This is not the time, nor the place for these feelings, but the darkness is making me absolutely horny right now. I reach out and tap Logan’s butt. He licks his lips.

“You know, these trappers are real stupid,” I remark. “We all have perfect vision in the dark.”

“Yeah, baby. But we’re trapped in here without a way out. Sooner or later, someone’s going to walk in that store and see an innocent man tied up,” Logan says.

Jonas grumbles, “Innocent, my ass. He would have sold us all out. Those betas have no idea. They’re messing with a group of chosen-ones.”

Jackson laughs. “I’m pretty sure the knowledge keeper never told you that you were a chosen-one, Jonas.”

I try and listen to the best of my ability. I try to make contact with the shopkeeper in a desperate attempt to get out, but behind these ancient walls my ability is next to nothing.

Logan is sniffing wildly. “I have to think like a trapper. If there was a way out of here, where would it be?”

He looks into the air, up at the brick-laid wall. “There’s nothing,” he groans.

But I see something. At least, it could be something. “Guys. Wait. Look above this chair here. Do you see what I’m seeing?”

“Holy shit,” Logan says, with a big, cute smile.

“A bow!” Jonas exclaims. “And look, the arrow is missing an arrowhead! By the great goddess, I think we found it!”

Reaching into his satchel, he pulls out the bag. The room glows vibrantly. Logan removes his shirt and makes a cup with his palm. I can’t help but stare at his incredible biceps and abs. I like this whole saving the world thing, but damn! When am I going to get some time alone with him again?

Logan receives the arrowhead in his cupped palm. He steps onto the chair and places the golden rock into its correct place. The whole room shifts violently. Logan flies off the chair, landing on his ass.

“Shit!” he cries out. Jonas can’t control his laughter.

“My clumsy alpha,” I purr.

“Yeah, I know it,” he grumbles.

Another door opens up behind us with a loud scraping noise. “What? That was it?” Jonas asks. “That stupid arrowhead’s purpose was to open a door?”

Jonas has spoken too soon. I feel a pain within my womb. I feel it hit deep within, causing me to collapse across the floor. “Ahhh!”

“Jackson!” Logan shouts, dropping to his knees.

Again, I see too much at once. Memories flood into my brain. I can feel every sense imaginable. Some of these emotions feel ancient, like they came before my time.

Finally, it all starts to slow down a little bit. I quickly realize that I’ve come into contact with Genesis, Logan’s papa. I used to know him fairly well, but it’s been so long since I’ve seen him.

This time, however, he looks as if he has lost all the glory he once held. He is laying on a bed of roses. The roses begin to decay around him. A breath of air flushes out from his mouth, spiraling into the air. I try to understand what is happening, but I can’t wrap my head around it.

“It’s a trap,” he whispers. His voice grows louder and louder, until it feels like it’s knocking on the sides of my mind. “It’s a trap!”

My eyes flicker back into reality. “We need to move!” I say, jumping back up onto my feet.

Logan is alarmed, but ready to move. Without any warning, he picks me up and carries me. “Okay. Let’s run this way! Through the door,” he says.

Just as we escape, the whole room collapses behind us. “Whoa!” Jonas cries out in astonishment.

“Whoa is right. Where the hell are we?” Logan asks.

“It looks like we’re in some underground tunnel,” I say.

It extends for miles at least. I was not expecting to walk this much while holding twins. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you, kitten. I’m not going to put you down just yet,” Logan says, practically reading my mind.

I don’t know how, but everything has already begun to feel a bit heavy. I’m trying to remain strong for everyone. I know that I don’t have to, but I want to. I didn’t realize that everything could happen so quickly.

“I’m sorry Logan. It’s the twins. They’re growing faster than I thought they would. I swear, they’re going to be out sooner than we think,” I say.

“Don’t ever apologize to me for feeling,” Logan whispers. “I’ve heard of stories. You know. I’ve heard of certain children forming faster because of their abilities. Whatever is happening to you, must be tied with the outer realms. We need to get to the caves as fast as we can.”

“Yes you do.” This phrase doesn’t come from Jonas, Logan, or me. It comes from a scratchy, high-pitched voice.

“Uh.” I peer past Logan’s shoulder and see a bright, red light.

“Don’t you recognize me? I’ve been with you this whole time. Don’t be frightened,” the voice continues.

“Reveal yourself!” Logan shouts.

The light footsteps echo off of the tunnel walls. The shadow-shape of a large bird comes into view. And then we see it. “The phoenix,” I whisper.

“Who are you?” Jonas asks. “And what do you mean you’ve been following us the whole time?”

The bird laughs, cackling lightly. “Oh, child. Names are not important. I have lived many lives. I was once called Huma. I suppose that is as good enough a name as any.”

“Okay, Huma. Where are we going?” Jonas asks.

“First, I need to know what this jaguar saw when he put the rock into its proper place,” Huma says.

The images flood back. I can feel that gut-wrenching feeling again. “I saw Genesis, laying in a bed of roses,” I say.

“You what? You didn’t tell me that.” Logan is startled. I can feel his heartbeat against his back start to pound faster than normal.

“It all happened so fast. He said something to me. He told me ‘it’s a trap.’ I’m not sure what any of that means,” I admit.

Huma smiles, knowingly. “I figured as much. The arrowhead was a false indicator, meant to trap you in that room forever. You must see. Your twins are very special creatures. Though, I’m sure you already know that. They’re growing at an alarming rate.”

“I can feel it,” I say.

“Yes. Well, there are entities that want you dead,” Huma says.

I can feel Logan’s biceps twitch underneath my butt. “What sort of entities?” Logan asks.

Huma has already turned her back to us. “Just follow me, will you? I will lead you to the great northern caves. Your father Genesis will be there. I have a feeling that your homecoming reunion will be much different than what you are expecting. Now, now. No more questions. All will be revealed in time.”

I can’t even begin to guess what any of this means. All I know is that I’m starting to feel really sick again. And when I reach down, I feel my baby bump already forming.

I close my eyes and communicate to my alpha. “Logan. Our babies. I can’t believe it! You have to feel my belly!”

Logan nearly gasps when he sees how big my stomach is. “What in the heavens! Do you think they’re coming soon?”

All of a sudden, I feel so frickin’ giddy right now. I almost start bawling on the spot.

“What?” Jonas croaks. “Oh. My. Goddess! You’re… fat!”

“Hey! That’s my mate you’re talking about, Jonas,” Logan warns. “Back off.”

I choose to laugh at Jonas’s ignorant comments because my skin feels radiant right now. “It’s okay. He’s just jealous that he doesn’t have a set of goddess-like twins coming into the world.”

“Okay, seriously. Huma, what is happening? This isn’t normal. Why is my omega already plumping up?” Logan asks.

“The twins have been blessed. I already told you that much. They will come within a month’s time. Please, we can’t keep stopping. I wasn’t going to say anything, but I might as well spill the beans. This tunnel is a few days journey. We must make haste!”

“Fuck,” I sigh.

“It’ll be okay, my mate. We’ll get through this together. You’re going to experience a lot, fast. But I’ll keep you safe. I promise you,” Logan says.

Looking into his faithful eyes, I know he’s telling the truth. This world has thrown a lot at me before. I just have to brace for impact and hope for the best.

We can do this. Together, we can get through anything… I hope.