noun ~ an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing

The first thing I discovered when I entered the room, is how unprepared I was.

I had barely set foot through the threshold of the dining room before I was pulled into way too many arms to count. I was hit with multiple familiar scents, the strongest source being that of my brother Leo. I laughed at them, my arms squished between Molly and Leo. Charlie and Sean were somewhere in this strange embrace, but I couldn't make out who was who whilst stuck in Leo's armpit.

"Guys! Guys, come on." I groaned when they squeezed.

"Okay, okay, let her breathe." Phoenix's deep chuckle came from behind me.

Charlie let out a sound of disagreement, whilst Molly and Leo pulled away. I laughed at him, raising one arm to pat him on the back.

"Charlie, there's enough of me to share." I teased.

He snorted, pulling away from me to cup my cheeks. "I know, you're just so squishable."

I frowned at him, but he merely laughed, pulling away to go and stand beside Calida. She was stood off to the side beside Rose, both of them giving me small smiles in greeting. It was nice seeing them down here, Calida had obviously grown some confidence, accepting Charlie's company as he stood so close to her. Rose was also more confident, not so much of a whispered voice in the loudness of the house anymore.

"Go sit, I'll make you something." Phoenix murmured, kissing my temple.

He must've seen the brief panic on my face because he paused, lowering his head back down to my ear.

"Go sit beside your brother, you're okay, remember?" He murmured.

I swallowed but nodding, accepting another small kiss before he left the room. The familiar faces of my family all gathered around one circle table and I nervously made my way over to my twin. He gave me a broad grin, wrapping his arm around my shoulders in a side-ways hug.

"Hey, Nova." He smiled. "Nice to see you down here."

"Hey," I breathed. "I'm glad you're okay."

He rolled his eyes. "Well, you did bloody pin me down to take your blood."

I laughed lightly, shrugging. "I couldn't leave you to bleed to death."

He smirked at me, his arm falling from my shoulder to grab the mug of coffee on the table. Pollux never usually drank coffee, so I guessed he was suffering with bad nights too.

"So, Nova."

I narrowed my eyes, turning to my Beta. His shoulders squared at my expression, his hands clasped in front of him. He was sat opposite me at the table. Beside him was Calida, Rose, Sean, an empty seat, then me. On his other side was Leo, Molly, and finally Pollux.

I raised my eyebrow at Charlie's words. "Yes?"

"Uh, how are things?"

"Things?" I wondered.

"Yeah."

"Things."

"Yeah, didn't I just say that?" He mumbled, looking at his mate with a scowl.

I giggled. "Things are okay. Things are hanging on."

His eyes softened. "Good."

I could see the question on the tip of his tongue, in fact nearly everyone on the table had the awkward aura of questions. Only one thing I could think of would get such a reaction, and as soon as I made eye contact with my tired-looking best friend, I knew she wouldn't hold on much longer.

"You're pregnant."

I blinked slowly, my eyes wide with her bluntness whilst everyone laughed. "I am..."

She blushed, shaking her head. Her head fall into her hands as a groan escaped her lips.

"I don't know why I said it like that." She mumbled.

Leo laughed, rubbing her back as she slumped over the table. I raised an eyebrow at him but he just shook his head.

"Now that the elephant has been called upon, how are things? Is... is everything... okay?"

I smiled softly, nodding at my big brother. "Everything's good."

"Yes!" Charlie grinned. "Uncle duties in full force."

"You do realise you are not my actual blood brother, right?" Phoenix's voice filled the room.

"Way to ruin it." Charlie grunted, dismissing his Alpha's chuckle.

I thanked Phoenix when he set down a small plate of food before me. It was only toast and scrambled eggs, but the glass of orange juice was a familiarity I had missed. I couldn't wait to taste it after so long, my hands reaching for the icy glass.

"Go steady." He murmured as he sat beside me.

I slowed down my gulps to smile at him. His hand came around the back of my chair, pulling me closer to him so our knees were touching. I saw Pollux frown, but continued to drink from his mug of coffee. I picked up the first slice of toast, the warm buttery crunch tasted so good. Who thought toast could taste this good?

"So have you seen Kate?" Molly asked, finally recovered.

I nodded, my hand covering my mouth as I hurried to finish my mouthful. Thankfully, Phoenix cut in, saving me the embarrassment of rushing my mouthful.

"We have had a scan, if that's what you're wondering." He smiled kindly at her.

Her eyes widened, an excited squeal escaping her. I nodded eagerly, licking the butter from my lips as I met her gaze. I couldn't help but let my eyes wander, finding a bump similar to Kate's laying beneath her tight t-shirt.

She grinned. "So... when are we being blessed with the Alpha pup?"

Phoenix knew I wanted to keep the multiple a secret for now, so he shrugged. "We aren't sure. There are no records on Lycan birth rates and obviously none for werewolf mixes. If we wanted more details, we'd have to conduct research for a more accurate due date."

"But we aren't going to do that." I interjected. "Going on wolf pregnancies, some time in April."

Molly squealed again, causing Sean to grimace on the other side of me. "So many babies! I'm so excited, they get to grow up together and everything!"

"Hey, you gotta push them out yet." Sean grunted.

Molly's face fell slightly but she brushed him off with a casual scoff. "And I will master that. It's just a big Kegel exercise right?"

"I dunno, I remember a woman giving birth and it looked a lot more work than a Kegel exercise." Rose muttered.

I snorted into my food, causing her eyes to flicker to me with a smirk. "Let's not talk about that over the dinner table, I'd like to keep the nausea down."

Multiple laughs met my ears and I smiled softly as the conversation continued over breakfast. It felt nice to interact with the people I classed as my family. I had both of my brother's here, my sister-in-mating and my closest pack friends. I had reconciled with Sean, debated zipping Charlie's mouth shut and felt proud of the two new girls for settling in so well.

Meanwhile, Phoenix's arm never left my chair, his fingers playing with my hair absentmindedly. Our thighs brushing created a buzzing energy, one I slowly felt eager to let burn me up. I shifted slightly, pressing my leg closer to his thick thighs. I saw him glance at me from the corner of my eye but I didn't turn around. He hummed lowly, arm leaving the chair to wrap around my waist. Without a moment to prepare, I was pulled into his lap sideways, now facing my twin.

The table erupted in laughter at my blush, Charlie teasing his Alpha for his possessiveness.

"She's my mate, I can do as I please." Phoenix scoffed.

"Just keep it PG, yeah?" Pollux snorted.

"Sure thing, brother." Phoenix chuckled, squeezing my thighs.

My eyes widened as did my twin's. The conversation paused for a brief second before Phoenix continued speaking about something to Sean. Pollux and I stared at each other in shock, Phoenix's dismissive admittance to their 'relationship' was not going to be overlooked. My mouth widened in a grin, my eyebrows dropping with mischief. Pollux licked his lips nervously, shaking his head.

'Did he just call me brother?' His voice met my mind.

I grinned. He's accepted you as family. That's amazing.

'Is it?' He wondered.

I nodded. He doesn't let anyone in, even I don't know the full extent of why, so take it.

His eyes narrowed in thought but he nodded, lifting his mug to finish the contents. When Phoenix suddenly stood, I gripped onto him with surprise.

"Where are we going?" I shrieked.

He chuckled, turning me around so my legs clung around his hips. Now head height, he pushed his face closer to capture my lips. I deepened it, the tension easing with the fluttering of my stomach. His hand tightened on my thigh, pulling me closer.

Someone cleared their throat. "Uh, hello, I did not pay for this."

Pulling away, I giggled at Charlie's words. Phoenix was scowling, but held me in the same position. Everyone was stood, various mugs and plates in hand.

"Where are we going?" I wondered.

"Just me and you. I have a surprise for you." Phoenix murmured.

"A surprise?" I frowned.

He chuckled. "You'll like this one."

"Okay..." I hummed.

Saying our brief goodbyes, Molly awkwardly hugged me whilst I clung to Phoenix like a baby bear.

"I'll catch up with you later. You need to go to this surprsie first."

"Yeah, okay..."

When they disappeared, I gave Phoenix a warning glare. He chuckled, turning from the dining room to walk down the halls. I knew the way we were going; it was the back of the house near our office. He stopped outside the heavy doors; soundproof and scent-proof to avert unwanted attention.

"Why are we at our office?" I asked.

"Your other surprise is in there."

"Okay..." I murmured.

He smirked, setting me gently on my feet. Taking my hand, the other pushed against the door. I stared up at him with worry but his soothing gaze told me I shouldn't worry.

Turning around, I faced the opening door, taking a step inside once it was wide enough for the both of us. What I saw made my breath catch, immediate tears pooling in my eyes. How had he done this?

"Mum! Dad!" I cried, launching myself into their awaiting arms.

They soothed me softly, my tears drenching my father's shirt. Things were unintelligible, my body reacting to my parent's touch more than I realised. I felt home, I felt safety in their familiar scents.

Pulling away, Mum wiped my tears. I stared into her blue eyes, wonder and shock coating my features as I took her in. I haven't seen them in person for so long, and after everything that has happened, I wanted nothing more than them. Mum's eyes were just as teary as mine, her auburn hair darker now it was winter. Dad's cooling brown were crinkled in the corners as he met my gaze, his hair weirdly cut short.

"You cut your hair!" I choked a laugh.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Only a few inches."

"I told him not to go that short, but he did it anyway." Mum chided.

Dad scowled at her. "Lulu..."

Mum shrugged, turning back to me. "How are you feeling, baby?"

"Better now you are here." I smiled. "How did you get here?"

Their eyes glanced to the statue of my mate behind me, and I turned to sneak a glance at him stood by his desk. It wasn't awkward, he was patiently waiting for something.

"Your mate... uh..." Mum hesitated, casting a look to my Dad.

I raised an eyebrow in suspicion as she stumbled over her words. "What?"

"I transferred them here." Phoenix spoke.

My eyes snapped to his with shock. "You-what?"

He chuckled, handing me a piece of paper. "Permanently."

My eyes greedily ran along the words on the page, confirming his facts with two Alpha signatures along the bottom. My mouth agape, I looked between the three of them in shock.

"You did this?"

"Yes, my love."

My lower lip wobbled as I turned back to my parents. "You guys get to live here?"

"Oh, Ember." Dad sighed, pulling me back into his arms.

I cried softly into his touch, Mum's hand rubbing warmth into my back. Phoenix excused himself, promising he'd be back if I needed him. We sat in silence, the only sounds were the gentle sobs or hiccups that escaped me. Every fear I had felt the past few months, in particular the past few weeks, seemed to float away. Here in my parent's arms, I felt a safety that came close to my mate's. I guess sometimes, all you really needed was a parent's hug. I was grateful that I had both of them to guide me.

***
BOOM another update
Bit of a happier chapter, yeah?

My man Phoenix making up for all his wrongs 🥺

NEW COVER IS UP AHHH I couldn't wait any longer lol

wc:2138

Don't mind me just jammin to 5sos' new song 😩

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What is something you wish you could own?
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