The Alpha - Arianna Green (FULL 50 Chapter)

 

I was heaving, I felt my head spin. It was silent, I was worried. I glanced at Eva who was cleaning Layton and Lana. 

...They were silent... 

There was no crying...I know they were early but... Surely they were okay... I mean, they mention how the shots of wolfsbane I received could've affected them but... They had to be okay... I lost too much for it not to be... 

Benlyam held my limp hand. He held me during the entirety of labor, although sometimes I would rip my hand out of his just to hit his arm when the contractions were too sharp. He didn't mind. 

I kept my eyes on our babies. They were small, they were early. I never experienced children, I didn't know what was to be expected. Sure, I read the pregnancy books with Benlyam, but I felt like that couldn't compare to the actual moment. 

Reseda seemed confused as well. That confused me. During my whole time here, Reseda always knew what she was doing and although she was fazed at some points, she knew what to do. 

But she had a crease in her eyebrow as she picked up Layton to help Eva. 

"What's wrong?" I heard her whisper to Eva as they cleaned him. My heart stopped for a moment and I squeezed Benlyam's hand. 

He heard it too, a growl instinctively left his lips. He rubbed my hand comfortably but I felt anger in him. 

('Everything's okay, it's okay') 

"Nothing's wrong with our pups!" he barked at them, I saw the babies hands move. 

...That's a good sign... 

"Yes, Alpha," Eva said as she turned our way, "they seem to be fine, everything's okay." Eva neared me and put her hands near mine, giving me Lana and Reseda 

carefully placed Layton in my other arm. "Here you go, mama," Eva spoke lightly, pulling away. 

I knocked with a tsunami of pure love. 

...Oh my... 

Benlyam let go of my hand so I could cradle them. I couldn't help the coo that left my lips. They blinked up at me with their precious eyes and I felt my eyesight blur with tears of total joy. 

"Awe, sweets..." I choked out and instinctively hugged them into me. I glanced over at Benlyam and he had the biggest smile on his face as his eyes mirrored mine. He glanced up at me and chuckled, it was soft and full of joy. 

Eva reached down to fix something on Lana's blanket and she instantly cried out. My mind froze, it completely blanked. Once Lana cried out, Layton did as well. I despised that sound, I wanted to make it stop. Not because I was annoyed but because it physically hurt me. 

I saw Benlyam wince and then glare at Eva. He started to growl at the fact that she made our babies cry, even though moments ago we were wondering why they 

weren't. 

Eva swallowed and took a step back, "Sorry, Alpha, Luna," she nodded and went back to help Reseda and the midwife. 

They calmed down as I shushed them, Benlyam carefully reached out to stroke Layton's head, he was closer to him. They instantly stilled and relaxed into my chest, slightly fussy but calmer. 

Nursing was a nice solution and they soon fell drowsy but, sadly, they couldn't sleep on me. The midwife moved them into a cot comfortably and set it near the bed. I let out a breath as Benlyam and I was finally left alone. 

I felt exhausted and Benlyam picked up on it immediately. He brushed some hair behind my ears and he picked up my hand, kissing it. 

"I'm so proud of you, Flower. I love you so much," he wiped one of my tears away. 

"I love you, Benlyam," I cupped his hand against my face, "they're so precious, I love them so much," I smiled and he chuckled, agreeing. 

"Are you feeling okay?" he asked gently. 

"Just tired," I nodded. He gave a light smile. 

He kissed my hand again, "get some rest, Flower, I'll be here." 

"Where are you going to sleep?" I furrowed my brows, "I can scoot over, Bee," I patted the bed. He had to be tired, we were up all night. 

He laughed and shook his head, "I'm good, honey. I've learned how to sleep in hospital chairs, you're fine, just get some rest." 

I scooted over anyway, despite his sigh and attempt to still me. I patted the bed and he blinked at me, he wasn't having it. 

"Please? I want to sleep with you," I did my best eyes I could and he sighed as he tilted his head, his eyes darkening. 

"Violet, just go to sleep. I'm not going to disturb you." 

"Bee, please," I whined and I even pouted my lips- he better get over here. He sighed out again as he took in my face and bit his lip. I just gave birth, he better get over here. 

...Please?... 

"Fuck, Flower," he groaned as he stood up and I beamed at him, moving over more, "so stubborn... You can stop moving, I'm not fat unless you're trying to tell me something?" He playfully raised an eyebrow and he laid down. 

"Not at all!" I smiled at him as I lifted my head so he could slide his arm under me. He lightly and carefully pulled me closer into him and kissed the top of my head. 

He hummed, "Goodnight, Flower. Love you," he gave another kiss as I peered up at him. 

"Wanna know something?" he smiled and raised an eyebrow, "I was right, Layton was first." 

He chuckled lightly, "Yes, you were," he kissed me and we fell asleep. 

It's been two weeks since we've had twins. The first week was rough, my breasts were always sore and I was exhausted, Benlyam was getting tired as well even though it wasn't as bad as me. 

Trying to get them on the same sleeping schedule was hard because the moment Lana would pass out, Layton would cry and wake her up. Or when Layton went to sleep, Lana would be hungry. 

My uterus was sore for a few days, cramping, but I was feeling better. The placenta pills seemed to be keeping me in check. Some humans don't eat the placenta but 

it's instinctive for wolves, so I didn't mind. 

Benlyam was very amused by my behavior because he said I had 'baby blues' and I had no clue what he was talking about. He apparently read about it and deemed it because I was 'sad' last week. 

They slept in our room and I loved it, I loved everything about it. Except for crying, I couldn't stand it, and again, it wasn't because it was annoying. It was because it hurt, physically, mentally, emotionally. 

I hated the sound, knowing something was wrong. It wasn't too hard to calm them down and I was beyond grateful for that, although Layton took longer. 

My hair has gotten fuller and healthier. I did cut it shortly after I gave birth because it was dead and reminded me of him. It wasn't too short, just above my bra strap. 

They were getting fussy. Especially when Benlyam would get frustrated when he was on the phone with his Alphas, Lana hated it more, she always cried when he raised his voice. I'd kick him out of their room and he'd come back apologizing. 

Right now, we were getting ready for bed, the Twins fell asleep a few moments ago. I took off my socks and walked out to the bed, Benlyam was already in. He lovingly smiled at me and I crawled right next to him, Benlyam instantly pulled me into him. 

I kissed him and we settled down. He ran his hand through my hair a few times as he thought. 

"I don't like Lana likes me." 

I had to pause to process if I heard him right. He was never one to worry about what people thought of him, I would know. I furrowed my brows as I looked up at him, he looked extremely thoughtful. He was being serious... 

"Lyam?" I questioned and he nodded before he looked down at me, he looked hurt- it broke my heart. 

I pulled up and straddled his hips so I could easily talk to him. He looked at our position and gave a small smile and I rolled my eyes as I laid on him, making sure to 

keep a conversational position. 

"Why would you say that?" I asked, hurt myself, as I cupped his cheek. 

He had one hand on my back and the other was covering mine. 

"I get too pissy around them and I raise my voice too much," he frowned and I copied his look. "Lana cries about it too." 

I shook my head, "it's just the noise, it's fine!" I quickly reassured as I gave a quick kiss on his cheek. "She won't even recognize your voice until a few weeks!" 

He gave a forced, sad smile. "Yeah, and she'll remember the voice that always yelled. Layton probably will too," he sighed out, "Fuck, they're gonna hate me." 

"No, they won't, Lyam. How can you even say that? They'll love you, they already do!" I tilted my head, not understanding why he was so concerned, he had nothing to worry about! 

('Comfort him!') 

"No, honey, they love you. Obviously, I mean who wouldn't, and they were inside of you for five months, I don't have that bond with them," he slipped his hand on my back under my shirt and started to make circles on my skin. "They're always with you, and they always see you. I'm not saying it's a bad thing at all. But the time they have with me, they just end up crying." 

I went to go say something but he cut me off as he played with a strand of my hair. 

"I mean, if you think about it, you feed them, so they always look at you. You love to dress them, so they have that, you bathe them, you're always there to soothe 

them-" 

"And you're with them as well!" I cut in. "You help with all that stuff, expect the feeding, that's kinda..." I raised my eyebrows and he chuckled at me. "You change them, and hold them all the time! Plus, Bee, they're only two weeks old." I reminded him as I kissed his nose. 

He smiled at me and ran his fingers up my back, "Yeah, you're right. Speaking of, when do you think we should introduce them to the pack? I was thinking in six weeks, they'd be about two months?" 

I scrunched my face, "Eh, maybe four?" I suggested and he nodded. 

"Fine by me. Garret was surprised you let him hold them," he added as I tried to slide off his body but he tugged me back. 

I laughed against his chest, "Hannah told me, said he wouldn't stop talking about it. Also told me about the issue between the Rocky Mountain area and-" 

"God," he sighed, "she tells you everything. Yeah, Garret took care of it yesterday. Wyoming gets on my fucking nerve," I nodded, "speaking of, now Hannah wants kids." 

"I know, but she said they were waiting." 

Benlyam hummed, "Yeah, originally they were going to wait till they were together for three years." 

"Originally?" I asked, "how long have they been mated?" 

"Two and a half," he told me and I nodded. I tried to move off his chest again and he flipped us over. I let out a laugh as he started to kiss my neck. "God, you're so addictive, Flower," he whispered against my neck as his fingers went up to my waist. 

He pulled his face up to mine and gave me a quick peck on the lips and I tried to flip us back over. 

"Bee, stop," I groaned, but I didn't want him to. 

"You're a bad liar, Flower," he nipped at my lips and I couldn't help the laugh. He chuckled as he moved over to my ear, kissing his way there. 

Before he could do anything else, I felt my senses panic slightly and then fussing from the twin's cot. I heard Benlyam sarcastically sigh as he pulled up off my body and helped me up. 

"Calm them down with me," I dragged him and he followed, "you can hold Lana." 

I picked up Layton who was starting to cry out, his swaddle coming loose. He picked up our baby girl and gazed at her with a loving stare. 

"She has your eyes," he whispered as she fussed in his arms, "honey drop..." 

"And Layton has yours," he smiled at me and kissed my forehead as we calmed our pups down. 

Months had passed and soon it was time to introduce Lana and Layton to the pack. I was nervous, more so protective. It wasn't like I thought someone would hurt them, far from it, I've talked to a lot of the pack members during the pregnancy to help my social skills. 

I was just protective and I didn't even want the possibility of something happening, but my mind couldn't stop. 

"Flower?" I heard Benlyam call as he opened the bedroom door. 

"Yeah?" I responded as I grabbed a grey onesie for Layton. 

He stood beside me and then crouched as I was sitting on the ground, the twins laying on the fluffy baby blue rug. He rubbed Lana's bare belly and she recognized her daddy's face and waved her fists. 

"Hey Lana, how's my girl?" he cooed at her as he completely sat down. I smiled at him and he gave me a quick kiss on my lips before looking back down at Lana. 

He played with her fists and I buttoned up Layton's top part. 

"I can dress Lana," he held out his hand and I dropped the light green outfit in his hand. He held her fist and waved it with her motions, "chubby little arms." 

I looked over at him with wide eyes and my mouth open, "Lyam!" I gasped. 

...Chubby?... 

"What?" he asked innocently as he kissed her hands. 

"She's not chubby! That's so mean! You're gonna make her depressed!" 

He looked over at me, "Honey, she's two months old, she's not going to remember it, and they're both chubby," he reached over to rub Layton's belly but I smacked his hand away as I glared at him. 

He playfully rolled his eyes, "it's just baby fat, Flower," I frowned at him. He was right, but still... "It's cold out, can I have a pair of socks?" I nodded and handed him a pair as I focused back on Layton. It was January and it was even slightly cold in the house, it wasn't too bad at all, wolves were fine in the weather, I was just concerned 

about the twins. 

His fist was in his mouth as his eyes floated around the room. I lightly removed his hand and slipped on a jacket and then some socks, a small giggle leaving his lips. I loved that sound. I tossed Benlyam a hat for Lana and he snuggled it on her. 

"Cutie," he kissed her fist again and she rolled over on her stomach. I smiled at them. 

Soon we were both ready to go and we brought an extra blanket in case they got too cold. We walked to the stage where the majority of the people were. Hannah immediately saw me and waved and I pulled my hand out of Benlyam's to wave at her. 

We walked up and Benlyam did his opening, everyone was dressed nicely and the cold didn't bother us. It bothered the twins though. 

"Now, I introduced to you, for the first time, the future Alpha and Luna of the Night Stone pack of the Midwest Region, Layton Thomas Derek, and Lana Magnolia Derek," Benlyam raised Lana and I followed with Layton and the awed and clapped. 

We stepped down after a few moments for people to greet us, they often played with them. Garret greeted me and I offered him Layton and he, of course, accepted. He was handed back to me and then Reseda held him as we talked, soon giving him back. 

Layton was starting to get fussy so I had to step aside for a moment. 

"Vi!" Hannah walked up. 

"Hey!" I smiled at her. 

"Awe, he's so adorable!" she cooed at him and he waved his fist. "Is he okay?" She asked in regards to me stepping aside from the pack. 

"Yeah, he's just fussy," I adjusted him in my arms and he cried out. I frowned, wincing at the sound as I glanced back at Hannah. 

"Are you and Garret excited to get started?" I asked her as Layton kicked my arm gently, his legs weren't strong enough to hurt. I tried to switch him again, he wasn't having it, he was cranky. 

"Yeah, he says I talk about it too much, but he tells me every night that he can't wait," she shrugged and glanced down at Layton. "Maybe he wants Derek?" she suggested and I nodded. 

"I'll go give him, he hasn't held him a lot today anyways," I started walking over to Benlyam as Hannah and I discussed random things. 

Benlyam looked my way and smiled at me and nodded towards Hannah. He was talking to Socorro, my therapist. Lana was observing everything with curious eyes, she wasn't fussy. 

...And he said she didn't like him... 

Benlyam looked at me again with an eyebrow slightly raised and then glanced down at Layton who kept kicking my arm. 

"Excuse me," he quickly said to Socorro and reached out to grab Layton. 

"Thank you," I whispered, "I can take Lana," I grabbed her and she snuggled right into me. 

Layton calmed down in his father's arms, I smiled. Hannah lightly greeted Lana, and Lana just stared back with her big brown eyes. 

"Violeta," Socorro nodded and I smiled as Benlyam and Hannah started to talk. "How are you doing?" 

"I'm well, very happy. How are you?" 

He smiled at my response, "I'm doing good, nice to hear you're doing well. Your kids are beautiful!" he complimented. 

"Thank you!" I beamed as I looked down at Lana, her gloved hand was scratching at her cheek and I lightly grabbed it so she wouldn't hurt herself. 

A tall, fit, Latina woman walked up to us. 

"Luna," she nodded and I smiled back at her. She hooked her arm around Socorro. 

"Violeta, have you ever met my wife?" he asked, to which I shook my head. 

"Isabella," she smiled and I copied her expression. 

"Nice to meet you," I greeted and I felt Lana kick my arm. 

...What is with them?... 

I gave a concerned glance at her jerky motions as I tried to soothe her. 

"She might be overstimulated?" Isabella suggested, "our youngest experienced that a lot when he had visits. Too many people," I nodded and excused myself, finding Benlyam. 

He was talking to a group of men that I amused were warriors, even though he mentioned this region didn't have warrior packs, all Regional Alphas had an army. Layton was waving his arms and Benlyam kept grabbing his hand so he wouldn't hit himself. He was jerky. I walked up to their group and gave a light smile to the men and they bowed their heads. 

"Luna," Benlyam glanced down at me and saw that Lana was upset as well. 

"I think..." I trailed but Benlyam automatically knew and announced we were leaving. 

We were trying to walk home quickly but soon Lana cried out from utter annoyance and Layton followed. 

"No, shh, sweets, it's okay," I cooed as I tried to wipe away her tears. It was too cold for her to be crying. She jerked her head away from me and I felt my heart get stabbed. 

...Please don't cry.... 

I frowned and looked over at Layton who kept kicking Benlyam's arm. We ascended the porch and Benlyam opened the door for us, letting me go in first. 

"Overstimulated," Benlyam confirmed as he followed me up the stairs while trying to quiet Layton. 

I nodded, doubting he was paying attention. We carefully went into their room and turned on one of the lamps and drew the blinds. Undressing them was easy, they were calming down. Lana stopped crying, Layton didn't, I expected that. 

"Swaddle him," I motioned and Benlyam nodded, holding Layton's fists to his chest in the meantime. 

"Blanket?" he asked and I reached over to grab one while Lana calmed. 

"Here," I whispered and he swaddled Layton, and then picked him back up, going over to a rocking chair. I followed with Lana and the room fell into a comfortable 

silence. 

"Warriors liked Layton, said he looks like me," Benlyam added and I smiled. "Which reminds me, my brothers are coming over next week. They're excited to meet their niece and nephew." 

"Is there also a meeting? Or are they just dropping by?" I asked lightly. 

"They'll be staying for two days, to meet them, then they're heading back, it's just family," I nodded, "Zachary found his mate last week." 

"That's nice, is she coming?" he denied and I was somewhat thankful, maybe it was rude of me, but I didn't care. 

"Speaking of their family," he shifted Layton in his arms, "obviously, Garret and Hannah are basically second parents." 

I nodded as I glanced down at Lana who was now asleep in my arms. Of course, who else? 

"And they have two uncles, and you mentioned you don't have siblings, right?" I shrugged, I didn't know. It honestly felt like so long ago, I do believe when my parents left, I was their only kid. But they could've had more, I'm not sure. 

"And grandparents?" 

I blinked at him and tilted my head. 

"Didn't you say yours passed?" I said, cautiously, trying not to hit a spot. 

He nodded, "I'm talking about yours, Flower." Again, I blinked. 

"I-I don't know," I couldn't look at him, I glanced down at my sock-covered feet. I know our relationship was getting better, we made a lot of progress, but anything regarding parts of my past, I wasn't comfortable talking about. 

Like when he wanted to discuss what he planned with his pack, I'd just shake my head. I felt like talking about it made me seem weaker, it brought back up memories. Benlyam offered to take me to Socorro, and I liked the idea, just not right away. 

"Well, if it was possible, do you think you'd want to meet your parents?" I glanced up at him, confused. What was he trying to say? 

"I mean, yeah..." I raised an eyebrow as he took in my words, "I have questions, obviously, but it's just a what-if," I shrugged at him. 

"Well, Flower. Your parents are alive, I found them, it wasn't too hard," I felt some color drain from my face. "They live in South Ohio. Do you want me to contact them?" 

Everyone needs closure in life. I never thought I would get the option, I just kinda got used to not knowing. I stuck with 'they left' because I truly couldn't remember a lot before him, even when I was enduring him I couldn't remember everything. 

But, I nodded. "Okay."