Chapter 6 A Child, Left Behind

• Yvonne's POV:
• Six years later.
• Latveria, Virus Research Institute.
• Emerging from the lab, I was met by Linda, my assistant, who hurried up to me with an anxious expression. "Dr. Johnston, Professor Lofthouse is asking for you. He wants you in his office. "
• I had just endured a sleepless night, and the exhaustion still weighed heavily on me.
• Linda's message instantly cleared the fog from my mind. Such summons usually herald trouble, and I braced myself for another round of criticism, likely due to those two little mischief-makers.
• "Did he specify what it's about? It wouldn't happen to be more research results that my little devils have messed up, would it? "
• "Seems like it, " Linda said, her gaze laced with sympathy.
• "You haven't left the lab in three days. Dawn and Dusk have been so worried about you that they've been causing a ruckus in Professor Lofthouse's office. I've noticed a few more gray hairs on him lately. "
• I sighed, feeling both amusement and frustration.
• Six years ago, after severing my mate pact with Bryan and leaving the Shadow Pack, I had relocated abroad.
• I had once left college to marry Bryan and fulfill the role of a devoted wife.
• But upon arriving in Latveria, my plans to immerse myself in studies took an unexpected turn.
• I discovered I was pregnant. I had considered ending the pregnancy, but a surge of reluctance held me back.
• A faint voice echoed in my mind.
• "Yvonne, that's your child. They possess their own consciousness now. To abandon them would be unkind. "
• I was startled. "Who are you? "
• "Hello, Yvonne. I'm Anna, your wolf. I apologize for my late appearance; your potent magic bloodline delayed my manifestation … "
• "Anna! You're my wolf! I actually have a wolf! " My joy was palpable.
• I had long thought I would never have a wolf, that I was forever an outsider to the wolf clan. Anna, though weakened, offered gentle reassurance.
• "Yvonne, you possess powerful magic and a strong wolf lineage. You should take pride in this. It's a blessing from both Selene and the witch lineage. Your children inherit your and Bryan's remarkable traits … "
• "Listen to your children. They wish for you to keep them. "
• As Anna spoke, I felt a faint, desperate plea in my mind.
• Though I couldn't make out their exact words, I knew they were imploring me not to forsake them.
• The sensation was profound.
• Despite being only a month old, I could sense their emotions and their pleas, as if we were intimately connected.
• The depth of my love was overwhelming. How could I ever contemplate abandoning them? I resolved to care for them and raise them with all my heart.
• Upon making that decision, I felt a wave of joy—their joy.
• Anna explained that her late arrival was due to the clash between my two bloodlines, which required time to stabilize.
• Even though I left Bryan and the Shadow Pack with nothing, I now had my wolf and my children, forming a deep bond.
• I eventually gave birth to triplets—two boys and a girl. During delivery, I faced severe bleeding and was in grave danger.
• To save me, Anna had to fall into another deep slumber.
• My daughter, tragically, died from oxygen deprivation, leaving me with my two beloved sons, Dawn and Dusk.
• The loss of my daughter was a profound sorrow, but I had to stay strong for my sons. They needed me.
• As Anna had predicted, Dawn and Dusk displayed remarkable abilities from a young age.
• Dawn inherited my healing skills and, before turning five, could identify thousands of medicinal herbs, revealing an exceptional talent for medicine.
• Dusk, in contrast, had inherited the audacious nature of a werewolf and developed a keen interest in technology. He had become quite the young hacker, his skills growing by the day.
• The thought of my extraordinary children always brought a smile to my face.
• Yet, the prospect of facing the fallout from their misadventures was enough to deflate my mood.
• I made my way to Professor Hayden's office in a hurried pace.
• Upon entering, I found my two little rascals sprawled on the office sofa, their legs swinging rhythmically. As soon as they noticed me, they leaped from their seats and dashed over.
• "Mama, you're finally done with your work! " Dawn greeted. "We thought you might decide to live in the lab! "
• "Oh, Mama, you must be so tired. Sit down, and let us give you a back rub … " Dusk added, his tone full of concern.
• They guided me to the sofa, their little hands tugging gently.
• Settling down, I looked at their caring faces and felt a surge of warmth. All the trouble they caused seemed worth it in those moments.
• "Now you're all sweetness and light. Where was this attitude when you were hacking my computer? "
• Hayden glared at them with mock irritation.
• Dawn stood his ground, saying, "You're blaming us? It's your fault, always making Mama work overtime. Look at her, she's nearly starving! "
• "That's right. Mama's just human. How can you expect her to work day and night? "
• Dusk chimed in, beginning a soothing massage on my shoulders.
• Hayden chuckled despite himself, "Only you two would come to her defense. This institute is tough. Everyone endures it. "
• Shaking his head, he turned to me. "So, how's the research progressing? "
• I smiled. "It's going smoothly. I'll send the data to your computer soon. "
• Despite being away from the Shadow Pack for years, my focus had remained on finding an antidote for wolfsbane.
• Professor Hayden's research interests mirrored mine, so I had eagerly joined forces with him.
• As I felt Dusk's small hands on my shoulders, I asked Hayden, "Has the computer been fixed? "
• Hayden ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. "It's been an hour, and it's still not restored. "
• I laughed softly, patting Dusk's soft hand. "Go on, get the professor's computer back to normal. No more playing around. What if something important is lost? "
• Dusk responded with a serious tone, "Don't worry, Mama. I've backed everything up and set up extra security. There's no way anything's lost! "
• He moved to Hayden's side and began typing furiously.
• Within minutes, the computer screen blinked and returned to its previous state.
• Hayden sighed in relief, casting a grateful look at Dusk before turning to me.
• I quickly offered an apology. "Sorry, Professor. The kids have caused you more trouble. Please don't be angry with me. "
• And please, don't blame me for this! For the last time, I don't want to deal with their mess!
• Hayden laughed, "Don't worry, I'm not here to scold you. I actually have a task for you. I'm planning to establish a research institute back in my home country, focusing on the antidote for wolfsbane. Progress here has been slow, and the resources back home are much better for this research. "
• "I have too much to handle here and can't leave right now. So, I've decided to send you back. "
• The surprise hit me like a cold wave.
• Go back?
• Six years ago, after leaving that place, I had no intention of ever returning.
• The memories of family disdain and the person I loved's aversion were far from pleasant.
• Besides, I had grown attached to my life here.
• I instinctively started to refuse. "Professor, I … "