adjective ~ perceptible by comparison

PHOENIX

I couldn't put off visiting my cousin any longer. After completing all of my pack checks necessary, I had to give him the results.

Nova was eighteen weeks pregnant, her stomach wonderfully noticeable. Every night I cradled her to me, my arms secure around the gentle movements of our child.

Three children and I was only twenty-eight.

I couldn't believe it.

It was not the best of times to have a child, but at least they would have each other growing up. The twins were getting so big now, sitting, eating and sleeping the night... Babies didn't stay babies for long. They were loud, bubbly and entertaining, and it was only a matter of time before they started to walk.

My bet was on Belle.

It was my birthday soon, too, and I knew Nova was going to do something overexuberant that I didn't need. Last year was sweet, but the entire pack barbeque and night of drinking wasn't necessary. I'd take a night in our home together over that any day.

My life, once full of shades, had turned to colour, but that didn't mean I wanted to exasperate every single one of them. It took little effort to figure out where I wanted to spend most of my time and attention, and that was wherever Nova and our pups were.

But right now? I was packing everyone's bags for this afternoon whilst also on dad duty. Why?

Because Molly was in labour again.

Talk about timing. I just hoped it was a safe labour because the plane was scheduled for this evening.

I mean, because her safety is important.

Half-way through breakfast, there was an alarm through the pack bond. I immediately sourced it to the heavily pregnant female at the same time Nova did. After forcing my mate to take her food with her, she left me with nothing but an eye roll and a sarcastic bite of her bacon sandwich.

Little minx thinks she'll get away with it.

The kids were going to bed early tonight. I would make sure of it.

With the twins napping, it gave me enough time to pack our things for the weekend. We would take them with us, and they needed a lot of damn things. From nappies, to bibs, to the copious amounts of socks, their suitcase contained more things than ours.

Originally, it was going to be us four, plus Leo and Nova's guard James, but now Leo would have to stay behind. I'm certain one guard would be enough, but there was that other part of me that doubted every shadow.

We were going to the castle; it's one of the safest places around.

By the time the twins were awake, I had packed everything and placed all the bags by the front door. I had just prepared them some food when they started to cry. First, it was Freddy, and then, in their odd little sync, Belle joined in.

I hurriedly threw the semi-cooked veggies into the boiling water before making my way downstairs. Their cries softened as I grew near, and my chest filled with a joy like no other as they recognised my presence. Their senses were growing so much, I wondered if it was my scent or sound that they acknowledged.

Pushing the half-open door wider, I stopped dead in my tracks as my eyes locked in onto Belle. She was white-knuckling the crib as she stood on two feet, babbling incoherent words. Inhaling sharply, I was fast to approach her and pull her into my arms.

"Look at you standing up! Aren't you getting so grown up?"

She giggled, grasping my rapidly growing beard with glee. My fingers tickled her sides until she released her grasp, taking my shirt into her hands before stuffing it into her mouth.

I swear this kid got a new tooth every day.

Turning to Freddy, he watched us with calm eyes. Sat patiently, he reached out for me as I approached. I scooped him into my spare arm, kissing his temple softly as I greeted him.

"Have a good sleep, little wolf?" I murmured.

He made a soft sound of comfort, nuzzling his cheek into my shoulder. My wolf grumbled with delight and I carried them back upstairs. I settled them in their high chairs with a plain digestive before turning to finish their lunch. It didn't take long; the vegetables cooked through and were ready in the time it took me to bring the twins upstairs.

Plating it up, I just set it down on their trays when the bond rippled. My head rose, staring at the front door as my mate grew closer. She was elated despite her huffing, and the moment the front door opened, her entire body relaxed.

"How did it go?" I wondered.

My rosy-cheeked mate sighed softly, removing her coat and shoes. "It went well. It's another girl."

I chuckled with amusement, knowing how much Leo wanted a boy. "Did she stay at home?"

Apparently, Molly was adamant about having a home birth this time after the successful delivery with Reya. I felt the bond once she was created, and it increased as she was born, however I wouldn't truly feel her spirit until she gained her wolf. Until then, she was just a juvenile, a wolf in human's clothing.

The addition of so many babies made me ponder our pack's safety. As I watched Nova fret over the twins and their mess, well, Freddy's mess, I double checked our patrols. They were normal with no alerts, which pleased me as much as watching Nova with our children did.

"How much did she weigh?"

"Kate came round with some damn luggage scales." Nova snorted. "But eight pound three."

"Chunky girl."

"For sure." She giggled.

My arms curled around her middle, spinning her into my arms. She flushed as I kissed her, her fingers curling into my collar.

"You did great."

"You weren't even there." She quirked an eyebrow.

"I am in spirit." I grinned.

She scoffed, rolling her eyes as she moved to the fridge. "What are we eating?"

"It's in the oven. I wasn't sure when you'd be back." I shrugged. "It's still warm, barely been in there five minutes."

Her eyes widened with glee at the pasta that lay in the ceramic bowl. I may not be her mother, but I had practically begged the woman to help me learn her recipes.

Mid-mouthful Nova paused. "Did my mum make this?"

"I did."

"You?" Her eyes widened, swallowing the spaghetti noodles. "You made it?"

"I did." I repeated, amused.

"How?" She blinked. "It tastes almost as good as my mums."

"Almost?" I tutted. "That is her recipe."

"Well, she definitely didn't tell you one ingredient correct." Nova mused. "But it's definitely number two on my list."

I frowned, picturing the narrowed eyes of Nova's mother. She did seem rather protective of her recipes; but she was the pack chef! She had to share! Her carbonara was apparently sacred; but it was so simple.

Turning to glance at the twins, I laughed. "They enjoy it without complaint."

They also had carbonara, but along with it was a plate of various vegetables. We were trying to leave them to explore their palette, and so far, Freddy turned his nose up at most foods. He swallowed the pasta first and left nothing but the sauce on his shirt. The carrots were mostly gone, but the broccoli and peas were strewn across the tray and floor. And let's not talk about what was in his hair...

I think he's going to need a bath.

Belle, however, ever the hungry child, was always good with her food. She took her time eating, exploring every texture with her eyes before chewing. She too had eaten all of her pasta, and was slowly working her way through the veg. Belle was tidy too; with only the sauce around her mouth left as evidence.

Comparing the two, it was comical how much they differed. Freddy was a calm baby, but chaotic when in the highchair. Belle was mischievous, yet composed around food.

"That is your fault." Nova muttered through mouthfuls. "Freddy doesn't like broccoli."

There were little beads of it everywhere, and I grimaced as he smashed another one into the floor.

"He has to keep trying it." I insisted. "At least five times."

"I think he's tried it fifteen times." She giggled as he flipped his plate. "He doesn't like it."

"Damn stubborn tiny wolf." I muttered, squatting to pick up his plate.

My son watched me with observant green-blue eyes. Peering down at me from over his tray, his lips curled up into a grin as I stared up at him. I felt something hit my head and momentarily paused as whatever it was settled into my hair. Nova was barely containing her giggles, and the moment I made eye contact with her, she exploded. It only caused Freddy to join in with her, proceeding to throw more food from his tray.

I rose to full height with a grumble, picking the now green-tinged spaghetti from my hair. "I am an alpha wolf."

My son giggled with glee, mouthing his fistful of carrot.

"I rule a strong pack." I continued. "My blood is one of the oldest werewolf lines. I could be the damn king, and yet... I am on my knees picking up after a tiny wolf."

His eyes lightened with humour, his hand moving to reveal the four teeth beneath his grin. My heart softened, and I ran my hand through his blonde hair. It was getting long and rather curly, and I debated tying it back, but it was too late; it was covered in food.

"But I wouldn't change it for the world." I muttered.

He babbled some more nonsense as I turned to carry the mess to the sink. Nova watched me with a soft gaze, the bond tugging with admiration. I noticed her bowl was empty and made a point of filling it up again. Her eyes brightened, happy that there was more.

With no more morning sickness, her hunger was skyrocketing. She was half-way through now, and I was determined to fatten her up before she went on a hunger strike near her due date. The closer she got last time, the less she ate.

"Look at you being a dad." She grinned, kissing my cheek.

I chuckled, eating beside her as we watched the twins finish their meal. It was a content moment, a serene atmosphere before we would have to leave our home and go to 'work'. Once our bowls were empty, I loaded the dishwasher and secured the dirty twin in my grasp.

"I'm going to bathe him... And wash my hair."

Nova grinned, rising from the bar stool. "Okay, enjoy the extra mess."

Another thing Freddy learned lately; how to splash.

I grumbled, carrying the sticky, squirming toddler toward the bath. True to his reputation, Freddy made a show of dampening the floor as I washed my hair over the side of the bath. As soon as I was done and he was clean, I was pulling him from the bath before he could do more damage.

"You're such a troublemaker." I told him.

He gurgled as I dressed him, enjoying the moisturiser I rubbed into his limbs. He had a slight tinge of eczema lately, but this oat cream was doing it wonders. Dressed in some comfortable clothes, I changed my shirt before taking the dirty clothes and now-clean child back to the living room. Nova took him from my grasp immediately, telling him how handsome he looked.

"What about me?" I pouted.

"You're alright." She grinned.

I growled a warning. "You just wait."

The bond flared with excitement at my warning, and I entered the utility room with a prideful stance. It seemed no matter what I did lately, Nova was a willing, hormonally charged woman. I was selfish and took everything she gave me, and enjoyed every moment of our shared intimacy.

Pressing the start on the washing machine, I stared at myself in the mirror.

For a moment, I wondered who I was. Dark unruly hair damp from a shower, a barely contained beard and a t-shirt with sweatpants.

Who was I?

An alpha with a reputation. A royal-blooded wolf with power.

But a dad. A mate. A family man.

None of it mattered anymore. I slowly accepted this easier life and was only grateful I never took the king's position.

If only our time could be like this every day.

But work always caught up with us, and with work came everything we didn't want.