Aria’s POV
Kade’s birthday starts at 5:47am.
Not because he wakes up. Because Kai does.
Every year. Since birth.
5:47am — the minute Kade took his first breath. Seven minutes later, at 5:54am, Kai follows. Screaming.
Twins.
Today, Kai crawls into Kade’s bed at 5:47 on the dot. Shoves Mr. Woof over. Whispers: “Happy birthday, Kade. You’re old now. Six.”
Kade blinks awake. “You too. In seven minutes.”
“Still first,” Kai grins. “I let you go first ‘cause I’m nice.”
“You went first in Mommy’s tummy,” Kade mumbles. “Doctor said. You just got stuck.”
Kai gasps. Affronted. “Did not.”
“Did too. Mommy?”
I’m in the doorway. Coffee. No sleep. Watching my twins bicker at dawn.
“Mommy says breakfast,” I say. “Pancakes. Both of you. Before the pack wakes up. Before
