A New Era
Lifewould never be the same for humanity. Four months ago, Kai revealed thewerewolf race to the humans. Since then, we had to fight a lot of fires.Militias had popped up all over the world; rebel humans that didn’t stand withtheir government or the police. They joined with the werewolves and sought outvampire dens and nightclubs, slaughtering vampires that put humans in harm’sway. But race protectors had also become a problem, humans that thought vampiresandwerewolves didn’t deserve to be here, that it was unnatural andEarth was for humans only. The result was a blood bath, calmed only by reportsthat the werewolves were a small species that was naturally dying out and wereharmless to humans in comparison to vampires that needed humans as a foodsource. Sort of a lie because more and more mated couples were having children,thanks to my gift of finding mates. Kai couldn’t go out in public like he usedto and our lives on the mountain had changed. All human residents of Mount Hoodwho didn’t agree with the werewolves, had left. They abandoned homes, shops,everything. It was creepy. The other werewolves were able to keep under theradar, but Kai’s face was all over the news.
Iwas itching to find Layla, but every lead we had went dry. I was desperate toknow if she was pregnant or not. The clock was ticking from when she bit mefour months ago and had become fertile. Now, I had Emma on bed rest preparingto give birth and it racked my nerves. Werewolf pregnancy was dangerous and Itried not to think about it as I sat at Kai’s office desk tinkering with somedried herbs, learning to make spells. I wasn’t able to get over to see thewitches as often as I wanted. They had managed to escape the limelight andwanted to keep their race a secret. The door creaked and I looked up smiling,sensing Kai. He walked in and gave me a look. His chestnut eyes were hooded,his wild brown hair fell in tousled waves across his forehead.
‘You’restressing,’he told me.
Isighed.‘Not really,’I lied.
Hecame up behind me and slowly massaged my shoulders. Mmmm. Then he spun thechair around and faced me. Reaching my hand out, I rubbed the stubble of hisstrong jaw and he kissed my nose.
“Wewill find Layla, and Emma will be fine,” he declared out loud. As if that wouldmake it true.
“Okay,”I said, because he was trying to make me feel better. Nothing would make mefeel better until Layla was a pile of ash.
Hisphone buzzed with a text. “It’s Emma. She wants us to come over.”
Ijumped up, heart pounding. “Is she okay? Is it labor?” I wiped my palms on myjeans. I was ready; I had read all the books, taken all the classes.
Kaiplaced two hands on my shoulders. “She’s fine. She said she just wants totalk.”
Ireleased a shaky breath as Kai watched me in anxiety.
Wewalked to Emma’s, hand in hand. The weather was perfect. Summer. Everything wasin bloom. The trees stood tall and thick around our property on Mount Hood. Iinhaled. God, I loved this mountain. Kai knocked before letting himself in. Emmawas not to leave the couch. Even at thirty-six weeks along, Diya didn’t wanther to go into early labor if she could help it.
Diya,Kai’s sister and the pack midwife, was tending to Emma on the couch. Diya’s ownpregnant bump was showing. How far along was she now? Nearly four months.Almost every mated couple I had brought together was pregnant. Ten, twentyyears from now, our numbers would be stronger. Diya gave us a quick hug andthen left.
Igazed at Emma on the couch. Her bright red pixie hair and vibrant green eyes werethe unique marker of my best friend. So beautiful but so broken after losingher mate. My stomach dropped at the thought of Devon’s death, sacrificinghimself to save me. I don’t think the pack will ever truly heal from that loss.Emma’s hands were rested upon her giant belly. She was huge. I know you weren’tsupposed to say that to a pregnant woman, but it was okay to think it, right?Her belly looked so swollen, like she would pop at any moment. I leaned downand placed a small kiss on her cheek. My best friend’s happiness was everythingto me.
“Hey,pretty mama,” I peppered her with a compliment.
Sherolled her eyes. “Shut up. I’m gigantic.”
Ishared a look with Kai.
“You’renot gigantic. You’re just really pregnant,” I told her.
Shewaved me away. “Whatever. I wanted to talk to you both about something serious.Please sit down.”
Isat down with unease and prepared myself. Had Diya found a placental abruption?Low amniotic fluid? I had researched it all. I was Emma’s birthing partner andI wanted to be ready for anything.
Kaigently took her small, pale hand in his. “What is it, sweetie?” he asked withconcern. Kai had never said it out loud but Emma was his favorite, mostcherished pack member. I knew it; I could feel it.
Emma’seyes filled with tears, her lips pursed. Turning to me, she met my eyes.“Before Devon died, we had a talk. We agreed that if anything happened to us,we wanted you and Kai to take care of the baby.”
Tearslined my eyes. “Nothing is going to happen,” I said as emotion constricted myvoice. Why was she saying this? Kai kept it together for the both of us, gazingat her with a strong and loving look.
“Devon’sgone now, Aurora. I have to be practical.” She pulled out some papers fromunder her pillow. “Sign these and if I die, it gives you full legal custody.Devon signed them before he …”
Istood up. “No! You’re not dying. Do you understand me?” A mirror on the wallrattled as mist leaked from my skin. “Life won’t be that cruel. It won’t,” Istated to the universe. I could feel the Devi stirring inside of me. Thewitches had discovered that I had two affinities, healing and future sight.They also discovered I was a Devi. A soul had attached to mine to help with abig life purpose. They compared the soul to an angel but it still freaked meout. She had awoken with my anger and now I struggled to calm her.
“Calmdown,” Kai told me firmly and put his Alpha power into the words. My miststopped immediately and I took a deep breath.
Emmareached for my hand. “Aurora, you don’t understand. You’re not a mother. Youdon’t get it. I have this life inside of me. This helpless thing that dependson me for survival. I need to make plans just in case. If you don’t agree, I’llchoose Diya and Trent.”
Myheart crushed. “Of course, I agree.” I dropped to my knees and hugged her.
Emmanodded. “Going into labor, I need to know that everything is set up.”
