Chapter 990

Mom's magic sinks lower and so does my attention. My wolf begins to creep back in my soul, turning towards that new bond, prowling slowly, warily towards it, her ears pricked forward.

"There now," mom says on a happy sigh. "See? It's not scary."

"It's not the bond that's scary mom," I growl, shaking my head even as my wolf steps closer, sniffing softly at the bond, peering out over the edge of our soul, looking for...whatever is on the other side of it. "It's what it implies. A fourth mate!? I can't handle that -"

"Look closer at them, baby," mom urges. "See?"

I do as I'm told, paying close attention, my wolf nudging the bond with her nose...

And as she does I realize that it's...different. Different from anything I've ever felt, different from my bond with Jackson, or Luca, or Gabriel. Somehow...smaller, more silvery and light, and incredibly, incredibly thin-

And...

And cute.

And that it's not one bond at all, that it's...

My eyes fly open. "Two?" I breathe, awed, mesmerized, terrified.

My mom's face breaks into a big smile. "Two!" she says, delight all over her face.

I just stare at her, dumbfounded. "Mom," I whisper, horrified. "I can't...I can't have five mates...that's insane."

She bursts out laughing, making me jump a bit. "Baby, you don't have five mates. Look again. What...what else could it be?" She bites her lip, incredibly excited.

I just stare at her, my face wrinkled in confusion, and turn my attention inwardly to

see -

To see my insane wolf -

Laying on her belly between the two tiny, tenuous bonds, nuzzling them warmly with her snout, each in turn - howling for joy because -

Because -

Because they're...they're ours.

Our -

Our...

"Babies," I whisper, my eyes flying wide.

Mom stays still, a little creaking squeak of joy barely suppressed in her throat as

she tries so, so hard to let me feel however I want to feel about this.

Even though she is clearly, clearly fucking overjoyed -

"Oh...oh my god..." I whisper, shock running through me even as my wolf prances between the two little

bonds, licking each in turn beforee

throwing herself down on the ground and rubbing her body allnoveldrama

over

them as best she can, claiming them

as her own.

"I know!" mom says, all squeaky and thrilled, raising her hands to her mouth and

pressing her fingertips to her lips. "You're "

"Pregnant!" I whisper, my eyes flying as wide as two round moons.

Mom starts to dance in place, her shoulders shaking for joy, and suddenly - as my shock breaks - a smile starts to spread across my lips.

She shouts then, seeing me accept the reality of it, and throws herself forward, grabbing me into a big hug. "Oh my god, Ariel! Congratulations, baby!"

"Mom," I whisper, still awed, laughing a little. "There...there are two of them!"

"Twins!" she says, a little shrill and shrieky. "It's so great! Two little babies! Two little baby babies, all at once!"

I just hug my mom back, barely breathing, still awed and completely freaked out even if my wolf yips with happiness, loving her little soul pups already, celebrating their existence by dancing from paw to paw

en

"Oh, sugar how are you feeling?" mom asks, doing her best - and failing to rein in her own emotions so that I can figure out my own. "I'm sorry I'm having trouble-

en

"No, it's okay," I whisper, sitting up and pushing away from her a little, fear and joy

and wonder and terror racing through me all at once. "Mom, how did this

happen?"

“Well,” she says, tilting her head to the side. "Were you...slacking on your medicine?"

"N-no!" I sputter out, shaking my head fervently. I go back in my mind suddenly, trying to remember everything, but honestly I have been diligent. "Mom, I've been very careful..."

Mom just grins at me, biting her lip.