Chapter 33

Kadeem

The following morning, Kadeem returned to the set for their last day of shooting. Straight away, he saw the kids dressed and ready to start as they all enjoyed a little snack. He made sure to go over and give them plenty of attention, earning him giggles and smiles from them all.

When they were called to set though, each of them gave him a firm hug, causing an upward tug on his lips. He knew people were staring, but he didn’t care.

With every passing second, he was becoming more convinced that these were his children. An Alpha’s intuition was hardly ever wrong, and he knew he had to be right about this. One way or another, these babies were his.

It was more than just the resemblance now. It was their undeniable draw to one another - even his grandmother had confirmed that there was something special. Kadeem had to take that as a sign pointed in his favor.

However, he was also expecting the call from the lab that day. The possibility made him restless as he often checked his phone between takes, waiting for the buzz within his pocket. Any minute now, someone would call and tell him the news he already knew.

As he waited, he watched the babies perform like pure professionals. They were used to the routine now, well-acquainted with the staff. They knew what to do and when - a look of worry never crossing their innocent faces.

Kadeem felt a swell of pride as he stared from the sidelines, often catching the girl glancing his way before she’d give him a small wave. He made sure to return it each time. It was worth it just to see the way her face would light up and she’d wiggle in her seat.

Mine. These babies are mine.

The day continued on as they finished shot after shot, taking a few breaks so the kids could run around or have more sweets. The children were adamant that he be a part of their games or even convinced him to eat a few chocolates. They were eating up the few hours they had left together - even if Kadeem was certain they wouldn’t be their last.

Finally, the late afternoon started to set in and he could tell the babies were growing tired. After a week of being in front of a camera, he wasn’t surprised that the children were reaching the end of their rope.

“We’re almost done,” he told them as they set up for their last shot. “Then you can have more chocolate.”

“Only if you eat one with us,” the girl said, giving his arm a little squeeze. Kadeem nodded, knowing he couldn’t deny those sweet, green eyes.

After giving them a few more words of encouragement, Kadeem walked off the set, allowing the cameras to set up for their shot as he took his place at the sidelines. However, just before the man yelled “action,” his phone began to ring from his pocket.

Reaching for it immediately, Kadeem stepped away as he pressed the phone to his ear.

“Hello,” he answered, skin already tingling as he reached the edge of the studio, giving himself privacy.

“Hello, Kadeem,” a man replied. “This is Merrick from the Red Moon Lab. We have the results of your DNA test.”

Another spark instantly ran down Kadeem’s spine.

“And?” he pressed. He had no time for pleasantries. He needed the information now.

The man hesitated for a moment, causing Kadeem’s teeth to clench together with impatience. However, he soon heard the man clear his throat.

“The results came back negative,” Merrick replied.

All at once, Kadeem could feel his body grow numb, his limbs slacking, his expression falling flat. The sound of his heart began to beat loudly in his ears as his blood suddenly felt too heavy in his veins.

Slowly, he turned, looking back at the set where the babies were already performing their last take. Their smiling faces were bright and carefree. They moved so fearlessly.

“No,” Kadeem stated, his lips barely moving.

No. Something wasn’t right.

Once more, Merrick gave a small clear of his throat.

“I’m sorry, sir,” the man said.

“But they share no relation to you.”

~

Ardal

“Mommy, look at this picture I drew today,” Silas says, holding up a piece of paper with a tiger drawn on it. Or at least…I think it’s a tiger.

“Its’ wonderful,” I tell him as Lottie continues to try and braid my hair. I take the paper from Silas, giving a proud nod as I hear Lottie’s frustrated huffs. “We have to hang this on the fridge.”

Silas giggles in excitement, clapping his hands together as he scoots toward a new page of paper and crayons. Likely, he plans to draw up another picture worthy of the fridge. Beside him, Erbao is coaching Ezra through a game of chess while Milo happily watches as he bites into a cookie.

My eyes move from one face to another as I notice the contentment on their faces, or maybe even undeniable happiness. However, I know it’s not only caused by our calm evening together.

No, I know for a fact that the babies only returned an hour before I did - their high spirits are a result of another day spent with their father. But I still haven’t said anything about the commercial. They have no idea that I know about their little scheme.

I don’t think I’m going to either - not unless I have a reason. After all, I’ve already intercepted Kadeem’s own plans with the lab and I don’t have to worry about him meddling. By now, he probably knows the results of the test and will hopefully take a step back.

But still, I can’t crush my babies’ hearts by ruining the time they spent with their father. So I decide to keep my lectures to myself and just enjoy the happiness worn across their faces.

It makes my heart hurt - seeing how high-spirited they all are as Milo squeals at Erbao’s triumphant win over Ezra. However, I still tell myself the same thing - it’s better this way. At the end of the day, all of our lives are better without Kadeem in them.

“Alright,” I say after another few minutes. “It’s bedtime. Come along.”

Lottie’s hands leave my hair as I stand, my babies whines filling my ears as they hesitate to follow. Only, I make sure to give them a half-hearted stern look before they all rise to their feet - their little lips pouted out.

“But we’re not tired,” Lottie protests despite how she rubs at her eyes. Silas takes my hand while Milo gives a small yawn.

“Then maybe I’ll read you to sleep, hmm?” I say as we all make our way to their room.

Once we’re there, I help them all change into their pajamas before they climb into their own beds. More yawns fill the room as I sit down on a chair and pull out one of their favorite books, opening up to the first page.

“Mommy, can we go swimming soon?” Silas asks before I can start.

I look over at his drooping eyelids, my lips pressing together. But still, I nod.

“Soon, baby. When it’s warmer,” I remind him. Silas gave a nod of his own, his eyes officially closing. I turn back to the book, but soon realize a story isn’t necessary. The babies are all asleep already.

I stand, moving to each baby and planting kisses on their foreheads. However, my attention turns to the mess across the floor - toys, clothes, and books scattered all over.

I get to work, picking up the items and putting aside clothes for a load of laundry - with six babies, the laundry basket fills up quickly. I worry about the books next, gathering them before I head to the bookshelf to neatly set them aside.

I’m just placing the last book when my hand stops, hovering in midair before I notice something shiny wedged behind a few books about dinosaurs. My brows bunch together as I quietly reach my hand back, sliding the object into my palm before I’m able to pull it out.

And then I uncurl my fingers, my stomach dropping as my eyes land on what I’ve found.

A pocket watch. But not just any pocket watch.

I’ve seen it before.

Sitting on the dresser of the bedroom I used to have. Resting on a large desk. And sliding out of a jacket pocket before green eyes would check the time.

Kadeem’s. It’s Kadeem’s.

Suddenly, I want to drop the watch as if the metal has become scolding hot. But instead, my throat grows tight as I clench it in my hand, my heart racing.

Kadeem’s pocket watch. He’d received it from his grandfather when he was eighteen - and I’d been right at his side. I’d held onto his arm as we stared at in wonder, both of us soon looking up at each other before we shared a small smile.

“I’ll treasure it,” he’d told his grandfather.

I can’t believe it. I can’t believe Kadeem has willingly given my babies something so special to him. And I know he gave it to them - my babies wouldn’t steal something from someone they clearly liked.

I look down at the watch again, my head spinning as the metal shines in the dim glow of the babies’ nightlight. I try to swallow the lump in my throat as I consider the memory of Kadeem again.

Smiling. The whole time we’d grown up together, we’d always been smiling. We hardly fought, we spent every moment we could together. We were completely in love long before the universe announced that we were mates.

But the universe had been wrong.

Suddenly, the smiles from my memory turn wicked, looking cruel and frightening. It makes me tighten my hand over the watch again.

I have to take it. I have to bring it back to him. I can’t let my babies keep the watch and stare at it fondly.

I can’t let the memory of Kadeem hurt them like it has hurt me.