Twins usually mean double the joy, a two for one, a built in friend from birth. But that doesn't apply to Darius and Storm's boys. Their sons are simply double the work.

Daven shows the signs of being a powerful werewolf, an alpha in the making, while Raven will never rise above the level of an omega. As sweet and naive as one is the other is not. They are two opposites forced to be brothers.

But brothers they are, and family comes even before the pack. Daven and Raven are the future of Northern Ridge, and as their generation takes their places as leaders of their kind, Daven is going to make sure the world knows they are ones to be feared.

"Darius," Storm hurried out of the bedroom. "Darius, please take him. I finally got Daven to sleep. Please just hold Raven for a bit."

He set his pen down on the desk and took Raven, who was all wrapped up in a blanket. "Come here." He waved his mate closer and kissed her. "Get some sleep. I'll stay up with this little guy."

She smiled. "I wonder what everyone would say if they saw this side of you."

"Let's keep it secret. It would ruin my image. Right, Raven?"

The boy squirmed in his arms and started to cry.

Storm tried to hush him. "Oh no."

"It's okay." Darius stood. "We'll go for a walk. Show the kid our territory."

"Stay in the cave," she said firmly.

"Come on, Storm. I'm not going to take a newborn hunting." He walked toward the door.

"Hmm..." She folded her arms.

"I love you," he said with a cheesy grin.

Her head fell to the side. "Just don't do anything stupid."

"Promise." He gave her a firm nod and wandered off down the hall.

The little pup curled into his chest. He was easy enough to tend. As long as he continued standing, as he found out the moment he tried to sit down.

"Where's grandma when you need her, right?" He nuzzled the boy. "Or even great-grandma. They always want to hold you when you're cute and just want to sleep." He stopped just inside the cave and peered out into the trees.

The night patrol nodded at him as they passed. One perk to having pups, he wouldn't be expected to do that anytime soon or ever again. He moved his chin so their fur brushed together. He never thought he'd love being a dad so much.

Raven let out a shaky breath before falling back asleep. He couldn't wait until the twins were older and running around. After that, they could stop growing. The teenage years already scared him. If they were anything like him and Titus, he was in trouble.

He peered down at his boy. "You're going to stay here with me, alright? No mates. You can stay my little boy forever. Sound good to you?"

Raven opened his eyes and let out a soft bark.

"That's my boy." He held the child close. "Daven can deal with all the mating stuff. But you, you just stay here where I can protect you."

Shuffled footsteps sounded behind him. He glanced back to see Aden trudging along with a blanket around his shoulder.

The sub glanced up. "Hey."

Darius nodded. "What's keeping you up, princess?"

Aden rolled his eyes. "My mom is visiting tomorrow."

Darius laughed. "Yes, she is." He propped the pup up. "You're going to be mauled all day. Thankfully there is two of you."

Aden sat down on a boulder and pulled his legs to his chest.

"What's beating you? Your mom visiting usually doesn't make you this depressed."

"It's everything," he breathed. "For the past three days, all I hear about is pups. I want a grandbaby, I want to be a dad. Look how cute Raven and Daven. I'm not ready, okay."

Darius nodded. "Then just tell them you don't want kids right now."

"That's the problem." He rubbed his arm. "I kind of do, but me as a parent..." he peered up at Darius. "I can't even take care of myself. My whole relationship with Titus is me making one stupid decision after another, and Titus having to save me. If something were to happen, I'd feel guilty for the rest of my life. I just," he tugged at his hair, "I don't know what to do."

"Tell Titus."

Aden bowed his head. "Tell him what. I've told him this a million times. It seems to only make him want children even more."

"Have you told him exactly what you just said?"

The sub shook his head. "No. But he doesn't listen," he exclaimed. "He says nothing that happened is my fault, but it is."

Their eyes met.

"I've hurt Titus so many times. I want to have a family with him, but I don't trust myself yet." He motioned to Raven. "I nearly panicked when they handed me Daven. I can't even hold a baby properly," he laughed, pushing his hair off his forehead. "And they expect me to raise one." His hands fell into his lap.

"Darius," called Storm. She stumbled through the cave with a crying Daven in her arms. "Please. I can't do this anymore. I can't even think straight."

"Well, Aden it's time you practice." Darius handed over Raven as his mate gave him his eldest son. He hugged her. "Get some sleep. I'll stay up with the boys tonight."

"There are bottles in the fridge. Use the bottle warmer, pressed the big button. It chimes when it's done. Check it before giving it to them. Do not give it to them cold, or they will throw up. Alright? Diapers are right by the changing table."

"Diapers," scoffed Darius. "We're getting to be too civil with these boys."

"I'm too tired to clean up pee and poop all day. Change your sons and be sure to get it all." She held up a finger. "Anything else, ask me in the morning."

"Yes, Dear." He smiled at her. "Go to bed. You're going to fall asleep standing up."

She nodded and weaved along back toward their cave.

Aden was sitting frozen and staring wide-eyed. Raven started to squirm, and Darius could smell the fear coming off the sub.

"Prop him up by your shoulder. Werewolf pups like to cuddle."

Aden slowly did so and held the child awkwardly there.

"Come on, do it properly." Darius sat down and held out his arm. "Hand him here and then shift."

"Shift? Okay," breathed the sub. He passed the baby over and took off his shirt and loosened his sweatpants. He shifted and peered at the white werewolf.

"Alright, you can take him back now."

Aden carefully slid his hands around the child and place Raven on his chest. "Like this?"

Darius nodded. "You're doing good."

The sub let out a deep breath. "He's not making any noise."

"Raven is my snuggler. Daven just wants to move." Darius stood and started to sway.

Aden hugged the pup to him. "I'll hold him for you then." He tucked the boy in under his chin. "Just a bit longer, though."

***

Aden took a deep breath and walked into the bedroom. He tossed his clothes near the dresser. Titus was sitting at the desk on the computer. He walked over to his mate and pulled up another chair.

"Can we talk?"

Titus kept his eyes on the screen and tapped his finger on the desk. "I already know you don't want a pup."

"Right now," added Aden. "It's just right now. I'm nineteen, Titus." His eyes started to burn. "I know you're older and ready, but I'm nineteen. I'm not ready. Someone like me, raising a baby. I can't do it." He fell forward and pressed his palms to his eyes.

"Aden," breathed Titus. He took his mate in his arms and hugged him tightly.

"I want a family with you." The sub roughly cleared his eyes. "I do. I want a kid. But I'm scared. You'll be a great father, but I'm the sub." He peered into his husband's eyes. "I'm the dad. I'm expected to take on the 'mother' role. I don't know if I can do it. But I'm going to try, I'm going to try and learn how to, and I'm sorry I'm making you wait. I wish I could say, yeah let's do it, but I can't. I just can't."

Titus ran his thumb across the boy's cheek. "Why didn't you tell me? You made it sound like you never want one."

The sub shook his head. "I do. I really do. Just let me get use to it. I'm an only child. None of my relatives live close by. All of this baby stuff is new to me. I need to be around Raven and Daven more, so I can figure out how the hell I'm suppose to do this."

The black werewolf cupped his mate's cheeks. "I am not going to leave you to raise our child alone. I'm sure your mother is planning on living with us for a few weeks when we do have a pup. But I'm not going to pressure you about this anymore. Well, I'm going to try not to." He swallowed hard. "I'm really ready to be a father. I'm ready to have a pup with you, but I keep forgetting you are nineteen." He smiled. "I bet you're starting to regret marrying an old geezer."

Aden smiled back. "It's only five and half years, right?" He kissed his mate. "Until then, we should enjoy not having to stay up all night with a crying baby."

Titus chuckled. "Is that what Darius is up to right now?"

The sub nodded and climbed onto his mate's lap. "I held Raven for a while." He peered into the werewolf's eyes. "Would you be upset if our pup was an omega?"

"Never, because every day I get to see your beauty in them."

Biting his lip, Aden's face blared red. "You're so cheesy."

"You set it up pretty good," laughed the dominant. He rubbed his thumb across the sub's thigh. "You kind of in a compromising position right now."

With a grin, the white werewolf draped his arms over his husband's shoulders. "My mother's coming tomorrow. I need a good stress release."

***

Darius had to smile as he watched Karen hurry up the path. Aden was already bracing himself.

"There you are, sweetheart." She held open her arms. "Come here, come here."

"Hi, Mom." Aden hugged her. "How was the trip?"

She held her son out in front of her. "Titus and I had a good chat during the drive."

Sucking in his lips, the sub bowed his head.

"We will wait until at least next year before bringing up kids. I mean if you have one now how are we going to beat teen pregnancy," she teased.

Aden groaned. "Mom, please."

"I love you, sweetheart. You know that, and I'm sorry for pressuring you to the point that you felt you were disappointing us. Your father and I couldn't be prouder. I always knew we raised you right." She looped arms with her son. "Now show me where these adorable twins are."

Darius laughed softly at the pair. It was better, but he didn't think Aden was completely happy with the new arrangement. Quint marched up the path with the bags.

"Need any help."

The human dropped a bag at the werewolf's feet. "Where's my son and Titus? They should be the ones helping me."

"Titus has hunting duty, and your wife wasn't going to wait to see the pups."

Quint sighed. "All I hear nowadays is pups this and that. Everyone keeps thinking my wife wants a million dogs, if only they knew the truth."

Darius nodded. "Yeah, best to let them keep thinking she just a dog person."

"Well," he took a deep breath, "same room as always."

"Yep." Darius grabbed the bag and carried it back to where the two humans would be staying.

They walked together to Darius room. Karen was already fawning over Daven. Raven was sleeping in his great-grandma's arm. They were leaving tomorrow morning, and she had come by early that morning to get in some 'great-grandbaby time.'

"Would you look at that." Quint went to sit by his wife. "They are pretty cute. I've never seen one so little."

"Take a look at Raven," she motioned to the white pup. "He's just this petite little thing."

Darius slipped around the edge of the room to the bedroom. He parted the curtain slightly to see his mate completely out. He tiptoes inside and laid a blanket over her.

Storm stirred. "Are the boys okay?"

"Their grandmothers are spoiling them rotten." He kissed her cheek. "Sleep, we can handle the little monsters."

"Be nice," she said with a yawn. "Those are my little monsters."

He adjusted the blankets over her and left the room. Darius watched from the sidelines. Spoiled rotten, those boys were never put down. The next alpha sighed. It was going to be a long night of pacing the hallways.