Chapter 172: Would You Like More Children?

Chapter 173: Would You Like More Children?

Zephyra's POV

"Yes, I know," I replied, watching his profile in the dim light from the dashboard. "But she should be treated with respect no matter what position they hold."

Noah's lips curved into a small smile, his eyes still fixed on the empty road ahead. "Right answer," he said softly, reaching over to squeeze my hand.

I felt a warm glow of satisfaction spread through my chest. I knew the hierarchy was important in wolf culture—it was embedded in their DNA, after all—but I couldn't bring myself to see omegas as lesser beings. Everyone deserved basic dignity and respect.

The car hummed quietly as we drove through the night, streetlights casting rhythmic patterns of light and shadow across Noah's face. My mind drifted to Elise and the babies, excitement bubbling up inside me.

"I'm so excited and happy," I said, breaking the comfortable silence. "I'm dying to see and hold the twins."

Noah glanced at me, his expression softening. "You really love children, don't you?"

"I do," I admitted. "I always have."

He was quiet for a moment, then asked, "Would you like more children? Even if it's in the future?"

The question caught me off guard. I'd been so focused on adjusting to my new life—Ophelia, Noah, the pack—that I hadn't really thought about having more kids. The idea of a little boy with Noah's warm brown eyes and mischievous smile flashed through my mind, making my heart skip a beat.

"Would you?" I asked instead of answering, curious about his thoughts.

Noah kept his eyes on the road, but I could see him considering the question seriously. "I wouldn't mind," he finally said. "I love Lily and I already love Ophelia, but I wouldn't mind having a baby with you. That is, if you want one."

The casual way he said it—as if we were discussing what to have for dinner rather than creating a new life together—made my breath catch. But what warmed my heart most was hearing him say he loved Ophelia. She wasn't his biological daughter, yet he'd embraced her completely.

I thought about it carefully. A baby would be a huge commitment, especially with everything else going on in our lives. But the image of that little boy with Noah's eyes wouldn't leave my mind.

"If you're sure about me, then I don't mind," I said, surprising myself with how much I meant it. "I never thought about it before, but now I can picture having one of your child."

He shook his head, chuckling. "You're something else, you know that?" His expression grew more serious. "You're sure? I'm not pressuring you or anything like that?"

"I'm sure," I said softly.

The brilliant smile that spread across his face made my heart swell. I reached over and placed my hand on his thigh, feeling the solid warmth of him beneath my palm. It was strange how natural this all felt—discussing our future, thinking about having a child together. With anyone else, it would have terrified me. But with Noah, it just felt right.

We spent the rest of the drive talking easily about everything and nothing—pack business, Ophelia's latest developmental milestone, a funny story Noah had heard from Ryan. The conversation flowed naturally, without awkward pauses or forced topics. It was comfortable in a way I'd never experienced with anyone else.

About an hour and a half later, we pulled into the hospital parking lot. I could barely contain my excitement, unbuckling my seatbelt before Noah had even fully stopped the car.

"Someone's eager," he teased as I practically leaped out of the vehicle.

"Come on!" I called over my shoulder, already jogging toward the entrance. I heard him laugh behind me, followed by the sound of his longer strides catching up.

Inside the hospital, I pulled out my phone to call Chloe.

"Where are you guys?" I asked as soon as she answered.

"The maternity wing. It's on the second floor," she replied, her voice tight with what sounded like a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

Noah and I took the elevator up, and as soon as the doors opened, I spotted Chloe, Zoe, Marcus, and Ryan in a small waiting area. Chloe's eyes were red-rimmed, and she jumped up when she saw us.

I hurried over and hugged her, then turned to embrace Zoe. "How long have you been here?" I asked.

"Just a few minutes before you guys did," Zoe replied, looking tired but excited.

Noah greeted everyone with handshakes and brief hugs, his presence immediately calming the nervous energy in the room.

"Any news yet? How's she doing?" I asked, looking around at their tense faces.

Chloe's eyes welled up with fresh tears. "Nothing yet, and Dominic is with her..." Her voice broke slightly. "It's agony hearing her screaming."

As if on cue, a muffled cry of pain echoed down the hallway. I winced, my heart breaking for Elise. I couldn't imagine the pain she was going through, giving birth to twins.

We settled in to wait, the minutes stretching into hours. People paced, drank coffee from the vending machine, checked their phones, all while Elise's occasional screams pierced the quiet hospital atmosphere. No one had any updates, and the waiting became almost unbearable.

As dawn broke, casting pale light through the windows, Oliver arrived with Lily and Emma. Lily immediately ran to Noah, throwing herself into his arms with a delighted cry of "Daddy!"

I watched them together, smiling at the obvious bond between them. Despite everything that had happened, Noah was a good father to Lily, and she adored him.

Oliver slumped into the chair next to mine, his face a complex mixture of worry, anxiety, and excitement. "Any news yet?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly.

"Not yet," I replied, squeezing his hand reassuringly.

We continued our vigil, the tension in the room growing with each passing hour. Finally, around mid-morning, Dominic burst through the doors, his face flushed and his eyes wild.

"It's a boy!" he announced, his voice hoarse with emotion. Before anyone could react, he disappeared back through the doors, clearly eager to return to Elise's side.

A collective sigh of relief went through the room, followed by excited murmurs. But our celebration was short-lived as we realized Elise still had another baby to deliver.

A few minutes later, Dominic reappeared, this time with a beaming smile that transformed his usually stern features. "And a girl," he said, his voice breaking with joy. "They're both perfect. Elise is exhausted but she's fine."

About an hour later, we were allowed to visit in small groups. When it was my turn to enter with Noah, I felt my heart swell at the sight of Elise propped up in bed, looking exhausted but radiantly happy.

I approached the bassinet where the twins lay side by side. The boy, Balthazar Blackwood, had a shock of dark hair and features that seemed to be a perfect blend of Dominic and Elise. When I carefully lifted him into my arms, he squirmed slightly before settling against my chest.

Noah took the girl, Evangeline Blackwood, who was the spitting image of her mother with wisps of auburn hair already visible on her tiny head. The look of wonder on Noah's face as he cradled the newborn made my heart skip a beat.

Looking around the room at all the happy faces—Dominic hovering protectively near Elise, Chloe wiping tears from her eyes, Oliver peering curiously at his new siblings—I felt a sense of rightness settle over me.

And as I watched Noah gently rocking little Evangeline, completely enchanted by the tiny bundle in his arms, I knew with absolute certainty that I wouldn't mind having his child at all.