Fighting for her Mate

7

Karla checked their diapers. “When we brought them home from the hospital, we put each in their own cribs. And they all cried and cried. Nate and I were at our wit’s end. Then, one time, he put them all in one crib to change their diapers and they instantly stopped crying. We figured it was a sibling thing where they wanted to be together. I’m sure you’ve heard that kind of story before.”

Lael nodded. “Yeah, I’ve seen shows on TV that talk about twins and triplets having an uncommon bond other siblings don’t have. It’s like they know what the others are thinking or when the other is hurt. That kinda thing. What are their names?”

Karla reached down and grabbed the toes of a little one. “This is Matthew. He’s the oldest by five seconds.” She blew kissy faces at the boy and Lael was shocked to see the baby gurgle at his mom. Karla grabbed a second little foot. “This is Michael. He’s the second baby. And in front of you is our little girl, Madison.”

Lael smiled and brushed a finger down the child’s bare leg. “I could tell she was a girl, even though she doesn’t have any hair like the others. She will be special.”

Karla’s head snapped up, worry evident in her gaze. “What do you mean by special?”

Lael slapped a hand over her heart. “I’m sorry, Karla. I didn’t mean she’d need special care, but that she will be like no wolf in the pack. She will possess abilities others do not. Those talents need to be exercised and celebrated and not suppressed. To stomp out creativeness is to kill the soul.”

A relieved smile spread over Karla’s face. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Lael gave a nod saying that’s all she could ask for. She reached in and wiggled the feet of the little girl. “They’re so cute. Have they shifted into their wolves?”

Karla shook her head and tickled the second boy’s tummy. He blew bubbles at her. “Barbara said they won’t be able to shift for a while. Something about them being too young to understand their other side. It’s like the wolf’s soul half hasn’t joined yet with the baby’s. They have several years to go. Barb said this was a safety measure so they don’t accidentally shift and not be able to shift back.”

Lael stared at Madison. Worry grew in the pit of her stomach. “Wow, I wouldn’t have ever known that. Interesting.”

Karla looked around the room. “Do you see the baby bag?” Lael joined in the search.

Lael frowned. “I don’t see anything. Did you leave it in the car?”

Karla sighed and caressed the babies’ heads one more time. “Apparently I left it somewhere. I’ll be right back.”

Lael watched Karla leave the room, then hurried to close the door as quietly as possible. She tiptoed back to the crib and lowered the side rail. She laid a hand on the first infant’s belly. She had to do this for them and hope it helped when the time came.

“Matthew Wolfe, I hereby grant thee the protection of the lupra gods by joining you and your beast’s soul as one. May you grow early in wisdom to start your path toward your destiny. May you live a long and happy life and obey your queen in your mind and heart.”

She quickly laid a hand on Michael. “Michael Wolfe, I hereby grant thee the protection of the lupra gods by joining you and your beast’s soul as one. May you grow early in physical and mental strength to start your path toward your destiny. May you live a long and happy life and obey your queen in your mind and heart.”

When she came to Madison, she went down on one knee. “The Powers that be, I thank you for bestowing upon me the sight and knowledge and honor of blessing our future queen of the sisters.”

Lael stood and placed her hand on Madison’s forehead. “Madison Wolfe, may the light of the Powers fill you, keeping you safe through your trials and tribulations yet to come. May you grow in the knowledge of your people until the day you bring all into the fold as one family. Listen to your brothers’ wisdom and depend upon their strength, for their purpose is to guide you along the pathway to your destiny. May you live a long and happy life and obey the Powers in your mind and heart.”

She raised the crib’s rail and re-opened the door. Karla stepped into the hall, a large bag decorated with cute baby wolves slung over her shoulder.

“I left it in the kitchen when we came in. I swear I’d lose my head if it weren’t attached.”

Lael laughed and took a slow breath. “Well, you have a lot to deal with. You’re doing a way better job than I ever could.”

Karla sighed. It was always hard to wonder if she could possibly be better than her mother. “Barbara ensured me that being a good mother was innate in most women. I’m relieved she’s Grandma. I’m not convinced of my own innate-ness. My mother didn’t do a great job while I was growing up.”

Lael laid a hand on Karla’s shoulder. “You turned out wonderful. You learned to be a great mother by raising yourself along with your two siblings. You know right from wrong and never falter from the path. I know you’ll do a great job.”

Karla held Lael’s look until a noise from one of the children broke the silence. Lael smiled. “I should be going now. My bar shift starts soon and I need to get home and change. It’s great to finally meet and talk with you. Seems like it’s been forever.” With that, the bartender left the room.

Karla turned to the silent babies staring at her. She had a fleeting thought that her children at that moment were hundreds of years old, not weeks. A chill ran down her back. It must’ve been from the feeling Lael gave her. Why did the woman say it seemed like forever since she wanted to meet her? They’d only known about each other’s existence for a few years and she’d seen her here and there, even though they hadn’t really had a chance to have a conversation like tonight.

Lael also felt certain Karla would be a great mom. She looked at her three children with love exploding in her heart. “Well, cutie pies, I hope she knows something I don’t. I’m not that confident. But with your daddy by my side, we’ll do our best.”