Torn (The Alpha’s Triplets)

EMMA I moved my head in sync with the song playing, feeling a bit dreamy and lightheaded. It is roughly six in the morning and my eyes are already fully open, unable to sleep any longer, I guess change is harder than I thought. The song shuffles to Eastside and I smile, getting up from my large bed, and slowly moving my body to the beautiful rhythm. I walk to the bathroom carefully and stare at myself in the mirror, my blue eyes staring back at me, with my red hair falling all over my face. I used to be young and so beautiful that my peers envied me but now, I am no more than a cloud of my former self and surprisingly, I’ve never been this content with my life. "Mommy?" Fuck, guess I wasn't as quiet as I thought. I turn to face my daughter -- Camilla, who is seven, her green eyes and brown hair staring back at me. "Hey baby," I say, throwing my hands around her, and pulling her close to me. "Did I wake you up?' I asked, kissing her forehead. "No," She says, then laughs. "Well, yes, but I always wake up with you,” She shrugs, and I laugh, kissing her cheeks hoping she didn't wake --- My train of thought screeches to a halt when they walk in -- Rosaline and Lucien. "Hey Mom,” They chorus and I retort with a huge beam. "Hey babies,” I say, laughing softly, staring at my three children, triplets, go figure. _____ "How was your night?" I ask, serving them toast. "Not particularly,” Lucien says, gazing at me with beautiful blue eyes and touching his brown hair. "I had one where I slayed a monster,” Rosaline looks at me mischievously and I laugh. She is my replica, my blue eyes, and red hair, but her father’s manners, God help us all. "Really, what kind of monster?" I humour her, taking a bite of my toast. "A big man who grew and had horns,” She says, and I chuckle. "I had that dream too,” Lucien and Camilla perk up and I laugh loudly, the three of them make my day full of laughter and wonder. "Eat quickly, we don't want to be late, my loves," I say and they nod, concentrating on their food. I pack our lunch, making sure their snacks are there and everything is set. I am thirty years old, the mother to three beautiful children, and a teacher in their school. I wasn't comfortable with letting them out of my sight for hours -- who could blame me, so I got a job where I could be with them every time. "Hope there won't be a teachers’ meeting today, Mom?" Lucien says. "Yeah, Mom, so we can go to the Ice Cream place, please,” Camilla says, and I laugh. "The day is just starting, here is to a beautiful day,” I say, and they nod, pleased. "Let's go,” Rosaline claps, and I shake my head in amusement as I lock the door, and we file into my car. _____ I am a kindergarten teacher. It is a nice job but doesn't pay much. I would have taken a job at the restaurant or coffee shop a few streets away, but I have three kids. "Hi, Miss Kendrick,” Flora walks in, not sparing me a glance, then talks to her child, little Caleb. I moved to New York five years ago. For a very long time, I have lived in various places, trying to outrun the past, making sure it doesn't catch up. I was pregnant, so I had something to live for. I remember my reaction when I was told I was carrying triplets, I was beyond mortified, triplets, how would I raise them, I was confused and just twenty-three. At that point, I knew I had to stop running, even for a while. So, I used my savings to get a house and a car. I met Flora when I moved to New York, she helped me get the house and was there for me when things got rough. But I kind of cut her off when I had the babies. Even after our friendship fell through, she still helped me, she got me this job. I wish I could have saved our friendship, but I couldn't tell her a lot of things, including who my children's father is. It was a bit ironic and hilarious that after all my race against the past, I settled in New York, but this pack -- Silver Moon Pack felt a bit like home, and Flora felt a bit betrayed when I kept secrets from her, I will do anything to protect my kids, even losing a good friend. _____ I stare at Luc, Rose, and Cami as they play with their friends. My beautiful children are well known and loved amongst the pack. I would never admit this out loud, but sometimes I wonder if he did the right thing, if he thinks about us, if he thinks about me the way I think about him. "Mother,” Cami says as they walk to me. "Children," I say with a smile, leaning on my old car. "Ice cream time?" Rose asks, and I smile. "Wait, Rose. Mom, was today a good day?" Luc says, and I smile wider. "Of course, dummy, it was a good day,” Cami says, linking her hands with her sister's. I take Lucien's hand in mine and say "I have the three of you, today is always a good day. However, we will get ice cream after dinner, so while I drive home, think about what you want for lunch and dinner,” "Mac and Cheese,” Lucien and Rosaline shout. "Spaghetti and Meatballs!" Camilla matches their tone. For the next twenty minutes, yells of -- Mac and Cheese, with Spaghetti and Meatballs fill the car, making me smile. It is not easy raising three children who are werewolves. Everything is tripled for them, and I have to hold their hands through everything. Despite the bittersweet moments, I am a proud mother and can hardly wait to see them grow up beautifully. "How about we get mac and cheese now, then for dinner spaghetti and meatballs,” I say, opening the door, but they only grumble, so I throw in another incentive. "We can get whatever flavour of ice cream you want,” I add, and they burst into cheers. _____ I glance at them. Rose is in a blue top and brown skirt, looking so cute. Camilla is in a green dress, and her hair is in a beautiful ponytail. Lucien prefers to dress differently, so he is in black pants and a grey shirt. "We could go to the bookshop after,” I say, and Rose perks up, while her siblings shake their heads. "Let's go now, Mom. We can get for Luc and Cami too." She says, and I smile, she is the reader amongst them. "No, thank you," Camilla says. "I will pass," Luc says teasingly. "Oh shut it, I have the perfect book for your minds, trust me,” She says, and I watch their interaction. "To the bookshop, then," Cami groans but smiles nonetheless. _____ "You just have to try to read it," Rose says. "Oh, okay," Luc responds, looking at the book she gave him, it is the first and second Harry Potter. She gave Cami Percy Jackson, the first and second. "Promise?" "Yeah, we will read it," Cami smiles, placing her hands around her neck. "Stay here, I will get to the front and get your desired flavours," I say, and oddly enough, they are enthralled by the book in their hands. "Hi, Dave," I say, walking past the queue. "Hi Emma, where are the kids?" He says, and I gesture to them. "How was your day?" I say when he scoops the kids’ usual. "Good, I can see the kids kept you occupied too,” He says and I laugh. "Thank you," I say, pay him, and walk back to where the kids are, only to find no one. I look around, hoping they are somewhere, but I see no one. I start to get scared but hope they are hiding. I see the note on the floor, and the ice cream falls from my hands. And suddenly, the world became nothing but a blur of images and a cacophony of sounds from passers-by. I'm sure I released an ear-piercing scream but I couldn't hear myself. My last vision was that of people gathering around me before I gave in to insanity. You should have said goodbye. Now, you would never see your kids again. Maybe, I will carve little Rose's face and feed them to her sister while their brother watches. Tick, tock. Oh my God!