Chapter 69

Robert pressed forward, his boots sinking into the muddy ground as he followed the tracker. The distant sound of crying babies echoed through the heavy rainfall, urging them onward. The silver threads of rain caught the light with every flash of lightning, briefly illuminating the world in stark brilliance.

Suddenly, the trees thinned out and an old house appeared in a clearing, its silhouette outlined by the flickering storm. Robert hurried toward the house, hope and dread mingling in his chest. He reached the front door, gripping the handle with trembling hands. He twisted and pulled, but the door wouldn’t budge—it felt as though something unimaginable held it shut from within.

One of the trackers, unable to wait any longer, crept to a grimy window and peered inside. His eyes widened in shock. Through the rain-blurred glass, he could see that the house was flooded—water covered from the floor to the ceiling, rippling with each raindrop that found a way in. And there, bobbing on the surface, was a lifeless bodies. Robert start to look around the house from outside and couldn’t see Kathy anyways until Seth tracker notice something in the bushes and see a tail sticking out as he got closer to see that Kathy was hiding under the blanket with two babies in her arms.

“I found them, they are over here,”

Quickly, Robert ran toward the spot where Kathy crouched, shivering and soaked through, desperately clutching the two babies to her chest. Without hesitation, he reached out through the mind-link to King Frances, sending a surge of relief and urgency: "We found them—they're alive."

“Thanks moon goddess, I will give have the doctor ready,”

“Yes, my lord,”

Robert ended the mind-link as a car pulled up, and someone opened the backseat door. Robert took the babies from her arms, and the guard lifted her, placing her in the car and covering her with a warm blanket before returning her babies to her. To warm them up, the driver switched on the heat, and they could feel the warmth spread through the car. As soon as the tracker opened the door, a crimson tide of water and blood spilled out onto the ground. Robert gently closed the car door, a soft thud the only sound. Hoping Noah was inside, Robert and the others started their search, the place was soaked and falling apart, but a tracker went upstairs to see there were lifeless bodies on the floor and bed. Robert came upstairs and stumbled upon a body, the coppery smell of blood thick in the air, and saw his Noah, his throat slashed.

“Um...I am going to take Kathy to Silverlake Royal hospital. I need someone to take Noah's body in the body bag back to the hospital and never speak to anyone about this,” command Robert.

“Yes, sir,” said royal guard

As the warmth enveloped her in the backseat, Kathy allowed herself to relax for the first time after being kidnapped and giving birth. She knew safety was finally within reach, and that soon she would be reunited with her mate. Thoughts of Anthony flooded her mind, imagining the joy on his face when he saw their twin boys, whole and unharmed. For the first time, hope bloomed in her chest, mingling with exhaustion, as she drifted toward a much-needed rest.

Robert glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Kathy fast asleep, her arms curled protectively around the babies, both of whom had drifted into peaceful slumber. Not wanting to disturb them, he kept the heat on high and drove as quietly as possible, letting the gentle hum of the car soothe them on the way to safety.

Two hours later, they made it to Silverlake Royal Hospital, headlights cutting through the predawn mist as the car pulled up to the emergency entrance. The nurses and Dr. Quin hurried outside, quickly opening the car door just as Kathy stirred from her slumber. Blinking in the sudden brightness, she saw Dr. Quin’s reassuring face peering in, his gentle smile easing some of her anxiety. He greeted her softly, “Welcome back, Kathy. You’re safe now. Let’s get you and the babies inside.”

The nurses carefully lifted the twins from her arms, wrapping them snugly before whisking them inside for a thorough checkup. Dr. Quin offered his hand to Kathy, helping her out of the car and into a wheelchair, ensuring she felt supported every step of the way. Relief and gratitude welled up in Kathy as she realized she was finally surrounded by people who could help her and her children heal. In the maternity ward the babies and Kathy get check out by Dr. Roxy did a full body exam on Kathy to make sure her milk is coming in, did bloodwork to make sure there any poison in her system that can her and the babies. Dr. Roxy worked to ensure the premature babies' lungs were ready, and when both mother and infants were healthy, they cried for their initial feeding. The nurse helped her position the boys at each breast, and she could hear their tiny suckling sounds.

As Kathy finished feeding her babies, she looked up at the nurse nearby and softly asked, “Nurse, can you see if my mate Anthony Thompson can come and see us?” The nurse smiled warmly and replied, “Yes, miss, I will.” Kathy nodded in gratitude, watching as the nurse left the room to carry out her request. For the first time since her ordeal began, she felt a flicker of anticipation, knowing Anthony would soon be by her side.

“Thank you,”

As the boys ate, her stomach grumbled, reminding her she needed food, and they also needed names before visitors arrived. Kathy removed the baby from her breast and gently laid them down, taking care to alternate between each one. As she closed her gown before there knocked on the door, Seth entered the room, the scent of flowers preceding him.

Kathy smiled weakly at Seth, her exhaustion apparent but mingled with relief. “Honestly, I’m tired, but so grateful. I still can’t believe we’re safe now,” she replied, glancing down at her twin boys nestled close to her. “Thank you for being here.”

Seth sat quietly for a moment before speaking, his voice gentle. “Grace and Queen Vanessa made a full recovery. They were worried about you,” he said, offering Kathy a reassuring smile. Hearing this, Kathy felt another wave of relief wash over her, grateful that those she cared about were safe as well.

With the door ajar, Anthony entered the room in his wheelchair, the nurse assisting him, while Frances, Theo, Vanessa, and Grace hurried behind them, hoping to get a glimpse of the babies. Anthony slowly rose from the chair and, as Kathy shifted, climbed onto the bed.

Kathy smiled at Grace’s question, her voice soft but proud. “Their names are Kai and Leon,” she replied, gazing lovingly at her twin sons. “Kai is the one with brown hair and blue eyes, and Leon has black hair with green eyes.”

Everyone took turns gently holding each baby, their faces lighting up with wonder and joy as they cradled Kai and Leon. Laughter and quiet conversation filled the room, creating a warm, comforting atmosphere. When visiting hours ended, the twins were carefully settled into their basket, their soft breaths rising and falling in peaceful unison.

Anthony remained by Kathy’s side, determined not to leave her alone. He climbed back into the hospital bed, and together they curled up, drawing strength from each other’s presence. The nurse entered quietly, wheeling in a tray with their meals, her voice barely above a whisper so as not to disturb the sleeping boys. The room felt cozy and safe, filled with the gentle sounds of new life and quiet companionship, as Kathy and Anthony shared this rare moment of calm before the babies’ next meal.