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The house was dark when Illuga returned home, not that he expected anything else. It was much later than he normally returned. He’d be worried if anyone were still awake this late.
Navigating the house in the dark was harder than he liked but he’d rather risk stubbing his toe than waking the other members of the house. He gently removed his coat and hung it on its designated hook before kicking off his boots and leaving them next to Lohen’s by the door. He made slow careful steps though the living and as he turned to go down the hall to the bedroom he stopped dead in the tracks.
Two pairs of red glowing eyes stared back at him like predators peeking through the bushes at their prey. One would expect him to jump back, maybe even run in the other direction in fear of an intruder; Illuga, however, only smiled and sighed fondly.
“Girls, what are you two doing up?”
The pitter patter of bare feet against wood floors echoed in the empty hall as two matching faces came into view. The moonlight pouring through the window acted as enough light for Illuga to see his daughters. Both were in their loose night clothes, matching wolf stuffies clutched tightly in their arms.
“Papa didn’t come home on time.” The first little voice, Eira, said, her eyes, a perfect copy to Lohen’s, were oddly accusing.
Her sister, Kari, nodded along, “Momma was very worried.”
Illuga crouches down, holding out his hands for the girls to take. “I know, I’m sorry, where’s momma now?”
“Sleeping,” Eira answered, “he read us a book and then fell asleep. We stayed up to make sure you came home.”
“I’ll always come home, you know that.” Illuga pulled them closer into a hug, both of them purring now that they are reunited with their father.
Leaning back, Illuga should have guessed Lohen fell asleep earlier than normal. Eira’s gray hair with minty blue streaks was still bound in her braids, thankfully they only went half way down, leaving the rest the curl over each of her shoulders so they’re always easy to take out at the end of the day. Kari on the other hand had her gray and red hair out of her buns; she never liked having it up for too long, probably pulled them out herself when Lohen didn’t do it fast enough.
Illuga placed a kiss on each other's heads before standing, “alright, let’s get you two to bed.”
Kari clutched her father’s hand a little tighter. “Wanna sleep with you and momma.”
A demand more than a request, a trait she most definitely got from Lohen. Illuga found it difficult to say no to any of them, besides, the girls were always extra clingy after being away from him or Lohen for long periods.
The bedroom was lit by a single candle on the night stand. Lohen was laying in the middle of their nest, book open on his chest. The girls went straight to the bed, Kari pulling herself over the wall of blankets while Eira struggled a bit more. Illuga scooped her up and set her in the nest, keeping her a little closer to the edge so he could undo her braids. He combed it the best he could with his fingers, they’d have to spend extra time brushing it in the morning but that was fine, he’d always take any time he could spend with his girls.
After taking the book out of Lohen’s weak grip the girls snuggled up next to him, Lohen’s body instinctively clutching to them. Illuga left for a moment to change before slipping into the nest with his family.
Kari and Eira were already fast asleep, their little bodies left exhausted after staying awake too long. Lohen stirred a little when Illuga wrapped an arm around him, a small noise leaving him.
He turned slightly so as to not move the girls too much. “Birdie?”
“I’m here, bunny.” Illuga kissed his head.
Lohen only grumbled in response, “You’re late. You’re not allowed to be late.”
“I didn’t mean to, promise. A few of the newer recruits got lost on their way back from patrol and I had to help with the search party.”
“Let them get lost next time, it’ll teach them a lesson.” Lohen yawned before rolling back over and holding his pups closer.
Illuga laughed, pressing one last kiss to Lohen’s head. One hand slid to Lohen’s belly, a small bump had already begun to form, their next pup growing inside. His poor mate was left so exhausted with this pregnancy, even when he was carrying the twins he had more energy at this stage than he did this time around. Perhaps having to chase the twins around had played a part in it, he’d need to take over the child rearing more so his mate can rest.
He hoped the girls would take well to a new baby. He knew Lohen was worried having a younger sibling would upset them, they were so attached to their parents, always clinging to their sides when others were around. How would they handle a new baby that would take up so much of Illuga’s and Lohen’s time?
Illuga hoped it may give them more opportunities to become a tad more independent. He was far from ready for them to be fully self-sufficient, they were only three after all, but their circle was so small. Outside of their parents, they had their uncles Flins and Varka and their favorite grandfather Nikita of course but they practically refused to speak to anyone else.
It didn’t help that most people thought the twins were odd. Strange little copies of the same baby that never went far without the other. They carried the same pricing stare as Lohen but while Lohen used it to intimidate those around him the girls had yet to even learn to control it.
Creep twins.
One of his own men had called them that. It was meant as some sick joke. He didn’t take it that way. Illuga almost fought him on the spot. Nikita had to drag him away before anything could happen. He remembers holding Lohen that night after putting the girls to bed. He was sobbing uncontrollably, fully convinced it was his fault that his precious girls were never going to get to have a normal life. Illuga still isn’t sure Lohen ever got past that day.
It didn’t matter though. His pups could have the same violent tendencies as their mother and Illuga would love them all the same and right now all he cared about was the gentle warmth of their nest as his family was safe and sound in his arms.