Calvin’s POV
I gritted my teeth, weighing my options.
I had no idea how long it would take for Rmonica to fall asleep-or if she was even a heavy sleeper to begin with. Every second I wasted was a risk, a gamble I couldn’t afford to take.
I had to act. Now.
Overpowering her would be easy, especially in her current state, but that didn’t mean I could just pin her down and walk out of here. She was the Alpha’s mate, the Luna of this Pack. One mind link, one call for help, and I’d be dead before I even reached the front gates.
I was already screwed. No matter what I did, the odds weren’t in my favor.
Just as I clenched my fists, readying myself to take the risk, Rmonica suddenly sat up in bed.
I froze, holding my breath.
She pressed a hand to her mouth, her expression twisting in discomfort. Then, with a sharp inhale, she shot up from the bed and rushed out of the room.
Gone.
She left.
A wave of relief crashed over me.
She was probably going to throw up.
That meant I had minutes-maybe seconds.
Without wasting another moment, I crawled out from under the bed, my movements quick but controlled. Every muscle in my body was tense as I rose to my feet, my eyes locked onto the cradle where my babies lay.
My heart ached at the sight of them.
They were still sleeping so peacefully, oblivious to the chaos unravelling around them. They were so innocent, the very personification of the moon goddess’ miracle.
I wanted to admire them, watch them sleep but there was no time. I had to move now if there would ever be a chance for our family to be complete.
I reached forward, hands trembling as I carefully scooped up Arabella first. She stirred slightly, her tiny face scrunching up, but she didn’t wake up. Instead, she nestled into my shoulder, her warmth sinking into my skin.
My chest tightened.
I reached for Astor next, holding him just as gently. He was lighter than I imagined, so small, so fragile, and yet when I pulled him close, he gripped onto my blanket as if sensing my presence.
I exhaled shakily.
This was my first time holding them, my children.
This was real.
I had them.
But it wasn’t over yet.
I had to get out of here before Rmonica returned and realized the children were gone.
Keeping my movements smooth and silent, I turned and slipped out of the room, my heart slamming against my ribs as I entered the hallway.
The palace was eerily quiet.
I moved quickly, my bare feet soundless against the floor as I sprinted through the dimly lit corridor. Every step felt like an eternity, every shadow a possible threat.
‘Selene, please,’ I prayed. ‘Just let me make it out.’
The secret entrance was close.
I could see it.
Just a few more steps-
I reached it.
Adjusting my hold on the twins, I lifted my foot and pressed it against the hidden panel.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then-
A faint click.
The wall shifted.
The entrance creaked open.
Relief surged through me as I slipped inside, the door sliding shut behind me, sealing me in darkness. Arriving outside, the soft glow of the moon was a welcome change.
I exhaled, my heart pounding.
But the relief was short-lived.
Because now I had a new problem.
How the hell was I going to get out of the palace grounds undetected?
I had managed to sneak in alone, but escaping with two infants in my arms? That was an entirely different battle. Scaling the wall was no longer an option-I couldn’t risk hurting them.
I clenched my jaw.
Damn it.
As if sensing my dilemma, a voice suddenly rang through my head.
“Alpha?” Franklin’s mind link came in. “Did you get them?”
I tightened my grip on the twins. “Yes, but there’s a problem. The palace is still heavily guarded. I can’t get out with them without being seen.”
There was a brief silence before Franklin responded.
“Don’t worry about that,” he assured. “Just get to the front gates. And when I say run-you run.”
I frowned. “Franklin, what are you-”
“Trust me.”
Then the link cut-off.
I hesitated for only a second before making my way toward the palace entrance.
Franklin had never let me down before.
I had no choice but to trust him now.
Still keeping to the shadows, I carefully maneuvered my way toward the front of the palace. My pulse pounded in my ears as I ducked behind a massive pillar, waiting.
And then-
Chaos.
A sudden shout pierced the silence, followed by a loud crash.
The guards stationed at the gates immediately snapped to attention, their heads whipping toward the commotion.
Then, as if on command, they took off running.
“Now!” Franklin’s voice boomed in my head.
I didn’t need to be told twice.
I bolted.
Astor stirred against me, but he didn’t cry. Instead, his tiny fingers tightened around the blanket wrapped around my shoulders, his small body pressing into my chest.
As if telling me to keep going.
As if telling me I would make it.
My son believed in me.
And that was all I needed.
The chaos Franklin had created was still in full effect, shouts echoing across the palace grounds, all the guards scrambling somewhere. I didn’t stop to wonder what could be happening. It was the perfect opportunity.
I took a deep breath and carefully pushed open the heavy front gate, just enough for me to slip through. It creaked slightly, and my heart slammed against my ribs. I held my breath, waiting.
No one noticed.
I exhaled in relief and quickly stepped through, the cool night air hitting me like a wave.
Lysaa was still at her post, standing just a few feet away, cane in hand, talking to the guards like she had all the time in the world.
Shockingly, they were laughing.
Laughing.
I had no idea what ridiculous story she was telling them, but whatever it was, it had them distracted long enough for me to sneak past unnoticed.
I moved swiftly but silently, clutching the twins protectively against me as I made my way toward where the car was parked.
Franklin was already waiting, engine idling, his eyes sharp and alert as they locked onto me.
The second I slipped into the backseat, I let out a shaky breath.
It wasn’t over yet.
Not until we were out of this damn territory.
“Lysaa, it’s time.” I sent the mind link immediately. “Come now.”
She didn’t respond, but I knew she heard me.
A few minutes later, she emerged from the darkness, following the mental directions I fed her. Franklin wasted no time-he threw the door open, grabbed her arm, and helped her into the passenger seat.
“Don’t get all handsy with me,” Lysaa snapped, yanking away the moment she was seated.
Franklin smirked but ignored her, kicking the car into reverse and flooring it.
As the vehicle sped down the road, I turned to him, my grip still firm around the twins. “What the hell did you do?”
Franklin grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “I took a page out of Lysaa’s book.”
I frowned. “Meaning?”
“I started a fire.”
My brows shot up.
“I climbed over the wall, snuck into the palace grounds, and set a bush on fire,” Franklin explained. “Figured it’d buy you enough time to get out.”
Lysaa scoffed. “You do one act of deception and suddenly think you’re a mastermind?”
Franklin shrugged. “Worked, didn’t it? Don’t forget you did the same to the Luna Dowager to help Kamrynn escape, I learned from the best.”
Lysaa lifted her cane and smacked his arm.
“Ow!” Franklin clutched his bicep, glaring at her. “You’re way too strong for a blind woman!”
Lysaa smirked. “That’s what you get for running your mouth.”
I sighed, shaking my head at their antics-until a sudden realization hit me like a freight train.
My clothes.
Shit.
I had stripped before shifting into my wolf form. My scent was all over them. If they were found, Orion and Rmonica would instantly know I was the one who took the twins.
Which meant they’d bring war to the Obsidian Pack.
I groaned, pressing a hand to my forehead. “Damn it.”
Franklin raised a brow at me through the rearview mirror. “What?”
“My clothes, I left them back in the palace grounds.” I muttered. “If they find them, we’re done for.”
Franklin snorted.
“Relax. I already got rid of the evidence.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean?”
Franklin’s smirk widened. “I used them to start the fire.”
There was a beat of silence.
Then-
Lysaa burst into laughter.
A genuine, full-bodied laugh.
It was the first time I’d ever heard her laugh like that.
I turned to her in disbelief, and she immediately clamped a hand over her mouth, muffling the sound.
“Shhh,” I hissed. “Arabella is still sleeping.”
She swallowed back another laugh and nodded, but her shoulders continued to shake.
Franklin, of course, couldn’t resist poking fun. “Didn’t know you had a sense of humor, Lysaa.”
“Didn’t know you had a brain,” she shot back smoothly.
Franklin gasped, feigning offense. “You wound me.”
Lysaa smacked him with her cane again.
I ignored them.
My attention was solely on the little bundles in my arms.
Astor was awake now, blinking sleepily up at me.
His tiny lips parted as he cooed softly, his fingers curling against my blanket-covered chest.
My heart clenched.
Slowly, I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his small hand.
“My son,” I whispered.
Astor gurgled in response, a sleepy smile tugging at his lips.
I swore my heart stopped.
He was so beautiful.
I reached out, running a single finger over his soft, chubby cheek.
Almost instantly, his tiny fingers wrapped around it.
Something in me shattered.
I hadn’t realized I was crying until a warm tear slipped down my cheek, landing onto the blanket wrapped around him.
I had always wanted to be a father.
Always yearned to hold my child in my arms.
And now that it was finally happening…
I could hardly believe it.
Shifting slightly, I pressed a kiss to Arabella’s forehead as well.
She stirred, nuzzling into me, her warmth seeping into my skin.
A lump formed in my throat.
“I promise,” I murmured, my voice thick with emotion. “No matter what it takes, I will be the best father I can be to you both.”
I tightened my hold on them, pressing my forehead against theirs.
“And I swear,” I whispered, “I will never let anyone take you away from me again.”