Chapter 124

Valen POV

My hands rubbed over Everly’s huge bump. Relief flooded me as I finally got her home. She didn’t want to leave Zoe, and I even had to get Doc Darnel in to tell her to go home. She was supposed to be on bed rest, but I knew she wouldn’t rest at all until she saw with her own eyes that Zoe was alive. Everly had been quiet most of the trip and I knew she was worried about Ava. We had scoured the entire city, including the tunnels, but nothing.

“Any news yet?” Everly asked as I leaned down to kiss her belly. I shake my head, and she pushes my face away, trying to tug the shirt she was wearing down.

I growl at her, and she sighs, but I can tell she was too tired to argue with me. She hated her body. She believed she looked stretched out and ugly, but I loved the stretch marks marking her skin. I loved each one, loved that she was the vessel that currently carried thirty little fingers, thirty little toes, and three extra beating hearts. Hearts that were mine to protect and love. Yet to me, none were more important than hers, the one that beat so they could.

“We’ll find them. The council …” My phone started ringing, cutting my words off. I reach for it. I had told everyone to not use the mind link. Everly didn’t need the extra stress, and I knew she would find no rest with everyone chatting away in our heads. Plus, now I had no idea who to trust.

Macey’s name pops up on the screen, and I glance at Everly as she rolls to reach for her water bottle. Sitting up, I grab it, handing it to her before kissing her head and walking out in case it was about Zoe. “Hey, everything okay?”

“Ah, yeah, it’s fine but can you send someone out to the old mine road?” she asked, and I pulled the phone from my ear to make sure it was her. It was an odd request, and she sounded strange on the phone. “Why?”