"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" she yelled, her voice a raw shriek of primal fear and horror, pushing herself back against the headboard as far as she could, her body trembling uncontrollably. Her hands instinctively flew up, as if to ward off the massive, predatory creatures before her. Her heart pounded, a frantic drum against her ribs, mirroring the monitors she'd been hooked to just hours ago. This was too much. Far, far too much.
The wolves froze. Jayden, the black wolf, let out a soft, mournful whine deep in his chest, a sound that seemed to vibrate with profound hurt and regret. Jamie, the brown wolf, took a cautious step back, his large head dipping in a gesture of submission, his golden eyes fixed on her, pleading.
Through the mate bond, a torrent of reassurance, tinged with deep sorrow, flooded Katy's mind. It wasn't words, but a wave of pure intent: We would never hurt you. Never. You are ours, our mate. We protect you. We swear it.
Jayden's black muzzle lowered, resting on his massive paws on the floor, his eyes never leaving her face. Jamie lay down completely, sprawling on his side to appear less threatening, his tail thumping softly on the carpet, a canine sign of distress and appeasement. Their large forms, usually radiating power, now seemed to shrink in an effort to appear less intimidating.
Jayden then shifted, slowly, deliberately. His wolf form shimmered, muscles contracting and receding, fur disappearing. Bones audibly clicked back into place until, in moments, he was human again, naked and vulnerable, though he barely registered it. He dropped to his knees a few feet from the bed, his golden eyes brimming with pain.
"Katy," he rasped, his voice raw with emotion. "Please. We understand your fear. We would never hurt you. Not a hair on your head. You are our mate. Our priority. Everything. We swear on our lives, on our instincts, on the bond that ties us." His gaze flickered to her abdomen. "And we would die protecting our baby."
Jamie, still in his wolf form, whined again, a mournful sound of agreement, his gaze pleading.
Slowly, hesitantly, Katy reached out her arm towards Jamie. It was an almost unconscious gesture, driven by a flicker of the inexplicable connection she felt, even now.
Jamie, seeing her outstretched hand, responded instantly. With a grace that belied his size, he rose and gently, carefully, approached the bed. He lowered his massive head, his soft fur brushing against her fingers, and then, with utmost tenderness, licked her hand. The rough warmth of his tongue was startling, a tangible connection to the wild creature before her.
A strange calm began to settle over Katy, a fragile truce against her fear. The warmth of his lick, the undeniable softness of his fur, the steady devotion in his eyes—it was real. He wasn't a monster. He was... Jamie.
And then, hesitantly at first, Katy started to pet him. Her fingers sank into the thick, rich fur around his neck, tracing the powerful line of his jaw. The texture was surprisingly soft, almost comforting. Jamie leaned into her touch, a low, contented rumble vibrating in his chest, a sound that spoke of relief and profound affection. Jayden, watching from his kneeling position, let out a slow, shuddering breath, the tension easing from his shoulders. A tiny, fragile bridge had just been built between them.
Jamie's body then began to shimmer. Muscles rippled and contracted, his powerful form seemed to melt and condense. Fur receded, bones audibly clicked, and his muzzle shortened, softening back into a human face. In moments, the massive brown wolf was gone, replaced by the naked, human form of Jamie. He dropped to his knees beside Jayden, his golden eyes still fixed on Katy, filled with the same earnest plea.
Katy's hand, still tingling from the feel of Jamie's fur, slowly dropped to the bed. Her eyes, wide with the lingering shock of what she'd witnessed, now held a new, fragile understanding. The raw, primal fear was receding, replaced by a profound awe and a strange, almost dizzying sense of calm. Seeing them transform, seeing their raw power, yet feeling their gentle tenderness and remorse, had shifted something deep within her. It was unbelievable, terrifying, yet undeniably real. And in this moment, surrounded by their presence, she felt an unexplainable, almost instinctual sense of safety.
She looked from Jamie, now human and kneeling beside the bed, to Jayden, still on his knees, both men naked but seemingly unconcerned with their exposed forms. Their golden eyes, intense and pleading, were fixed solely on her.
"Can... can I stay the night?" Katy asked, her voice soft, almost hesitant, the words feeling foreign even to her own ears. Her gaze flickered between them. "In between you?" The request was born not just of physical exhaustion, but a desperate, unspoken need for the comfort and protection that, impossibly, only they seemed able to offer now.
A collective sigh of relief seemed to ripple through the two men. Jayden's tense shoulders relaxed, and a genuine, if weary, smile touched his lips. Jamie's face softened with profound gratitude.
"Yes," Jayden breathed, his voice thick with emotion. "Of course, Katy. You can stay as long as you need. Anywhere you want."
"It would be an honor," Jamie added, his voice equally sincere. "We'd be glad for your company."
Katy nodded, a tiny, tired smile forming on her own lips. The tension that had held her captive for days finally began to drain away, leaving her utterly exhausted. She reached for her phone on the nightstand. She knew her dad would be worried, but she also knew she couldn't tell him the truth.
To: Dad
Hey, I'm staying over at a friend's house tonight. My friend needs some company. I'll be fine. Talk tomorrow.
She sent the text, knowing full well it would spark his parental alarm. A few moments later, her phone buzzed with his reply.
From: Dad
Katy! You just got home from the hospital! Who's house? Are you okay? Call me!
Katy sighed, but didn't reply. He wasn't happy, that much was clear. But she was 19 and technically an adult, and he loved her enough to know when to back off, even if he didn't like it. For now, this was all she could manage.
She set her phone down, then carefully shifted, making room for them. Jayden and Jamie quickly got dressed, their movements fluid and practiced, before gently climbing onto the bed, one on each side of her. The warmth of their bodies, solid and reassuring, enveloped her. In the unfamiliar, yet strangely comforting silence, Katy closed her eyes, allowing herself to finally succumb to sleep, nestled between the two men who had shattered her world, and now, somehow, seemed to be holding it together.
Katy woke up with a groan, blinking against the soft light filtering through the heavy curtains. Her side still throbbed, a constant, dull reminder of the surgery, but it was the profound disorientation that truly annoyed her. She felt like she'd been asleep for days. How much could one person possibly sleep? She pushed herself up, a sharp "Owe" escaping her lips as a fresh wave of pain shot through her.
Her gaze swept around the room. The bed was empty beside her. The twins were gone. A flicker of something she couldn't quite name – disappointment? – mingled with her irritation. She'd asked them to stay, and they'd agreed.
If she remembered correctly from that whirlwind night, the kitchen seemed to be the main hang-out spot in this sprawling, oddly comforting house. Slowly, cautiously, she got off the bed, placing one foot gingerly in front of the other. Each step was a measured effort, a quiet wince accompanying the strain on her healing abdomen.
By the time she made it to the entrance of the kitchen, leaning against the doorframe for support, a blur of motion erupted from within. Jayden and Jamie, as if sensing her presence, rushed to her aid. Their faces were instantly etched with concern, golden eyes wide with a mix of relief and worry.
"Katy! "What are you doing up?" Jayden asked, his voice soft, as he was quickly by her side.
"Katy, we are so sorry we weren't there when you woke," Jamie said, stepping up to her other side, his hand hovering, ready to assist. "We wanted to make you some pancakes." He gestured towards a stack of golden brown pancakes on a plate on the counter. Before she could protest, they gently, but firmly, helped her to a seat at the counter, ensuring she was comfortable and supported.
The aroma of the pancakes, sweet and warm, usually comforting, hit Katy's nose. Immediately, her stomach churned. A wave of nausea swept over her, sharp and sudden, and she swallowed hard, a grimace twisting her features. The smell was overpowering, sickening.
Jayden and Jamie exchanged a knowing look, their golden eyes instantly picking up on her discomfort. Jamie reached for a glass of water nearby and pushed it towards her.
"Morning sickness is rough," Katy commented, He quickly scooped the plate of pancakes away from her immediate vicinity, placing it further down the counter. "Anything else we can get you? "Maybe just some toast, or crackers?" he offered, his concern paramount.
"A couple of crackers will be fine," she said, her voice still weak but accepting. Jayden was already reaching into a cupboard and, moments later, he handed her a small stack. She
took them, nibbling slowly on one, the blandness a welcome relief to her protesting stomach.
She sat there, taking small bites of the cracker, the silence stretching between them. The earlier surge of fear from their wolf forms had subsided, replaced by the mundane reality of her physical discomfort. She looked at the two men standing before her, their human faces earnest and worried. The unbelievable was real, but now what?
Katy swallowed the last of her cracker and looked from Jamie to Jayden, her gaze direct. "Now what?" she asked, the question hanging in the air, loaded with all the fear, confusion, and reluctant hope that had consumed her.