Chapter Fifty-One

Looking up at the tree line as the sun painted the sky with oranges and purples. Annie let out a sigh.  There were three of them. She wondered why her parents hadn’t told them?

If they didn’t know, did that mean that she and Abby were adopted?

The fluttering kick moved over her stomach and she pressed a hand to her belly. She could understand how hard it would be to have three babies at once. The thought filled her with nervous anxiety. She didn’t know if she could do this. 

She would raise three babies.

Would they look like her or Beau? She hoped they looked more like her. She didn’t need the constant reminder of their father. With things going so well with Candy and Stolas, she was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. 

In quiet moments like this, she could almost imagine his voice as he would hold her. Saying that he loved her, that he would be the only one that could lover her. Not as much as he loved Abby, but enough. She thought of Candy or Stolas saying something like that to her.

It made her heart clench up in her chest and she could feel the tears threatening to spill as the fluttering in her stomach intensified. She hoped that would never happen and wondered if even in utero her babies were trying to comfort her.

“I promise, I won’t let you three down.” She whispered, bringing her other hand up to press beneath her ribs where she could feel another set of fluttering kicks. Stronger than the others. “I’ll love you three so much.”

Looking at the fading sun one last time, she turned away, heading back to the pack house. Something was playing at the edges of her thoughts. She didn’t know why she felt so morose, almost like she was saying goodbye to a lover. 

She didn’t know if it had to do with the news that they had another sister or with how good things were going with her mates. Letting out a sigh as she leaves crunched beneath her feet. She hoped their sister was kind, that they could form a friendship.

That she had mates that loved her and would protect her. Annie wondered if she should call Abby later, and maybe together they could call Amelia when she got home. 

Would that scare her away? Annie didn’t want to do that. She had to admit that growing up she had always felt like something was missing. She’d thought it was her parent’s affection, she knew that Abby felt the same.

It was something that they’d always been searching for her. 

A wolf howled in the distance and Annie smiled. She wondered if it was someone from Drake’s pack. She still hadn’t met everyone, and that was fine by her.  Annie didn’t like the big crowds, they made her nervous that she would say or do the wrong thing. 

Abby was better with that kind of thing, and it made sense to her that her sister was fated to be with an alpha like Drake.  Even Eli she realized, that would be best to tame her sister. Although, she didn’t think anyone could ever truly tame Abby.

Only if she wanted them to.

Annie wasn’t looking for someone to tame her, she knew that she needed love. Needed praise, it made her heartbeat faster when her mates praised her. Worrying her lower lip as she got closer, she could see Candy and Stolas sitting on the porch swing waiting for her.

The feeling of sadness fading for a moment as she stood still. The gentle breeze making her dress flutter around her thighs, filling her with a warmth.

Stolas’ arm thrown around Candy’s shoulder as she looked up at him with a hungry gaze. Her hand moving up over his thigh. He leaned closer, pressing his lips to Candy’s as she brought her hand up to his cheek. 

It made desire move low in the pit of her stomach as she watched the two of them. Heat moved along her skin, like she was standing too close to a heater. She frowned, unsure of what was happening.

The kiss deepened, as Candy’s hand moved from his cheek to tangle in his hair as his hand moved down her side, inching her shirt up so he could splay his fingers over her skin. Annie let out a breath as she moved closer to them, watching as Candy climbed onto Stolas’ lap. The swing rocked underneath them as she bucked her hips and tangled her fingers in his hair, pinning him in place so she could take her time teasing him.

Annie felt the heat intensify the closer that she got. It was a strange, almost urgent feeling. Stolas pulled away from Candy and looked over at Annie. His eyes met hers as Candy moved her hands to his shoulders, letting out a whimper. 

“We should head inside.” Annie said. 

Stolas nodded, helping Candy off of him as they both moved to stand.  Candy looked at her with eyes that seemed to glow, and Annie stepped closer to the two of them.

“I’m hot.” She said, her voice husky as the other two moved closer to her. Candy brought her hand up, touching her cheek with a frown.

“You are.” She said, pulling her hand away. “Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m so hot.” Annie breathed out, kicking her shoes off before she started pulling at her dress.  “Too hot.”

“Annie,” Stolas said, stepping forward, his hands moving to hers to keep her from ripping her dress off.  He hissed at the feel of flames moving over his skin.  “Annie.” 

“Stolas, I’m on fire.” She panted as he moved his arms around her, pinning her in place.

“Candy, we need to get her in water.” Stolas said as he gritted his teeth, feeling the heat moving over his skin. This time it didn’t awaken his desires, but left him feeling light headed and in pain.  

“The clinic is set up with birthing tubs.” Candy said, throwing open the door to the pack house as Stolas shifted Annie in his arms so she was cradled against his chest, he bent down hooking his arm under her knees as he moved to follow Candy.

“Stolas, what’s happening.”