Beneath a Moonless Sky - Book One (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Nine

The next morning, I woke to the soft cries of Mia and Luca through the video monitor. With a big stretch I reluctantly left my soft cloud of a bed to feed and change them. Their cries silenced when they saw me and Mia waited patiently, gurgling to herself in the crib, while I changed and fed Luca. When Mia and Luca were both fed and changed, I walked out with them to the kitchen, placing them in their bouncers where I could see them from the kitchen. Their soft gurgles filled my heart with joy as I prepared my breakfast and made some coffee for myself. 

I sat quietly at the table eating my breakfast as I pondered how I was going to shower with two babies, when a soft knock came from the door. Checking in on the twins on the way I opened the door to a beaming Magnus, in training gear. 

“Morning.” He was definitely a morning person. I thought to myself as he bounced his way into the house and making a beeline for Mia. 

“Poor Luca will feel left out if you show all the love to only Mia.” I joked heading back to the table. A guilty look took over Magnus’ features and he turned to Luca. 

“Nothing against you, old chap.” He started in a fake British accent, making me giggle. “But Mia has stolen my heart.” Luca just smiled softly up at Magnus and gurgled his acceptance. Rising from his crouch by the twins he sat across from me. 

“Hope you don’t mind me popping in. I thought you might want me to show you the training grounds and get you started. Emma is down at the day care right now prepping it for the twins so we can get started.” I nodded my head and got up to put the dishes in the sink. 

“Of course.” I said excitedly. I was keen to get started on training. With the twins being so little they were needing my protection more than ever. “Let me just change really quick and we can head out. Would you mind getting the baby stuff together for me and I’ll meet you out here in a moment.” I spun and ran to my room, changing into comfortable leggings, a sports bra, and a loose-fitting tank. Satisfied with my clothes I snagged my socks and sneakers and headed to the nursery to see a very confused Magnus holding up a handful of nappies and diaper cream. He glanced over at me with a comical worried look on his face and I ran to help him. 

“Sorry,” he muttered “I don’t know the first thing about babies. Emma and I have only just started talking about trying.” I felt joy in my heart at the thought of them being parents and smiled kindly at him. 

“Well, you can just use Mia and Luca as training until that happens. They can never have too many overprotective Uncles around.” Magnus smiled widely at his new uncle status and turned to the babies’ bag again. 

“Alright sensei, teach me your ways.” With a giggle I began showing him what to pack. After that was done, we both headed out of the nursery and began strapping the twins into their carriers, me teaching Magnus how to properly secure Luca into his before I strapped Mia into hers. Clicking the carriers into place on the pram we were off to the day care. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a purple sheen on the sky above, a slight frost covering the ground as we walked. I watched Magnus as he pushed the twins in the pram, bending down to whisper to them. He would make a wonderful father. We arrived at the day care to the happy greetings of Emma, who smiled fondly at the sight of Magnus pushing the pram. 

“Father in training coming through.” He joked as he pushed the twins into the nursery of the day care. Emma and I just chuckled whilst rolling our eyes. It was harder than I thought saying goodbye to the twins. I smothered them with kisses that I knew if they were older, they would have protested. After a few more kisses I was pulled away to the training grounds by Magnus where Colin was standing in front of a group of at least one to two hundred men. And by the looks of it I was the only woman. I turned my attention to the front as Colin began addressing the men, my palms sweating with my nervousness. 

“Alright men, we have a new addition to our training group, Elaina.” He gestured to me standing at the back and all eyes turned to me making my cheeks aflame with embarrassment. I have a little wave, shuffling my feet. “I want you all to treat Elaina with the same respect you would any other warrior. She is not just a woman when she trains with us, she is part of the pack. Understood?” Nods from all men, some more reluctant than others. I could hear some of the men protesting to have to train with a woman but were silenced by the glare of Magnus next to me. 

“If anyone has a problem with Elaina training with us they will have to deal with me.” Magnus growled. “She is here to strengthen herself like all of you. Magically she could probably string you all up by your balls. So, buck up.” 

“Yes Alpha.” The unity of the phrase made my skin vibrate. They were all so in tune with each other is was as if it had been one voice. Shaking it off I turned back to Colin. 

“Alright men, and lady.” His smirk made me smile. “5ks to the trees then back, let’s go.” They all took off and I followed. 

“Only do what you’re able to Elaina.” Colin said as he slowed to run next to me. “I don’t want you to injure yourself the first day. We can build up your endurance over time. So please let me know if it’s too much. K?” I nodded and tried to keep pace with the rest of the group. By the time we got to the tree line my legs were on fire, but I pushed through the pain knowing that it would only make me stronger. If I wanted to protect myself and my family, I had to be stronger. The run back to the training grounds was harder than I thought, my calves and thighs burning and protesting the new action of running so far. I felt like collapsing when we finally reached the end of the 5ks and gratefully took the water bottle that Magnus offered, gulping the water greedily like a man caught in the desert. 

“Drop and give me 100!” I stared in shock as the men all dropped and started their push ups and quickly followed suite. I got to twenty and my arms collapsed. There were a few scoffs around me as I rubbed my arms, the muscles screaming. Steeling my resolve, I got into position and kept trying. I got to fifty before I couldn’t do any more. I felt like my arms would fall off and they had begun to cramp. Colin pats my shoulder and smiles.

“You did well. Some men when they first start their training can’t even make it to thirty. You’ll get there.” I smiled gratefully at him. 

“100 sit-ups. Go!” I nodded and sat on the grass and did as I was told. 

By the end of the training session I couldn’t move my body. Everything hurt, muscles I didn’t even realise I had hurt. I lay on the grass trying not to breathe too much to avoid moving any part of my body. An amused chuckle sounded from above me and I glanced up at an amused Colin holding his hand out to help me up. I took it and groaned as my body screamed. 

“You did really well today Elaina. Some of my seasoned warriors were put to shame by your resolve today. I can only imagine what you’ll be like when we’ve built up your endurance more.” I smiled shyly and stared at the grass. 

“I didn’t want to seem weak to any of them. Some didn’t seem incredibly pleased to be training with a woman.” Colin shook his head and walked with me as I began heading home. 

“Man or woman, we all need to learn to defend ourselves. Be proud of yourself Elaina, it’s not easy starting new with seasoned warriors watching your every move.” His smile calmed my frazzled nerves. 

We arrived at my little cottage and I unlocked the door. “See you tomorrow. Bright and early.” With a salute he was off, and I watched him go before heading in. I headed straight for the shower where I soaked my body in the steaming hot water, relishing in it as it loosened my tight muscles. Half an hour later I was reluctantly turning off the flow of water and getting ready for work. I was definitely going to feel every sore muscle tomorrow and throughout the day. Dressed and ready I left for work, glad that I was sitting at a desk all day. 

***

The next day was much the same as the day before. Waking up to feed and change the twins, eating breakfast, dropping the twins off at day care, another gruelling training session and then off to work. By Friday, my body had begun to get used to the brutal treatment but was definitely still sore. I’d participated in some sparring today, whereas I’d just observed up till then. Colin had taught me how to block and defend, and how to break a choke hold. I was glad that training was not on weekends though. I think my body could use the rest. I’d also been keeping up with my magical studies, having organised a witch to come to the pack to tutor me. I could feel my magic growing with each day, and it was definitely tied to my emotions. A point that was proven during one of the training sessions. One of the men had made a derogatory remark towards me to his friends as I bent over to stretch out my muscles. I wasn’t about to let him speak to me that way and my anger sparked my magic without me knowing. Next thing I know he’s flung back by an unseen force and pinned to a nearby tree. His eyes had rounded like saucers as he stared at me in shock. 

“Keep those disgusting comments to yourself, got it?” I’d grit through my teeth. The man had nodded frantically as the men around me stared in shock and apologised. Taking a deep breath, I’d felt my magic release him and he’d landed harshly to his feet. Magnus had been a laughing mess on the floor to see one of his warriors put in their place by a witch, and soon the men followed suite. I was working on controlling my emotions when it came to my magic, not wanting to injure someone because of it.

Saturday morning was a much lazier one than during the week. I woke up same time to feed and change Mia and Luca but when I was done, I curled back into bed with them, watching them sleep peacefully. They were my life and I couldn’t believe I had them. If only Lucian were here. But he wasn’t, and he would probably never know that he had two wonderfully adorable children. He would never know how much his son looked like him. He would never know how much I missed him, and how much I found myself getting lost in the memories of that night. I yearned for his touch again, for that fire that danced across my skin as he touched me so tenderly yet so urgently. I don’t think any man could ever make me feel so alive, so desired as he had that night. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted one to. The thought of another man touching me, caressing me as he had made me cringe. He was my only. My Chosen. A witch’s version of soul mates. No man’s touch but his could ignite me the way his had. 

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the front door. Scooping up the twins from the bed I placed them in their bouncers and answered the door. 

“Colin? What are you doing here?” Colin stood shuffling his feet nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck. 

“I, um, I was just wanting to ask you something and I knew if I didn’t do it now I’d chicken out. And Magnus has already told me that you’d had a fella and such. But I’d kick myself for not trying. Because you’re amazing Elaina. And I’ve only known you a short time but you’re so different from the rest of them, so I thought what the hell?!” I stared confused at him as he babbled on. 

“Colin, your babbling.” I said with a soft smile. His eyes widened and he ran his hand over his hair. 

“Sorry, I-” a little wail sounded from behind me and I ran inside to see who it was beckoning Colin to come in and finish whatever he was trying to say. He watched me quietly as I picked up a grumpy looking Luca and soothed him. I nodded to him to continue while I rocked Luca. 

“I was just wondering, and you don’t have to feel any obligation whatsoever, I don’t want you to think you have to because you don’t. You’re an independent woman and I understand that wholly. In fact, even if you said no, I would understand and-”

“Colin. What are you trying to ask?” I interrupted. 

“Would you like to go on a date with me?” He spoke really quickly that I almost didn’t understand him. I couldn’t help the shocked expression on my face and saw his own face fall at my reaction. “Yeah. Stupid. Sorry. Shouldn’t have bothered you.” He began to walk out, and I stopped him. 

“Colin, wait!” He turned back to me slowly before I walked up to him. “I really appreciate you finding the courage to ask me. And if the situation I was in was different I definitely would have said yes.” He smiled sadly at that. “My heart is unfortunately taken by another. And although they may never return, I can’t love any other. And I could not do that to you either. I could not allow you to love me wholly, whilst I belonged to another heart and soul.” I reached out and touched his cheek, making him look at me. “I really hope we can be great friends Colin, because you have become a very important person in my life in this short time, we’ve known each other.” Colin pulled me into a soft hug, avoiding crushing Luca. 

“Of course, we’re going to be the best of friends.” With a small wave and a big smile, he left. I placed Luca back into his bouncer and set about making myself some breakfast. 

“What was that about?” Fergus asked as he walked in and scooped up Luca, smothering him with kisses. 

“What was what about?” I asked handing him a tea. 

“Colin just left here with the biggest grin. Did you finally reopen the barn for business?” I stared at him in shock. 

“Fergus! Of course not!” With a cheeky smile he shrugged and sipped at his tea. “My goodness Fergus, what do you think I am?” 

“A woman with eyes. Love, that man is a masterpiece of muscle and ass, if I didn’t have Connor in my life, I’d be trying to get some special training. If you get my drift.” His eyebrows wiggled and I knew what he meant. Taking my son away from him I rocked back and forth. 

“Don’t corrupt my son already, he’s still too young!” I scolded but couldn’t help but smile at his cheeky nature. “Look, I’ll admit Colin is genuinely nice to look at and is an amazing guy. But Lucian was... is my Chosen. My heart cannot go to another and it would be unfair to pretend otherwise.” I glanced down at my beautiful son smiling sadly. He really did look so much like his father. “Colin deserves someone’s whole heart, not part of it. I have come to accept my spinster life without a man.” Fergus shook his head, anger in his eyes. 

“If I ever meet this Lucian chap, I’ll rip him to shreds. How could he just sleep with you and then disaster into thin air? What kind of man does that?!” I placed my hand on his, which were fisted tight sitting on the counter. 

“What’s done is done Fergus. I wouldn’t change a thing, because it brought me my four greatest treasures and led me to this amazing place. It is hard knowing I will never see him again, but I’m comforted in the fact that I have you and Connor and now an entire pack to call my family. I have so much love and support surrounding me now, more than I’ve ever known or thought I’d have. This is my future and I wouldn’t change the past for anything.” He pulled me into a tight hug. 

“Well, just because he’s got your heart doesn’t mean you cant take a dip in the waters.” His eye brows wiggled up and down again and I chuckled softly as he hugged me tight again. 

“Love you witch.” He mumbled softly. 

“Love you dog.” We both chuckled and I handed him Luca when he reached for him. 

“I’m going to take a quick shower before I head to the shops with the twins. Can you watch them for me please?” With a shooing motion he nodded and turned to place Luca in his bouncer. I smiled as he sat in front of them, his legs crossed and began speaking to them as if they’d be able hold a conversation with him. I truly was so grateful to have family like him and that my children would grow up not knowing what a life without love was. After the initiation ceremony tomorrow, they would be part of a pack, one giant family that would protect and care for them, teach them right from wrong and how to shift when the time came. My parents had always been somewhat supportive of me, even if my mother directed me to the things she really wanted to me to do. I never once argued, just wanting her to be proud of me. She tried to mould be into her vision of what I should be. The twins had been a major spanner in her expectations of me. I couldn’t regret pushing her from my life. She was my mother, sure, but she never really acted like one. She chose her path and she must follow it. But my path was my own to make and no longer would her hand guide me in the wrong direction.  No longer would her words change my resolve. I had an amazing family now who would hold my hand and walk with me but never pull me in directions that I did not want to go. That’s what family was supposed to be. And I was grateful that that is what I’d found here. Tomorrow I would be part of a pack and I could not wait. 

I hopped out of the shower and quickly got dressed before heading out with the twins to find a dress to wear for tomorrow night.