Kids from One Alpha

Chapter 17: Too Human

Serena helped her mom bring all the boxes of toys and clothes into the house. The kids were wildly running around in excitement, chattering about what they thought was in each box. “Alright,” Serena said, getting their attention. She set the last box down. “If you two want these new things, you‘re going to have to bring them all up to your rooms and put them away, okay?” “Yes!” Olivia said jumping up and down. “Can we start, mommy?” Oliver asked. Serena nodded. “Go ahead,” she said, waving her arms over the boxes. The kids giggled and cheered, diving into the boxes. They started divvying things up and then running them up and down the stairs. Serena sighed, going to the kitchen to get herself a glass of water. “Do you want anything?” she asked Charlotte when her mother followed her into the kitchen. “No, I’m fine,” Charlotte said, taking a seat at the kitchen table. “You don‘t seem that grateful for my contribution.” Serena sat across from her mother, looking at the glossy surface of the wooden table. When she‘d been in medical school, her parents had paid her tuition and sent her monthly installments of money to support her. She had used most of it on the twins, even though they didn‘t know that‘s what it was

used for. While she‘d been grateful for the support, she‘d felt guilty accepting so much from them.

“Mom, it isn‘t that I don‘t appreciate it, I just…” she trailed off, meeting her mother‘s eyes. Charlotte waited expectantly. “You and dad supported me all through medical school. I took the job here in Night Sky to become more independent.” Charlotte laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder and waving her daughter‘s concern away. Serena crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at her mother.

of things to bring back to their rooms, Everything was an adventure to them. To be a kid again, with no worries and no responsibilities. Serena shook her head. No, she loved being a mother and a doctor! “Serena, you became a little too human while in school,” Charlotte teased her. Serena rolled her eyes. “What is that supposed to mean?” she asked. “Honey, this is what a pack does,” Charlotte said. “We support each other, we help each other.” “This is different,” Serena argued. “You can‘t just drop by and give my kids all these toys. They need to learn that they can‘t have everything they want.” Again, Charlotte shook her head. “These notions of ‘independence‘ and learning they can‘t have everything, these are human concepts. They have not place in the head of a pack doctor,” she said. Serena sighed. Maybe her mother was right. She had missed being in a pack when she‘d lived in the human world. Being back, she suddenly felt like the pack was overbearing. It was possible to have her independence and still be part of the pack. At least, she hoped it was. “You‘re just going to have to get used to this again,” Charlotte said. “When you and your brother were younger, pack members doted on you all the time. I‘m not just your mother, I‘m their grandmother.” “Fine, fine,” Serena said, holing her hands up in surrender. “Thank you for helping out.” Charlotte smiled. “Olivia, Oliver, get in here!” she called to the kids when they came downstairs for more toys. The twins appeared in the kitchen, big smiles on their faces, cheeks flushed from all their running around. “Thank your grandmother for the new gifts, please,” she said. “Thank you, Grammy!” Olivia said, throwing herself across Charlotte‘s lap. Serena smiled at the teary look

for permission. “Yes, that is fine, go on and play,” Serena said, waving the kids away. They took off once more, happily sifting through another box. “It makes them happy,” Charlotte said. Serena nodded.

as much of the truth as she could give without giving away too much. “You made no effort to track him down?” she asked. “I was in medical school,” she said. “I didn‘t have the time to track down an unnamed wolf whose face I could barely remember while raising twins and focusing on my studies.” “That‘s a fair point,” Charlotte agreed. “Well, I think you should make an effort now.” Serena shrugged. She couldn‘t tell her mother that she thought she had

“Thank you,” she said. As much as it bothered her to have her mother ask about it, Serena knew that it was an issue that would continue to come up.

and brother. It would give you a break too.” Serena thought about it. She wanted her kids to know their family. She had plenty of help with the kids within Night Sky, but it wasn‘t the same as having their blood family help them. “As long as it is okay with them,” Serena said. “I think they would love spending time with you, dad and Santino.” “Great!” Charlotte said, jumping up. Serena