Sienna
After parting with Betty and Ama, I drove to the triplet's school. It was a quaint private school which cost a lot, but was worth it to me. Their safety and my desire for privacy truly was met with this school. As soon as I stepped into the large reception, the three sets of footsteps rang out.
Their scents made my nostrils flare and my smile widened unconsciously.
"Mummy!" It was Cleo, and I reached my arm out to take her. Caleb and Charles were not far behind. Charles practically tried to bowl me over as he shoved himself into my arms while Caleb walked towards us at a sedate pace. He was the oldest of the three, and I found he was too calm compared to Charles.
"Alright, I'm here," I chuckled lightly.
I waved goodbye to their class teacher and led them to the car. One by one they entered the back seats, sitting on the plush leather.
Charles began to babble about how his day went while I got into the driver's seat, turning on the ignition.
As I drove, I heard practically every detail from Charles, from how the teacher punished a classmate to the toys they played with at recess. Meanwhile Cleo shut her eyes and began to doze off while Caleb interjected once in a while to correct his brother's stories.
I hummed, noticing idly how Caleb scratched idly at his hand.
"You alright, Caleb?" I asked softly. He glanced at the back of my head, discomfort on his face.
"I'm just tired Mummy," he finally said, low enough that I almost missed it. I nodded, but noted silently that Cleo stretched and tossed in her sleep. She too appeared to be worse for wear.
Could it be..?
I pursed my lips. It was the full moon this weekend. Was it already time?
I had once expected them to shift earlier in their childhood. Seeing that they hadn't up until now, it was a mix of relief and trepidation that filled me whenever that thought came to my mind.
What was I going to do?
How could I handle this?
I couldn't recall the last time I too had shifted, and my wolf always whined internally, the void in my heart remained enough to swallow me whole.
Moon Goddess, please, I thought desperately. Let them stay in this illusion of safety until the next year. I'd be ready for this next year.
Even when I knew it was a lie, I prayed thus. Because I would rather do anything else, even put myself in harm's way, than to reveal the truth behind their identities to anyone. I didn't want to shatter their view of the world. They were still just too young.
I turned onto the street leading to the grocery store. Given they were exhausted, I wanted to buy them some ice cream to relax them.
However, that turned out to be a colossal mistake.
As soon as I stepped out, I froze in my tracks, the door half-open.
That scent.
I raised my nose to the air unwittingly and took a big sniff. It was too real. Too close.
Victor. The man that had betrayed me for my sister. Gemma's mate.
What was he doing here?
My heart skipped a beat, anxiousness pouring through my pores. I looked around, eyes darting. No one. I still couldn't relax. This wasn't a dream, nor did I take this to be a joke. What would Victor, a wolf, do among the humans?
I wasn't sure what to do. To step forward and confront the fear, or to hide and ensure my safety first.
"Sienna."
That voice.
I was startled out of my wits, and reacted quickly. Without turning towards the voice I re-entered the car and slammed the door shut, locking it. I had to get out of here.
My heart was in my throat as I sped off, turning several times before entering traffic.
What was going on?
How did they find me?
Tears prickled my eyes, but I refused to let my emotions get the better of me. Not now.
I glanced at the rearview mirror, seeing my three babies snore soundly. If it cost me my life, i wouldnt ever let him near them.
I reached the house in record time. With a strength I didn't know I still possessed, I held Charles in one arm and Cleo in the other. Caleb had jolted upright, wide-eyed and rubbing his bleary eyelids as he followed me inside obediently.
No sooner had I shut the door and locked it then the sounds of footsteps drew nearer.
"Mummy, what's wrong?" Caleb was more astute, noticing my state.
I rushed towards the windows wordlessly, pulling the blinds shut. The knock on the door came anyway.
Oh Goddess," I whispered under my breath, my gut roiling. Nausea was heavy, and I exhaled sharply, waiting for the knocking to stop. They wouldn't dare to barge in, would they? This wasn't a werewolf city. The law of humans was far different.
"Sienna," I heard it, muffled but there, right outside the door. Victor. It was really him. My knees went weak but I leaned against the wall. I listened. "Just open the door. This doesn't have to get ugly."
"Stay away!" I shouted back, my voice cracked on the last word.
"Your family misses you, Sienna. Come on. You know you don't have to act this way. Those children are yours right?"
Damn it.
A tear rolled down my cheek. He knew. That meant I was done for. My children…
I had to find a way to ensure their safety. And I failed this time.
"Think of them, Sienna. Trust me, you will not regret it. All you have to do is let us in," He sounded not one bit caring, and that was what scared me. I remembered it all, the way that my family, my own parents and sister, had treated me. And how the rest of the pack condoned it, all because they believed I was a witch, All because I looked different. How would they act with my kids?
"You don't have a choice, either you come willingly or by force."
Victor's words struck right at my heart, He was right. I had to make a decision fast. Not for my sake, But for THEM.
I walked over shakily, opening the door. As soon as I did, I saw his face, his expression morphing from anger and frustration to triumph and a sense of glee. His lips quirked up into a smile, one that I couldn't trust.
"Good girl." he said.
…