My Triplet Alphas

New beginnings

The sunlight filtered softly through the hospital window, casting a golden glow over the room as I sat in the reclining chair, holding Zack in my arms. His tiny body was still hooked to a few monitors, but he was doing so much better. The NICU nurses had allowed me to hold him more often now, and every time I did, it felt like a piece of my heart stitched itself back together.

Zack stirred, a soft coo escaping his lips. His tiny hand curled around my finger, and I smiled despite the ache still lingering in my body from the surgery. He looked so peaceful, his little chest rising and falling steadily. His scent—soft pine and something distinctly new—was soothing.

The door creaked open, and I looked up just as Zaylen and Zarina crept in, followed closely by Ellie, who waddled forward with excitement. Zaylen’s face was a mixture of awe and nervousness, while Zarina looked ready to burst with joy.

“Is that him?” Zarina whispered, eyes wide.

I nodded, adjusting Zack in my arms so they could get a better look. “This is your baby brother, Zack.”

Ellie clapped her hands and reached for him, and I leaned forward so she could gently pat his tiny foot. She giggled, her curls bouncing, and I couldn’t help but laugh softly too.

Zaylen took a cautious step closer. “He’s so small,” he murmured. “Is he okay now?”

“He’s doing much better,” I said. “Still a little early, so he needs some help from the doctors. But he’s strong.”

Zarina leaned her head on my shoulder, her voice quiet. “He smells like all of us a little bit. But also like you.”

I blinked back the tears threatening to form. “He’s lucky to have all of you already loving him.”

The door opened again and Zander stepped in. I knew it was him the moment the pinewood and sharp rain scent filled the room. I’d learned to tell them apart now, their scents imprinted in my memory like a second language. Zayden’s scent—warm clove and smoke—was comforting and grounding, while Zavier’s sandalwood and lightning held a calm strength. But Zander’s scent always brought a strange calm to my nerves.

Zander smiled as he looked around the room, pride evident in his gaze. “Looks like the whole crew’s here,” he said, walking over to us.

“Where’s Zayden?” I asked softly.

“He had to return to the pack’s affairs this morning,” Zander replied. “Our father’s been covering for us, but… well, it’s time we started stepping back into things.”

Zaylen’s expression shifted with understanding. “Dad says we still need to protect the pack even when stuff happens.”

Zander ruffled his hair affectionately. “That’s right, bud. But we always take care of our family first. That’s why we’re here now.”

I watched the way Zander gently reached down to stroke Zack’s cheek. The tenderness in his touch mirrored the warmth in his amber eyes. In that moment, the bond between them became even more real. This baby, who came from such darkness, was surrounded by light now. Love. Safety.

“Amber wants to see you’” Zander added, glancing toward me. “Zavier’s with her now. She asks about you.”

Relief poured through me like a wave. “She’s okay?”

“She’s healing mentally, physically she’s good. It’ll take time, but she’s strong.” He hesitated. “She remembers everything. The bunker. You. What you did for the others.”

I nodded, heart aching at the memories. “She kept me sane in there.”

Zarina tugged on my sleeve. “Can we help take care of Zack too?”

“You already are,” I said with a teary smile. “Just by being here.”

Zander knelt beside me and rested his hand over mine, both of us holding Zack together. “We meant it, Cassidy. We’ll raise him with love. He’s ours now, as much as he is yours. You don’t have to do this alone.”

His voice cracked a little near the end, and I knew he wasn’t just talking about the baby. He meant everything. The trauma. The healing. The future.

“I don’t know how to do any of this,” I whispered. “I’m still trying to understand what it means to be marked. What it means to be… someone’s second chance.”

Zander’s thumb brushed over my knuckles. “It means you’re not alone anymore.”

And for the first time in a very, very long time—I believed him.