“Okay, we’re ready,” Levi said, taking my hand and leading me to where Raven was standing. “Be gentle with her,” he warned.
“Of course.” He took my hand that Levi offered him and pulled me to him.
Oh boy, this is bad on so many levels. Just keep your head, Charity, and remember that your husband is watching.
He pulled my hair to the side. Hmm, something about this felt oddly familiar. I cringed, waiting for the bite. “Relax, my queen,” he whispered softly in my ear. And—then I did. When his lips touched my skin I had to remind myself that I was a happily married woman and that Raven was a vicious vampire. His bite was even gentler than I expected it to be. My mind was mush and just beginning to slip into oblivion when he pulled away. “All done. I have all I need.”
That snapped me out of it. “Well, what could you tell?”
We all waited in anticipation for the news.
He hesitated.
“Raven if you don’t tell us right now I’m gonna find a wooden stake and pierce you with it.”
He smiled. “Well, you are definitely pregnant with a male child, but—”
“Oh, Levi!” I jumped up into his arms. “We’re having a boy!”
He laughed and spun me around.
My laughing suddenly stopped short. “But what, Raven?”
“You had better sit down for this. You too, Levi.” When we did he continued. “You are carrying a male child—this is true, but—there is more than one.”
Levi and I both gasped and stood simultaneously. “Twins, oh, Levi!” I laid my head on his chest, feeling panicked as I remembered how most twins are separated at birth.
“Um, excuse me, my queen, but I did not say twins.”
I noticed Hector stepping closer.
We both peered at each other before looking over at Raven.
“There are three male children growing in Charity’s womb.”
I laughed…hard. “Well, at least the pressure is off to have a son.” In the next second I went limp in Levi’s arms—again.
Chapter Thirty
When I came to, Levi was lying on the bed next to me, eyes closed, and Hector was standing over us.
I propped up on my elbows, feeling slightly groggy. “Hector, what are you doing here? And what’s wrong with Levi? I thought he caught me when I fell.”
“Yes, Mrs. Charity, Levi caught you,” he smirked, “and then I caught Levi.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. Levi was the strong one and to think of him passing out at the news of triplets was downright hilarious.
I gasped. “Triplets!” Then I was out cold again.
Levi and I did eventually come to, though it seemed to take all afternoon. After that, I found that I couldn’t seem to get out of bed. I actually stayed in bed for three days, crying and praying. Joseph and Irena had separated Levi and Eli in order to save their lives. How had they been able to do that? I couldn’t think of anything more horrible. And we were having three. What would that mean for us? Levi was so worried about me, but I couldn’t seem to think about that. All I could think about was the fact that we may have to separate our boys from each other when they’re born. If we wanted them to have a future we wouldn’t have a choice. But how could I do that? How could I send any of them away? I needed to talk to Irena, so I sent for her. She came immediately.
“Oh, honey, I’ve been so worried about you. How are you doing?”
“I think I’m starting to come to grips with it a little bit. How did you do it, Irena? How’d you send one away?”
“Oh, honey, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I don’t regret it, not for a minute. A mother does what she must for the benefit of her child. But just because that was the right decision for us doesn’t mean that you and Levi will have to make that same decision, and you don’t have to make it right now. Just enjoy this time and be the best you can be for your husband and babies. I love you like my own daughter. I hope you know that, and if you decide to keep the babies together I’ll do everything in my power to help you. You know Levi’s hurting too. He needs you right now.”
When she said that, something clicked inside me, and I knew she was right. I was worrying about something that wasn’t upon me yet. When the time came, Levi and I would make the right decision, and we’d do it together, but that day was a long way off.
“Thank you, Mom.” I kissed her cheek, threw the covers back, and got out of bed. I went straight in the bathroom and showered. When I emerged I had a renewed spirit and went in search for Levi. I found him in the meeting room where he was having a conversation with Doc.
I stepped through the door. “Levi.”
He turned and froze. “Charity?”
I ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck and holding on as if my life depended on it. He pulled me against him and held me so tight I could barely breathe. “I’m sorry, Levi. I know you need me too. I haven’t been there for you, but I’m here now, and I love you.”
“Oh, baby, I love you too—so much.”
I pulled my head back and peered into his beautiful eyes, my feet still dangling off the ground. “Everything’s going to be fine. I know that now. These boys are going to have everything they need. And we’ll do our best by them, right?”
He smiled. “Right. Everything is going to be just fine.”
With that I smiled and hugged him again.
He sat me down on my feet and proceeded in telling me that Doc was concerned about the affect three boys would have on my health. He had come up with a plan to hopefully help. He’d been charting everything I’d been eating and the affects it’s had on me, and came up with a menu of safe foods and ones to avoid at all costs—rare meat to name one. He had also been working on a multivitamin especially for me so that I’d keep what I needed as well as meet the needs of three babies. I had to hand it to him, he definitely had his work cut out for him—no doubting that. I was at once thinking much better about him as far as my mom was concerned. Maybe I should be rooting for him after all.
“Levi, I think we need to put emphasis on our wedding. With triplets I’ll start showing sooner. I want to be married before I start showing.”
“Of course. Do you still want to have a double wedding?”
“Absolutely. That way we can share the spotlight. I don’t want the sole focus to be on us. It won’t seem so strange that we’re marrying so young if our best couple is doing it along with us.”
“Good thought. Let’s get up with Josh and Ashley and get to work on this right away. How soon would you like this to happen?”
“Is a month too soon?”
“No. We planned our first one in a little over a week, remember?”
“How could I forget? That was the most stressful week of my life.”
“Yes, for me too.”
I gave him an incredulous look. “How was it stressful for you?”
“I had to deal with you.”
“Oh yeah.” Then we both laughed.
The week that followed was great. The eating program Doc created for me was working, and I felt fabulous. I had energy, the good kind, and was feeling strong. Levi even commented that he noticed a change, no surprise there.
Ashley, Irena, and I were knee deep in wedding preparations and yet I was feeling playful. One of the highlights of my day was playing hide-and-seek with Hector, though I’m sure he’d disagree. I would disappear and he would be frantic to find me. He was more on alert than usual so losing sight of me caused him some anxiety, which I found amusing. He’s always so serious.
Everyone had been informed of the news that we were expecting triplets and the place was abuzz with excitement. Most seemed to think it was a sign of great things to come. Never before had an alpha had male triplets, or triplets of any kind for that matter. I don’t believe in all the sign bull, but I do believe that God has a plan for all of us, and in that moment, I chose to believe that it was just the beginning of the great things He had in store for Levi and I.
He pointed down the hall and said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
I stared at him for a moment. “Okay. Thanks.” I took off running ahead until I spotted him. “Levi!”
“Oh, there you are.”
I stopped in front of him, stood on my tiptoes, and whispered in his ear. “I’ll race you to the room.” Then I was gone. It only took him a second to respond, and then he was on my heels.
I bounded into the room and collapsed on the bed, laughing. Levi was only seconds behind me. We were both slightly out of breath. “You let me win. And I love it so much when you catch me,” I teased.
“No, I didn’t.”
“Oh stop.”
“No, Charity, I didn’t let you win. You really out ran me.” He had a look of amazement on his face.
“Really?”
He laughed. “Really.”
I grimaced. “Great, does this mean we have to go see Doc again?”
“Absolutely.”
Chapter Thirty-One
“Okay,” Doc began, “here is what I think is happening. I think these babies are somehow passing their strengths and abilities along to you, Charity. I’ve never heard of this before, but like we’ve said before, you are the first human to ever carry an alpha male, and three of them on top of that.”
“Let me get this straight,” Levi said, “you think the babies are making Charity strong and fast? That somehow they’re passing along werewolf strengths through their blood connection?”
“Yes.”
“Well,” I interrupted, “I did hear Levi tell Hector yesterday to keep and extra eye on me. And I thought that was kind of weird.”
Levi was looking at me in amazement.
“And why was that weird?” Doc asked.
“Because Levi was in his office with the door shut.”
“Well, that’s not that unusual.”
“It is considering he was in the A Wing, and I was in the R Wing, walking on the treadmill.”
His mouth fell open. “I see your point. Let’s try something. Charity, come sit here at this table across from Levi. Now, I want you two to arm wrestle.”
“Um, Doc, I will not hurt my wife.”
“No, I want you to take it easy and test Charity’s strength.”
Levi wrapped his hand around mine and smiled. “Ready when you are, dear.”
I smirked. “Yes, of course, darling.”
I began to give it a little pressure to make sure Levi wouldn’t pull my arm out of its socket, when he didn’t I pulled with all of my strength. Our arms began to move to my left. Levi pulled, and then they went to my right. We danced this dance for a few minutes, but soon I began to tire. Finally, I gave one last ditched effort and pulled hard, and Levi let me win. I knew this because of the wicked smile on his charming face.
“So, Levi, explain what happened.”
“Well, I let her win, but it wasn’t easy. I thought she had me there a few times.”
“Really?” I beamed.
“Hold on now. Don’t go getting any ideas. I’m still the stronger of the two of us and you’d better remember that.”
I mock pouted, but in my mind I was already thinking of ways to take advantage of my strength, and he knew it.
“Well, I think it’ll be pretty cool to be strong for a change. I’m always the weakling around here. I like being fast too, but more than these, I like being able to hear secrets.”
“Now, Charity, you’ll have to remember to be careful. You’re not use to being strong. You could hurt someone,” Levi said.
“If you mean you then you’re right. Doc, are we done here?”
“Um, yes.”
“Good. Come, Levi, let’s retire for the evening, shall we?”
“Anything my wife desires,” he said, taking my hand and leading me away.
As we walked down the hallway toward our room, whispering things we planned to do to each other, Irena approached. “Levi, dear, I hate to interrupt you, but we have a problem with Grandmammy.”
“Great. What is it now?”
“Well, people are gathering in her room claiming to have sore throats and such in order to drink some of her moonshine. I hear even some of the younger pack are there as well.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, between his eyes. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll handle this.”
When we entered the B Wing it was crowded with people stumbling around and laughing. “Uh oh. It looks like she’s giving this stuff to whoever asks for it,” Levi said in frustration.
As we stepped into her room we spotted the younger members gathered around her while she looked down their throats.
“Grandmammy, may I have a word with you—alone please.”
“Of course, Leroy.”
“Everybody out!” he demanded, and everyone scattered as if someone yelled, “GameStop is having a clearance sale!”.
When the conversation was over, the arrangement was that no one could have any of her now famous concoction, unless they had a prescription from Doc. I’m sure this is gonna please him greatly.
At breakfast Levi told everyone what Doc said about the babies giving me their strengths. They were in awe. All of a sudden everyone was looking at me like I was the queen of England or something. Even though it was creepy, I kind of liked it. Finally, some respect.
Levi, it seemed, was proud of me, like he’d married a werewolf after all. After the babies were born I’d return to my normal, boring self. I hoped he wouldn’t be too terribly disappointed. Although I was afraid I might be more disappointed than him. Super powers were totally addictive. I hadn’t told Levi, but I had also developed somewhat of a spidey-sense, so to speak, and it seemed to be getting stronger by the day.
I was driving through the mountains on my way home from visiting Ashley, concentrating extra hard on obeying the speed limit, when something darted out in front of me. I slammed on brakes, bringing the car to a screeching halt, causing my breathing to come fast and hard. I sat there for a moment and peered out at the road. A dog suddenly stepped into view, his head down and tail between his legs. He was a dirty and pitiful sight. I got out and went to him, kneeling down at his feet. He whimpered and put his paw in my hand. My heart melted as I gazed into his big, sad eyes. I knew Levi wouldn’t like it, but I listened to my heart and ushered the dog into my car.
I walked through the facility searching for Levi, the dog tight on my heels, and heard his voice coming from the lobby. When I came into view he froze.
“What on earth have you done now?”
“This is our new pet to the pack,” I declared proudly.
“No, Charity. You already brought in a pet. Remember how much trouble that one caused—is still causing?”
“Levi, this one is different.”
“Baby, we have twenty shift-changing werewolves in this place, why do we need a dog?”
“I didn’t say we needed him, but just look at him, he needs us. I’ve named him Fang. I think it’s appropriate for a dog belonging to werewolves, don’t you?”
“Fang?”
We both glanced down at him, and he cocked his head and wagged his tail, his long tongue hanging out to the side. “Okay, so he doesn’t look much like a Fang, but maybe if I feed him some red meat it’ll toughen him up.”
“I don’t think so. Look at what it did for you.”
“Fine. You got a better name?”
He studied him for a minute, his eyes widening in amusement. “How ‘bout Gummy?”
“What?”
“He’s missing some of his teeth, Charity.”
“Oh no!” I knelt down and pulled open his mouth. Levi was right. Two of his front teeth were missing. Thankfully not his canines or I’
d never live it down. “Poor thing. Probably lost them while attacking some wild animal, fighting for his life.”
“Yeah, more like he lost them from lack of use,” Levi murmured.
I covered Fang’s ears. “Sshh, he’ll hear you. I don’t want him to have an inferiority complex. Do you think there is such a thing as doggy dentists, and if so do they make doggy dentures?”
He actually rolled his eyes at me—rolled—his—eyes. “Only you could find a toothless dog and name him Fang and expect him to protect a pack of werewolves. Charity, you know I love you just the way you are. And I would never ask you to change, but you have got to stop rescuing every sad case you run into. I know you’re bored, and you’re still trying to find your place here, but trust me, this is not the way. In case you haven’t noticed, we already have enough crazy creatures living here.”
“Fine, on one condition.”
He perked up. “Great. What condition?”
I put on the saddest face I could conjure up. “You let me keep him.”
“Charity, that dog needs to be put to sleep not brought into a pack of werewolves.”
I covered his ears again. “Maybe all he needs is to have a purpose. Maybe he can alert us to danger.”
Suddenly the dog perked up and began barking relentlessly.
Hmm, did he understand me?
At that exact moment Raven walked into view. I held on tight as the dog went berserk, growling and barking; although his bark made a strange whistling sound. It must’ve been those missing teeth. One look from Raven’s piercing eyes and the dog hushed and laid down.
“Hmm, maybe he could be of some use after all,” Levi said in amusement.
“Oh, Levi, thank you.” I hugged him.
Raven stared at us for a moment, looking at Fang, then us, then back to Fang again. “Does this mean we have adopted yet another helpless animal?”
Charity Rising (Charity Series Book 2) Page 17