Chapter 216
Asher
I moved closer, positioning where I could see while maintaining my presence behind Kara. Blake and Cole did the same, all three drawn by the need to understand.
Then Dr. Martinez's face broke into the biggest smile yet, and some tension eased.
"Congratulations." She turned the screen toward us, pointing to three distinct shapes, each with a tiny flickering light at its center. "Three future Alphas are growing strong. Look—three gestational sacs, three heartbeats."
Complete silence.
I stared, my mind struggling to process. Three. Not one. Three.
My gaze traced each shape, watching the perfect synchronization of those tiny lights pulsing in rhythm. Like a symphony. Like the three of us, connected since before birth.
In the earliest moments, we were one cell, I thought. We shared everything—one placenta, one genetic code. We were never meant to be separate.
And now Kara was carrying three lives, bound as tightly as their fathers.
Through the bond, Blake's shock hit first, sharp and overwhelming. Then Cole's, softer but intense, accompanied by tears. My own eyes stung.
"You're carrying triplets. Three pups. All developing beautifully, all with strong, healthy heartbeats. This is quite rare, even among Alpha bloodlines."
Three babies. Three Alphas. Three lives needing everything we could give.
My mind immediately began calculating. Standard nursery plans inadequate—we'd need three cribs, triple the supplies. Kara's nutritional needs significantly higher. Different risk factors. We'd need specialists, contingency plans—
Breathe, Cole sent. One step at a time.
But I couldn't stop the flood of considerations. Three babies meant three times the vulnerability, three times the potential for things to go wrong. Kara's body under incredible strain—
Blake found his voice first, defensive, challenging. "They'll be as big as their dad. Just give them time!"
Despite everything, I felt a smile tug at my lips. Trust Blake to respond with immediate pride.
But I had to correct him. "Dads," I said firmly but gently. "We're all three their fathers."
Through the bond, Cole's irritation flared sharp. I'm tired of you always trying to claim sole fatherhood, Blake. They're all three of ours.
I didn't say 'only,' Blake protested defensively. I was just excited!
You said 'their dad,' singular, Cole pointed out. Not 'dads.'
I sent a wave of calm through our connection. We're all excited. And we're all their fathers, equally. That's what matters.
Their agreement rippled through the bond. We were in this together, as always. Three fathers for three children. Almost poetically perfect.
My gaze returned to the screen. Three heartbeats, perfectly synchronized, like ours had been in the womb. Like they still were.
They'll never be alone, I realized. They'll have each other, the way we have each other. They'll understand what it means to be part of something larger from the very beginning.
The thought pushed back against my anxiety. Yes, there would be challenges. Yes, higher risks. But our children would have something precious—the same unbreakable connection that had sustained us through everything.
"All three are measuring appropriately for eight weeks. Heartbeats are strong and regular—approximately 170 beats per minute each, which is perfect for this stage. Clear yolk sacs, excellent. Placentas developing normally..."
I pulled out my notebook with slightly trembling hands and began recording every detail. Three fetuses, eight weeks gestation. Heartbeats: ~170 bpm each. Yolk sacs present. Placental development normal.
"I'll want to see you back in two weeks for another scan. With triplets, we'll need more frequent monitoring. We'll also need to discuss additional nutritional requirements—your caloric intake will need to increase significantly, and we'll supplement with extra folic acid, iron, and calcium..."
I wrote everything in precise handwriting. Next appointment: 2 weeks. Nutritional consultation needed. Supplements: folic acid, iron, calcium (dosages TBD).
But even as I documented practical concerns, part of my mind remained fixed on that screen, on those three tiny lives depending entirely on us.
Three babies. Three times the love, three times the responsibility, three times the potential for failure.
We won't fail them, my wolf insisted fiercely. We failed Kara before, but we won't fail our children. We'll be better.
Through the bond, Blake stared at the screen with wonder, his scent rich with satisfaction and pride. Cole's tears streamed down his face, his scent sweeter than I'd ever sensed it. And beneath it all, Kara's complicated swirl—shock, fear, hope, and something that might have been acceptance.
I shifted my attention to her face. She needed to see our confidence, our commitment.
We're ready, I told myself firmly. We'll make ourselves ready. We have nine months—less with triplets, probably—to prepare. We'll hire the best help, consult the best doctors, create the safest environment. Whatever it takes.
Dr. Martinez was explaining risks and recommendations, but I'd captured the key points. My mind was already racing ahead, planning, organizing, trying to impose order on the chaos.
Three babies meant expanding the nursery significantly. The room we'd prepared would be inadequate. We'd need at least twice the space. And staff—definitely additional staff. Night nurses for feedings. And—
Stop, Cole sent gently. You're spiraling.
He was right. I was trying to control everything because the alternative was acknowledging how terrified I was. How much could go wrong. How much we stood to lose.
We'll figure it out, Blake sent, unusually serious. Together. Like we always do.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to release some tension. Blake was right. We'd face this together, as a unit.
Through the bond, I felt Kara's gaze on me. I looked down at her, letting her see the fierce protectiveness in my eyes, the absolute determination.
"Thank you," I said quietly. "For carrying our children. For giving us this gift."
Her eyes widened, surprise bleeding through the bond that I would thank her.
You're everything, I sent privately. You and these babies—you're everything that matters.
Dr. Martinez printed several ultrasound copies, and I accepted them with steadier hands. Three tiny shapes, three flickering lights, frozen in time.
"Your next appointment should be scheduled at the front desk. Take it easy, drink plenty of water, and call immediately if you experience any bleeding, severe cramping, or unusual symptoms. With triplets, we want to be extra cautious."
I nodded, making mental notes. Monitor for bleeding. Watch for cramping. Increase water intake. Schedule two-week follow-up.
As Blake helped Kara sit up, I stared at the ultrasound photo. Three lives. Three futures. Three reasons to be better.
Fortunately, I sent to my brothers, trying for dry humor, there are three devoted dads involved. We'll share everything, support each other. This will be easy... right?
The last word carried enough uncertainty to make them both laugh through the bond.
Nothing about this will be easy, Cole sent back warmly. But we'll manage. We always do.