Artemis and Apollo (Storm Ridge series book 1)

Rain smacked against the siding of the pack house, the wind rattling the glass panes of the windows as a storm raged outside. Alpha Ruger was pacing the living room, his dark hair messy and his lips set in a thin line. something has him on edge. "Ruger, I think I smell one of the patrols." his beta, who was sitting stiffly by the fireplace, half growled. Both men stared at the front door until three men burst through. the storm outside filled the first floor with a cacophony of noise before the door was shut hard again. As soon as the sound of the storm had gone it was replaced by the distinctive cries of babies. "what's this?!" Ruger snarled. "Alpha, we found these by the north western border. We tried to find out who left them but the rain has washed away any trace. what do you want us to do with them?" one of the men explained and held out a rain soaked basket. As Alpha Ruger was trying to think his Beta walked up and took the basket. he scowled down at the two crying babies. but after a moment his scowl faded into a look of concern, then shock. "Alpha Ruger, you need to see this. there eyes..." Ruger stalked over to the basket and peered down. one of the babies was bigger, maybe a year old. the smaller of the two was so tiny it had to have been born early and not very long ago. they were both still crying but when they both opened there eyes Alpha Ruger was shocked. "get them out of that basket, find something warm and dry to wrap them in." he commanded. his beta lifted both babies up gingerly and set them back down on the plush carpet by the fireplace. as he tried to make them comfortable two beautiful women marched in. Alpha Ruger had clearly woken them both up via mind link. "Luna, Alice." the beta greeted quietly. "Ruger said something about babies?" the blonde woman spoke through a yawn. both men nodded in unison and the beta moved so the women could go see. the red heads face scrunched up as she saw them and they both started fussing over the babies. taking them out of the wet blankets they were wrapped in and stealing two from the living room that were dry. "they need clean diapers, and dry clothes. the pack doctor should take a look at them too." Alice, the red head, murmured as she lifted the smaller of the two, and added "and some formula, I think they're hungry." "did you see there eyes?" the beta asked. both women looked back at the babies who now opened there eyes at the same time. there eyes were a vibrant and bright orange, almost like the color of fresh copper. "what does it mean?" The Luna whispered. "I don't know, love." Alpha Ruger said mysteriously after two days of taking care of the babies Beta Aaron and his wife Alice called a meeting with the Alpha and Luna. "what can we do for you two? are the babies ok?" Luna asked with worry. "they're doing good, that's actually what we wanted to talk to you about. the doctor says the boy, the bigger of the two, is probably 10 months old and the little girl is only a few days old and likely was premature by at least a month." Aaron, the beta explained as his wife gripped his hand. "who would just leave their babies out in the rain like that? it's horrible." the Luna shook her head sadly. "we don't know. but... you both know Alice's condition... after the accident she can't..." Aaron started and was stopped by Ruger holding up a hand. "yes we know, you don't have to say it." "we want your permission to adopt the babies." Alice blurted, desperate tears filling her eyes. "you both want this?" Ruger raised an eyebrow. "yes, I admit I've become fond of them as well." Aaron answered, Alice was almost shaking at his side. a wide grin broke out on both the Alpha and Luna's faces, "of course you have our permission. we were hoping you two would want them." The Luna beamed. "they're going to need names." Alpha Ruger grinned as he pulled out some paperwork from his desk. without missing a beat Alice spoke proudly, "Apollo and Artemis."