Chapter 48: He’s Alive

Damien

We continued our breakfast talking and laughing, the girls were talking baby rooms with our mums. They each had a theme for their individual rooms and were talking about the theme for the one big nursery for all ten pups. Damn, ten pups, we are in trouble. “Reign, you and Damien want to go ahead and come with me, let’s see what these little ones are up to.” Ebbie smiled. “Sure.” My Queen smiled; I helped her stand. She started waddling when she stopped, “Aaahhhh…” she cried in pain. Everyone stopped what they were doing and rushed to us. “Babygirl, what happened.” I asked catching her before she fell forward. “I don’t know, it hurts.” She sobbed. “Damien, move! Get her to your room, I already have my assistant bring the supplies.” Ebbie ordered as we rushed back to our room. Our whole family followed behind, mum, Ana, Bea, and Grams were holding onto each other, praying to the Moon Goddess and Gods for the health and safety of Reign and our pups. As we walked into our room, the medical staff was setting up monitors and other things that might be needed. “Damien.” She quietly cried. “Bring the ultrasound over, let’s take a look.” Aunt Ebbie ordered. I sat Reign up so I could slide behind her, I wrapped my arms around her waist and rubbed her belly. “Sshh…stay calm, they’re probably just posturing with one another. You know how we Alphas can be.” I chuckled, I was trying to stay calm and not let her see that I was scared also.

Aunt Ebbie gently moved the wand over her belly stopping when she found each pup and concentrated on each one carefully. We watched her every move and facial expressions; she would smile then frown then smile. “Aunt Ebbie, what’s happening?” Reign timidly called. Auntie looked over at us. “Are the pups, okay?” I asked. She smiled gently. “Yes, they are all perfect. They have actually grown so what you felt was them probably trying to stretch out and they, as you say, drop kicked your organs.” She laughed. “They are starting to really grow, at the rate they are growing, I am guessing they will be here in about two to three months. I know you don’t want to, but I need for you to stay off your feet, your weight is going to start to increase, and it will take a toll on your body. I’m going to leave this equipment here and I will be by every other day, I also need you stay stress free.” Aunt Ebbie told us. “But we aren’t even a month into our reign, there’s still so much that needs to be done.” Reign sighed. “I understand but your blood pressure is a little high. You may be a werewolf, but you can still suffer the same complications that humans do and remember you are having triplets.” She gently told us. “Babygirl, please do what Aunt Ebbie says. I have plenty of help to get the kingdom in order. All the packs have sent some of their warriors to help secure the borders. I’m also bringing in my top-notch people to set up tighter security along the borders.” I explained to her. “We are installing security cameras, motion sensors and whatever else we need to make sure that rogues don’t surprise us again.” “Fine but I still want to know about the attack. I don’t want to be left in the dark. I’m pregnant but I can still help, this affects me and our family.” She said scrunching her cute little face. I knew she was right as much as I wanted to keep her locked away, I couldn’t keep secrets or hide things from her. “Okay but if you start stressing out then I will handle things without you.” She huffed, “Fine.” Never a good sign when a female says FINE. “So, do you want to know the genders?” Ebbie asked. We both looked at each other, we hadn’t really thought about it. “Can you put it in a sealed envelope, and we will decide later?” Reign looked over at me. “Of course.” Aunt Ebbie continued her exam, after she was done, I carried Reign to the living room where our family was anxiously waiting.

The females were huddled together, and the males were pacing the length of the living room. “Reign!” Jenny cried as I sat Reign down on the sofa. After each female took turns hugging and crying with each other they went to see Ebbie for their checkup. “How are you feeling?” Grams asked, she was all red eyed and puffy faced. “I’m good grams.” Reign assured with a tight hug. “They’re just growing and trying to make themselves comfy and, in the process, they are drop kicking and punting my insides.” She giggled. “Ebbie put me on lock down.” Reign teased. “Don’t be so dramatic, it’s not lockdown, you just need to stay off your feet as much as possible.” Aunt Ebbie shook her head and raised her eyebrow at Reign as she walked into the living room. “So how are all our other pups.” Mum asked. “Everyone is healthy, happy and very wiggly.” Aunt Ebbie laughed. “Good to know they are all wiggle worms.” I laughed.

We all relaxed and watched a movie, of course the girls decided that they needed popcorn, ice cream, pickles and some other combinations that are just downright too gross to repeat. “Excuse me Damien, Reign, my apologies for interrupting but you have some visitors who claim to be Reign’s…family on her father’s side.” Moses said with reluctance. “My dad’s family?” She yelped. “No that can’t be, he has no family, they disowned him when he left to be with my mom.” She continued to say. “Put them in my downstairs office.” I ordered Moses. “Babygirl, please try to stay calm. Let me go down and talk to them first.” I could feel her nerves, anger and sadness start to roll off her in waves. “If it’s them, why now?!” She yelled. “Grams, Gramps, would you join me in meeting them?” I asked them. “Of course, we will.” Gramps said taking Gram's hand. I’m coming also. Reign said trying to get up. As serious as this is, she is just way too cute when she’s trying to roll herself so she can stand up. Shadow moved closer to her and helped her to her feet. “Thanks, fuzzball.” She winked at him. He huffed at her; he still hates it when she calls him a fuzzball. I don’t think that will ever change between them. They have become close since I sent him to watch over her and not to mention he’s mated to her childhood best friend. I took her hand in mine and guided her to the stairs past the elevator. Why not use the elevator when it’s working just fine, well when Noah mentioned a news report about an elevator getting stuck between floors with a pregnant female who went into labor that pretty much had all us males forbidding them to use it. So, now we carry our girls down the stairs. Shadow, Spyder or Spencer are the only non-blood or unmated males who are allowed to carry Reign when I’m not around or other male family isn’t around.

When we got to the door of my office, Reign just stood there. “I don’t know if I can do this.” She whispered. “They were never there for me when I needed them and now out of nowhere, they show up!” She whisper-yelled. Before I could console her, the door opened and I was looking at a spitting image of my mate, if she was a male. Reign’s eyes widened and she started shaking her head. “No, no, no, no!” She yelled. “Who are you?!” She said pressing herself against me. Shadow, Spyder and Spencer positioned themselves to protect their Queen.

“Deklyn?” Grams whispered walking around Reign to the male standing in front of us. “How? It can’t be.” She caressed his cheek. “Your body was identified by your personal effects and your driver’s license. They said you were burn beyond recognition.” Gramps said in shock. “Reign, my Tinkerbelle.” The stranger said reaching for my mate. Spencer gripped his wrist and growled at him. “What makes you think you are allowed to touch our Queen?” Spencer growled with Spyder, and Shadow poised to pounce at a moment’s notice. “She knows who I am.” He smiled at her. “No.” She whispered as tears started to form. “You were killed in a car accident. Your body was found burned beyond recognition.” She started pacing, well waddle pacing. “Mom said they found your wedding ring, wallet, watch and this…” She pulled the locket she always wore from under her shirt. The authorities gave it back to me when they finished their investigation. I nodded to Shadow, Spyder and Spencer for them to release the stranger. Stranger? He was no stranger. He’s, her father. The one who’s supposed to be dead but here he is standing in front of us, alive and well.

Reign

“Babygirl, please stop pacing, remember what Ebbie said.” D said wrapping his arms around me and I slowly relaxed. “Come into my office.” He gently guided me in and helped me sit. “Spencer, ask Ana to bring some juice and snacks, have Ebbie close by.” He ordered. “Yes, majesty.” And he rushed out the door. Shadow and Spyder did what they did best, they were hiding in a dark corner waiting and watching over their Queen. “Your majesty,” the stranger greeted, “my name is Deklyn Black. I am Reign’s father.” He extended his hand. Damien took his hand. “Mr. Black…I am Alpha King Damien Ayres Hunt. I am Alpha Queen Reign Dyanera Rose Ryven Hunt’s mate and husband.” He proudly stated with his arm around my waist. “It’s an honor to meet you. This is my beloved, Apryl Blackburn and our children, triplets, Grant, Grace and Grifyn and our youngest, Geneva.” Geneva smiled and waved from behind Grace’s legs. She looked to be about 4 or 5 years old, she's so cute.

“You were alive all this time and you never…you never came back to us!” I screamed. “We needed you! She needed you! I needed you! Did you even know that she died? You weren’t there!” I started breathing hard, panic set in and breathing got hard for me. “Shadow, get Ebbie!” Damien yelled out. “Baby, slow your breathing, please.” He pulled me to his lap and engulfed my body in his. I inhaled his scent and let it take over my senses and then everything went dark. “Reign, sweetie.” Ebbie said caressing my forehead. “What happened?” I asked slowly opening my eyes. “Babe, you passed out.” Damien sighed in relief nuzzling his nose to my neck. “The babies?” I quickly moved my hands to my tummy. “They are perfectly fine.” Damien said putting his large warm hand over my tiny ones. He left a lingering kiss on my temple. Can you sit up? Yeah I said as he helped me up. Where’s Deklyn? I just couldn’t bring myself to call him dad. “They’re in the dining room, Ana is preparing a room for them…or do you want them in a cottage?” I closed my eyes… “You decide. I’m still at a loss for words. My dad is alive, remarried and has four kids.” I puffed out my cheeks. “You also have two brothers and two sisters.” He smiled at me. “Yeah, well he’s crazy if he thinks that I’m accepting him or them so easily.” I grunted.

“Well, you my dear need to try to take it easy, you have three little one’s baking.” Ebbie reminded me. “It’s not like I went looking for this to happen!” I snapped. I sighed seeing hurt flash across her face. “Ebbie, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” I pulled her into a hug. “I understand but I still need for you to try and stay calm, your blood pressure is way too high.” “I’ll try harder.” I rubbed my cheek against hers. “I will check on you tomorrow.” She kissed my temple and left Damien and me alone. “I’m having the whole family come up here for dinner.” Damien started. I glared at him. “Don’t look at me like that, there’s a lot to talk about and there’s no point in putting it off. No arguing.” He scolded. “Whatever!” I growled at him as he pulled me to my feet and took me to the dining room. “Reign! You need to stop scaring us!” Jaz hugged me and I rolled my eyes at her, so dramatic. “It’s not like I did it on purpose.” I snorted at her. “Someone’s in a bad mood.” Jyden chuckled. “I'm not in a bad mood.” I huffed. Jyden stuck his tongue out at me making me giggle. “Leave her alone, Jyd.” Ryott punched his shoulder.

“We, I, apologize for all the trouble. I didn’t mean to stir up problems.” Deklyn sighed walking into the dining room with his family, his new family. “Deklyn, please join us, let’s have some dinner and then we will calmy talk.” Damien said giving me side eye. I rolled my eyes at him. “Thank you, your majesties.” Apryl bowed. “Please we are all family, every guard you see here are not just guards, they are family. When we are up here there are no formalities. We use first names or our own little endearments.” He explained. “Hey guys sorry I’m late…” Moses started to say but he froze mid-step, lifted his nose, and inhaled deeply “…MATE!” he said sniffing and turned and looked at my half-sister, Grace. He stalked over to her but was blocked by her, well…our brothers. “DO. NOT. KEEP. MY. MATE. FROM. ME!” He growled. “You say she’s your mate, but we don’t know that for sure.” I think it was Grifyn who said that. “Of course, she’s my mate, her scent…” he reached out to touch Grace and they both growled at Moses. “Boys!” their dad, our dad raised his voice. “Let him near Grace, let’s find out if they are indeed mates.” He told them. Grant and Grifyn stepped aside and allowed Grace to approach Moses. Hi, she shyly said a small tinge of pink on her cheeks. Moses looked over at me, I nodded. Hi, he said raising his hand and caressed her cheek. Both of them inhaled sharply. Yup, they are mates. “I’m Moses Mason Jaykobs, Delta Commander of the Rose Hunt pack trackers.” He introduced himself, shaking Deklyn’s hand and Apryl’s. “I’m Grace Blackburn.” She looked at her parents, they nodded in approval. “Vampire Princess of the European territory, I train our young and newborn’s. I also specialize in cyber security and technology. Well, vampires?” Damien’s dad said with surprise, “very interesting.” He mumbled. “Okay, now you really need to explain what the hell happened to you.” I said rubbing my head. “But first I need to eat before I pass out again.” I rubbed my tummy this time. “Tinkerbelle, I can’t believe you’re pregnant.” Deklyn said with a soft smile. “Uh…yeah, with triplets.” I smiled.

“First, I need you to know that I never wanted to leave you or your mom but at the time I knew nothing of the supernatural world.” He started to explain. “I didn’t even find out about your mom until about a year ago. I have been following your career though. I am so very proud of you.” He brightly smiled. “Why didn’t you come find me? Let me know you were alive?” I stared at him fighting my tears. “Tinkerbelle, I was a vampire. I didn’t want to scare you or your mom. I didn’t know about your mom, and I didn’t know how to tell you. If I had known about her, I would have come back to you both.” “Deklyn, I can assume that you weren’t born a vampire, but were turned?” Landon, Damien’s dad, asked. “I was turned by my beloved Apryl. She turned me when she found me after the car accident.” He smiled loving at her. “He was on the verge of death. I was going to leave him to his fate, but I saw the locket, the picture of you and your mom.” Apryl stared off at nothing. “I had just lost my first beloved a few weeks before. I was out for a walk with Grant and Grifyn when we came across the accident site.” Grant picked up where his mom paused. “We smelled his blood. We wanted to leave him, he had wounds that we didn’t think he would survive but mom didn’t want to give up on him. We left all his belongings behind, set his car on fire. We figured that no one would be able to figure out who he was because there would be nothing left of him. We carried him away from the accident site, human authorities were already arriving. Once we were safe, mom bit him to get the venom in his system. To our surprise, he responded to the venom, when he stabilized, we took him back to our castle.” He finished. “Our grandfather was beyond pissed. But mom got her way and pop became a part of our family.” Grifyn chuckled. “I am grateful for the life they gave back to me, and I prayed every day that you and your mother would be okay.” He paused for a moment. “I wanted to go back to you and your mom, but I was a vampire. How was I supposed to explain that?” He laughed lightly. “If I had known, but at the time, I thought I was protecting you. I kept trying to convince him to contact you, especially once we found out your mother died.” Apryl chimed in. “But he was…ashamed that he left you and your mother alone for so long.” She sadly smiled. “So, are you a prince or a King?” Jyden blurted out, thankfully changing the subject. He chuckled at Jyden. “Apryl is the Queen, I’m her second in command, General of the Kingdom’s army. Grant and Grif are my top two male warriors, Grace is my top female warrior.”

“You know, mom mourned you until her last breath.” I sighed. “I’d hoped she would find love again.” He said rubbing his face. “No, she didn’t but it seems that you did.” I said bitterly. I was hurt that he could just move on and forget about us so easily. “Reign, Deklyn and I didn’t set out to fall in love.” Apryl started. “We got drunk one night about a year after I turned him…” “I don’t need specifics.” I scrunched my face covering my ears and the triplets groaned. “What?” Geneva asked innocently. “Nothing, sweetie.” Decklyn told her. “Linda, would you please take Gen for her bath and help her get ready for bed. We will be there as soon as we can.” “Awe daddy.” Geneva whined. “Say good night little one.” Her mom told her. “Fine, good night.” She huffed. “Reign, can we play tomorrow?” She asked shyly. “Sure, but you need to go to bed.” And she went off with Linda. I chuckled. “Sorry, she can be a handful.” Apryl smiled. “Back to what I was saying, what I meant was, we vampires find our mates by their blood. I’d always felt a connection to Dek. I hadn’t fed in a few days, and I was getting weak, and the alcohol didn’t help. He offered me his wrist and once his blood touched my tongue…we bonded.” He finished her statement. “I loved your mom; I will always love her. I have to believe things happened for a reason.”

“But why now? Why find me now?” I asked him. “Eight years later, you’re remarried, you have four kids, a whole new family.” I sobbed. “What about me? Do I fit in with you and your new family?” I asked begrudgingly. “Tinkerbelle, you are my family, we are all family. Grant, Grifyn, Grace are two years older than you and Geneva is six. We didn’t have her until two years later. She’s been very excited to meet you.” Apart of me wanted him to hold me, comfort me, be my daddy. “Deklyn, why now?” Gramps asked.