Kamrynn's POV
It had been five days since I gave birth to my twins, and the world felt both miraculous and impossibly heavy. The aftermath of childbirth wasn't something I'd fully prepared for, no matter how many stories I'd heard or how many reassurances I'd been given. My body felt like a battlefield, and I wasn't sure if I was winning or losing the war.
My first real struggle came from the constant bleeding. Every movement reminded me that my body was still in recovery, and the dull ache in my abdomen served as a persistent reminder that my body had gone through something extraordinary-and excruciating. I shifted uncomfortably in bed, my hand brushing against the bundle of blankets where my twins slept.
The exhaustion wasn't just physical. Sleep was a distant memory, a luxury I hadn't experienced since their arrival. Every cry woke me in a panic, my heart pounding as I scrambled to soothe whichever baby needed me more. Even when they were quiet, I found myself lying awake, afraid something might go wrong if I closed my eyes.
Rmonica's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Kamrynn, you need to eat something. You'll burn out if you don't."
I glanced over at her. She stood in the doorway, a tray balanced in her hands. "I'm not hungry," I said, my voice hoarse.
"You haven't eaten all day," Rmonica pointed out, placing the tray on the bedside table. She leaned down, her gaze softening as she looked at the twins. "They need their mom at full strength. You can't take care of them if you're falling apart."
"I'm not falling apart," I muttered, though I wasn't sure if I was trying to convince her or myself.
"You're bleeding through your nightgown," she said gently, sitting beside me. "And don't tell me it's fine. I might not have experienced it myself, at least not yet..." She began softly, her eyes lowering to her growing bump.
"But I've seen it so many times, Kamrynn. I know what postpartum is like and it can't be easy with two babies."
I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat. "It's not just the bleeding. I... I don't feel like myself, Rmonica. I'm tired, I'm irritable, and-" My voice cracked. "-I'm scared. What if I'm not good enough? What if I mess up?"
Before Rmonica could respond, Tiona entered the room, holding a small pile of folded clothes. "The twins' laundry is done. Do you want me to put these away?"
"Thank you," I said softly, trying to smile but failing.
Tiona placed the clothes in the small dresser by the wall, then turned to me. "You're doing better than you think, Kamrynn. No one has all the answers right away."
"But it doesn't feel like I'm doing anything right," I admitted. "They're always crying. I'm always crying. My hormones are all over the place, and I just..." I trailed off, staring down at my hands.
Rmonica reached over, placing a hand on my shoulder. "That's normal. All of it. You're not supposed to have it all together. And you're not alone, Kamrynn. Tiona and I are here for you."
Tiona nodded. "We've got your back. Whatever you need, just ask."
I appreciated their help, truly, but there was a void they couldn't fill. I had no mate to lean on, no partner to hold me when the nights felt endless and my tears wouldn't stop. The emptiness in my chest felt like it was swallowing me whole.
I bit my lip, trying to hold back tears. "Thank you, both of you. I mean it. I don't know what I'd do without you, but..." My voice trembled. "I can't help wishing I had someone-someone who could share this with me."
Rmonica's gaze sharpened, and she exchanged a look with Tiona. "We can't replace a mate," Rmonica said carefully, "but we can make sure you don't feel alone."
"You're not alone," Tiona echoed.
Despite their reassurances, I couldn't shake the weight pressing down on me. The twins stirred, their tiny cries breaking the moment. I moved to pick them up, wincing as the pain in my abdomen flared.
"Let us help," Rmonica said quickly, stepping forward.
"No, it's okay," I said, cradling them both against me. Their warmth and the soft sounds they made were the only things grounding me, even as exhaustion threatened to pull me under.
Once they were fed and settled back in their makeshift crib, I collapsed onto the bed. Rmonica sat beside me, her expression thoughtful.
"You need a break," she said firmly.
"A break?" I gave a weak laugh. "With two newborns? That's not exactly an option."
Rmonica shook her head. "I'm serious, Kamrynn. You're stretched too thin. You need something to remind you that you're still you-not just a mom, but Kamrynn. A celebration, maybe."
"A celebration?" I stared at her like she'd suggested I take up mountain climbing. "Rmonica, I can barely get out of bed most days. How am I supposed to-"
"I'll take care of the twins while you enjoy yourself," she interrupted. "You need this, Kamrynn. Trust me."
Tiona nodded in agreement. "She's right. It doesn't have to be a big party, but something small might help."
"I don't know..."
"Think about it," Rmonica urged. "Just a few hours to recharge. You deserve it."
I hesitated, torn between the desire to escape the overwhelming monotony of my days and the guilt of leaving my babies, even temporarily.
"Fine," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "But only because I don't want to upset you."
Rmonica grinned, jumping to her feet. "You won't regret this. I'll handle everything-don't worry about a thing."
As she hurried out of the room, likely to start planning immediately, I leaned back against the pillows.
"You did the right thing," Tiona said softly.
"I hope so," I murmured.
When Tiona left to help Rmonica, I closed my eyes, exhaustion dragging me under.
And then…the dream.
I was in a dark room, it was suffocating, familiar. Light began to seep in from a crack in the window and my stomach dropped with recognition. I was in Calvin's room… but how?! How could I be here? I escaped, I…. The air was cold and damp, carrying the faint metallic tang of blood.
I stood there, shivering, my arms crossed over my chest. A door slammed echoed through the emptiness, and I flinched. Slowly, Calvin emerged from the shadows, a whip dangling from his hand like an extension of his malice. His face was shrouded in shadow, but his eyes burned with a cruel light that made my stomach churn.
"You thought you could escape me, Kamrynn?" His voice slithered through the air, each word dripping with venom.
I backed away, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps. "No... please. Don't do this."
He raised the whip, the leather coiling in his hand like a serpent. "You deserve this. You brought this on yourself."
The whip snapped, slicing through the air before it struck my back. The pain was instant and searing, a fire that ripped through my body. I cried out, collapsing to my knees, my hands trembling as I pressed them against the cold, unyielding ground.
"Please," I begged, tears streaming down my face. "Stop."
But he didn't stop. The whip cracked again, and this time, I could feel the blood trickling down my back, warm and sticky. I curled into myself, sobbing, wishing I could disappear.
Just as he raised the whip for another strike, his movements faltered. His arm trembled, and the whip slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground.
Calvin stared at his empty hand, his expression twisting into one of confusion-and then pain. He stumbled back, his breaths ragged as if he couldn't catch enough air.
"What... what is this?" he muttered, looking down at his hands.
Red lines began to snake across his skin, wounds opening as if he had been the one lashed. Blood poured from the gashes, dripping onto the floor in thick, dark rivulets. He clutched his chest, his knees buckling as he fell to the ground.
"I'm sorry," he choked out, his voice raw and desperate. "I didn't mean to..."
I sat frozen, my body trembling as I watched him bleed. His tears streamed down his face, but they weren't tears-they were blood. Each drop splattered onto the ground, blooming like crimson flowers.
"Kamrynn," he rasped, his eyes locking onto mine. His gaze was no longer filled with cruelty, but with desperation. He reached out a trembling hand toward me, his fingers slick with blood. "You're the only one who can save me."
I scrambled back, fear and revulsion battling within me. "Stay away," I whispered, my voice shaking.
"Please," he pleaded, crawling toward me, his blood leaving a trail in his wake. "You're my salvation."
"No!" I screamed, the sound ripping from my throat as I pressed myself against the wall, trying to melt into it.
He stopped just short of reaching me, his body crumpling into a broken heap. His blood pooled around him, reflecting the flicker of light that wasn't there before. His face tilted upward, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of regret-before his body dissolved into the shadows.
I jolted awake, my chest heaving, drenched in sweat. My hands flew to my back, my fingers searching for the wounds I could still feel-but they weren't there.
The room was silent except for the soft breaths of my twins, but the dream clung to me, heavy and suffocating. I wrapped my arms around myself, my skin cold and damp as a terrible unease settled in my stomach. Something was wrong. Something was coming.