertain.

“This will be good for you.” Thalia spoke again, forcing a smile onto her lips. “You get to go and train to be the best warriors this world has ever seen. Isn’t that what you want? To be like your dad?”

The boys nodded reluctantly, their stubbornness beginning to dissolve.

“Okay so, uncle Lucien is going to be able to show you all the amazing things you can do.” Thalia carried on. “And why is it you can do these amazing things?”

“Because the goddess blessed us as hybrids.” Atlas replied.

“That’s right.” Thalia brightened her smile. “Now come on, we don’t want to keep your uncle waiting. You know how he gets.” Thalia paused, changing her voice to mock Lucien’s own voice. “Really boys? Have you never heard of watches? My feathers could have gone grey and fallen out with how long I was waiting!”

Neither boy could resist their mother’s silly act and erupted into giggles. With the mood lightened a bit, Thalia stood, helping the boys with their backpacks before ushering them downstairs.

“Hey boys.” Kade flashed a toothy smile at the twins as he stood by the open front door. “All set for your adventure?”

“Yup.” Atlas nodded, his expression much brighter than a few minutes ago.

“Perfect. Your uncle has just arrived and he said if you’re well behaved then he’ll buy you pizza and ice cream for dinner.” Kade grinned, pulling the boys in to hug them.

“I don’t recall this agreement.” Lucien frowned as he made his way up the steps, black eyes dropping to the hopeful gazes on Amos and Atlas’s faces. “Svetlana used the exact same trick on me with Milana so I shouldn’t be surprised given how much alike you are.”

“Witty?” Kade smirked.

“Insufferable.” Lucien corrected. “Now are my beautiful nephews ready to go? I believe there is a pizza hut on the way.”

“Just a moment.” Thalia spoke up, her eyes already glimmering with unshed tears as she pulled her boys into a tight embrace, kissing the tops of their heads. “Please be good and remember I love you so much. We will see each other soon.”

“We will.” Atlas murmured. “And can you tell Carmina we are sorry we couldn’t make it to her birthday party this year?”

Despite a six year difference between them, Atlas and Amos were close with Carmina. The Alpha’s daughter seemed to have a special place in the twins heart and they watched over her like two big brothers. They were unwaveringly patient with her even when she would insist on wrestling with them, wanting to show she was a fighter like them but not realising that they were bigger and so much stronger than her.

“Don’t worry, we will.” Kade smiled and gave a nod.

It took everything Thalia had to let the twins go. Kade was right there to wrap his arms around her and help keep her on her feet as they watched the two boys take Lucien’s hands and walk with him.

“Goddess, Lucien better take good care of them or I’ll rip him apart.” Thalia muttered, her tears now finding their way down her cheeks as she pressed into Kade’s firm warmth.

“He will.” Kade chuckled, his silver eyes failing to hide his sadness but he maintained a smile as they watched their two oldest sons disappear to start the next chapter in their lives. “Besides. They will be back to visit before you know it.”

“And hopefully meet their new baby sibling.” Thalia mumbled.

“New baby sibling?” Kade frowned in confusion before the penny dropped and his eyes went wide, pulling back enough to look at his mate. “You’re pregnant?”

“Yes.” Thalia laughed before her sniffles. “I found out last week but I wanted to be sure.”

“Oh goddess!” Kade pulled Thalia in for a kiss. “I love you Thalia Kade, you that? But please let it be a girl!”

“I am hoping the same thing.” Thalia laughed. “I love you too. I’m so glad that we made it this far.”

“Well that’s because we have each other.” Kade smirked, bending to pick Thalia up bridal style so he could carry her back into the house. “And not even death can keep us apart.”

---

A/N: Hi all! Only the epilogue left to go now. I want to thank you all for joining me on this journey. Kade does have a special place in my heart and I'm glad I got to tell you his story.

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