bloodlines.

Kelsie Woods | 32 | werewolf Alpha of the Armstrong Pack mommy to be

[kelsiewoods]

astridofthemoon‌:

Life as a drifter had more or less given Astrid tunnel vision. She didn’t care much about the goings on in the world around her. If things got too messy, she packed up and moved along to the next place to start it all over again. Her brain had been hard wired to care only about herself and her own well being after so many years on her own, so becoming a member of a pack had been something like a culture shock. There was a learning curve that she kept falling just to the outside of. Some of it had been innate like the bond between her and her alpha. The camaraderie between her and her other pack members, however, had been slow going. 

But this stuff with James felt urgent and she knew there was a lot more to the story than she’d gotten out of him. And while she knew it was not her business to meddle in, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her alpha might be in trouble. So, without allowing herself to question it too much, she set off to find Kelsie herself. 

She hadn’t been hard to track down and something quieted a little of the turmoil inside once she had eyes on her. She ignored that initial response to run from that feeling and squared her shoulders. “Did you know zombies like ice cream?” she asked by way of a greeting.

@kelsiewoods

It felt like everything in her life had been changing. James was back, motherhood was rapidly approaching, and her entire outlook on the world was shifting.  Kelsie certainly didn’t know how to think about it.  There were so many different things happening that keeping it all straight in her mind was hard.

That was how she realized she hadn’t talked to Astrid about James until the woman spoke.  It took a few moments of Kelsie’s confusion before she got what she was talking about.  “I don’t think they discriminate,” she replied with a light chuckle.

Pausing, Kelsie hooked a lock of hair behind her ear, a small smile on her lips.  “I take it you ran into James?”

[kelsiewoods]

erinbarlowxx‌:

Having a Sunday off was rare in and of itself, but having the morning to herself? It had been so long, Erin hadn’t even been sure what to do with herself. Despite not setting her typical morning alarms, she had woken up at 6am and found herself unable to fall back asleep. Resigning herself to that fate, she started her day like always. Unused to having nowhere to be immediately, she had run out of things to do within a few hours. So, she went to the park.

A few clouds in the sky threatened rain, but after an hour outside Erin was beginning to doubt it. Laying out in the sun had grown boring quickly, and she dug around in her bag for the toys she brought for Walter. In true Erin fashion, however, the minute she flung the frisbee for Walter to chase after, the object veered and nearly hit someone. She barely had time to shout “Look out!” before she was chasing after it, an apology already on her lips. 

The doctors told her it was important to keep exercising even as she got closer to her due date.  So, a walk in the park seemed like an easy way to do it.  She was going to be meeting James in a little while, but for now she just wanted to enjoy the fresh air.  It felt good...her whole world felt brighter now that he was back in it.

However, the sound of a voice pulled Kelsie from her thoughts and she stopped, turning just to see the frisbee zoom past her.  She chuckled.  “Oh it’s fine.  I am a bit of a target now,” she said, implying the size of her baby bump would make her easier to hit.  “No harm no foul.”

[kelsiewoods]

@eilis-rhiannon

With her nesting instincts in full swing, Kelsie was beginning to realize exactly how close to having her baby she was getting.  May 25th was the due date, but her doctor had repeatedly reminded her it could happen at any point in the few weeks leading up to that too.  Basically, she had a month.  She had a month to finish getting a nursery ready and figure out everything she needed to with James.  They still had to find a house so they weren’t living with his mother forever.  There was a lot to do.

So calling Eilis and getting some help from someone who had been through motherhood once already seemed like a good idea.  As they stood in the baby section of the store, Kelsie sighed.  “How many onesies does one baby need?  And how do you really pick sizes when babies grow so quickly, and might not even be the right size when they’re born?”

[kelsiewoods]

x-elizabethcastillo‌:

Of course with the mentality of ‘I’m going right in and I’ll be right out’ Elizabeth didn’t grab herself a cart. At least she thought she didn’t need too. Grabbing two different cereal boxes, paper towels, and a bag of twix rounded the corner making her way to the register with barely any sight in front of her. “You’re almost there, you can do this with your eyes closed, trust yourself” her voice was low enough just for her to hear. Giving herself a pep talk always seemed like a good idea no matter what the situation.

It was not long before she ran into someone and her stuff went flying everywhere. Her ‘Lucky Charms’ and ‘Cocoa Puffs’ slid further than she had anticipated whilst her paper towels and twix were resting on the ground nearby. “Ugh, good job you imbecile” she moaned before standing up completely straight. “I meant me…I was telling myself good job which I also called myself an imbecile..not you..” her eyes examined the woman as she babbled on making her way to her stomach then back to her face. “I am so sorry!” she added as she quickly began picking up her belongings. “I thought I was going to be right out and didn’t need a cart but clearly I should have gotten one especially since I couldn’t see” her voice was rushed and she didn’t mean to babble on however, it was the only thing she could do from her embarrassment.

Kelsie felt terrible when the woman’s things went flying.  “Oh I get it I’m really sorry.  I should have been paying more attention,” she told her before moving towards her to try and help picking things up.  “If you want to share my cart for a bit you’re welcome to,” Kelsie told her with a reassuring smile.  “I’m pretty sure we can tell what’s yours and what’s mine.”  After all, most of the items in her cart were very clearly for her baby.  “I swear this whole pregnancy brain thing is a real issue.”

She didn’t mean to get in the way or cause any problems.  She felt terrible for bumping into her.  “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” she asked cautiously.

[kelsiewoods]

With James’ return, Kelsie suddenly felt bursting with energy.  Her baby was due in May.  She was running out of time to get things together.  James was spending every evening on Zillow trying to find their dream house while Kelsie had started setting up the nursery in the guest room, having moved into James’ old room with him.

She was on the phone with Dianna while shopping for a few things for the baby.  She’d moved away from the baby department, a cart full of some of the necessities.  “I know, Dianna, I’ll be home in an hour and I’ll start dinner.”  It was the least she could do to pull her weight around the house, but as she rounded the corner, she bumped her cart into someone.  “Oh gosh, gotta go.”  She hung up the phone and looked over at the person she’d bumped.  “Sorry,” she replied, a sheepish smile spreading across her features.  “I guess this is what they mean when they go on about distracted driving.”

[kelsiewoods]

alisonhashart‌:

Alison laughed, a little breathless as she struggled to process and function simultaneously. “Okay, yeah, I can see that. I’d probably be a smotherer too.” It was somehow easier to focus on the struggles of his return. It was more complicated, a little grittier- gray, where there had only been black and white. Though her situation was entirely different, she did know what it felt like to have a plan, faith in the way your world looked, and then to wake up one day to something else entirely had taken its place. It was jarring and terrifying and she swallowed. “He’s just as lucky to have you as you are to have him.” Kelsie was a true north. James would be okay even if the road to recovery was filled with bumps and potholes.

She decided to take a turn back to easier conversation and a slow smile spread across her face as she looked pointedly towards Kelsie’s swollen belly. “So does that mean you’re going to want to find out the sex of the baby?”

Kelsie couldn’t stop smiling.  She felt over the moon, like she had to share her unadulterated joy with everyone.  This was a miracle.  It would have been better if it never happened, but James was back.  He was safe.  They could still be a family.  “Yeah,” she murmured.  “I always feel like I need to be touching him...to make sure he’s still there.”  Sometimes she felt like he could just disappear again and Kelsie couldn’t let that happen.  James was alive and she refused to lose him again.

However, Alison’s question refocused her on the most important thing.  Her hand moved to her belly and she half laughed.  “Probably,” she told her.  “I’ll have to talk to James and see if he wants to find out before the baby is born.  I mean...we’re getting close so it’s not that much longer we’d have to wait.  It might be really fun to know though.”

[kelsiewoods]

@goodsign-adam

With everything that had happened in the last few weeks, Kelsie’s mind was going in every direction.  She’d been so busy with James’ return and her nesting instincts finally kicking into high gear, Kelsie had unfortunately let her friendships fall by the wayside.  That was really unfortunate as she did really love spending time with her friends.  Adam had been a saving grace during her time dealing with her grief over James.  Without him she knew she might have fallen apart.

So, she reached out for coffee plans. It was Saturday and her day off work.  Kelsie had stopped by the store to pick up a few things for Baby Armstrong before meeting with Adam for coffee.  Her shopping bag sat at the side of her chair while she sipped on her decaf coffee.  When he came in, she smiled.  

“Hey, I’m really glad you could make it,” she told him.  “I feel really terrible that I just sort of....vanished on you without much explanation.”

[kelsiewoods]

armstrong-james‌:

James’ gaze shifted towards something more apologetic. He knew she deserved answers and more– he wished more than anything he could give her the closure, the certainty, and healing that she probably needed. That they both needed. Because in all honestly, James only knew what he had been told. The Hamlin Group, from his intimate experience, was not known for its transparency. Who was to say the information he was fed was even the entire truth? He held Kelsie’s hands in his and smiled softly, grateful for her understanding. This was how she was his other half– the steadiness, the trust. James had grown up skeptical, paranoid, questioning everything. But Kelsie was the one constant, the only person who could ground him. Even now, when so much had been unknown and at stake, she remained faithful in her trusting him. He felt a gratitude that words alone could not express.

“Thanks,” he breathed as they moved to a seat. He noticed how his gaze kept flicking from her swollen belly back up to her face. He missed her bright eyes, her warm smile. But he was also so distracted by their child growing in her. Her body had changed so much in the past several months. She, of course, was still his Kelsie. She was still as beautiful as ever. It was a change he hadn’t even envisioned before returning home, though. He swallowed thickly and nodded. “Yeah, where to begin…” he said with a soft, awkward chuckle. He exhaled. He leaned forward and rubbed his eyes, trying to focus his mind back on the questions he held the past several months.

“Well, let’s start with the pack,” he decided, sitting back up and instinctively taking her hand. The time apart and uncertainty of ever seeing each other again made him want to be physically close to her. Simply sitting side-by-side was not enough. His fingers interlaced with hers as he spoke. “Who is the alpha? What happened after that night? When I was attacked, I lost my bond with the pack. I think it was almost like an instantaneous shift into being human and cutting off my pack telepathy was…the first thing to go,” he said with a shrug. “Who is in the pack anymore? Was Nick okay?”

Kelsie was grateful.  Every time he touched her she was grateful he was sitting beside her.  He was alive.  He was breathing.  Their baby wouldn’t grow up without a father.  He was still real.  He was still there.  She couldn’t feel anything but grateful that she had been given a second chance with him.  She had a chance to finally have the life she had always wanted.  They could do it right this time.  This time he would stay.  Nothing was going to pull them apart.  Kelsie was certain of that.

He laced his fingers with hers and she gripped them tightly.  She glanced down at their joined hands, her engagement ring still resting on her finger as it had since the day he placed it there all those months ago.  They had another chance and Kelsie refused to mess it up.

However, his questions just reminded her of how much she had messed up.  If she hadn’t left to get help, he wouldn’t have been taken.  Those months wouldn’t have been spent separated and questioning everything about their lives.  She should have expected he’d ask them, but she still wasn’t ready for them.

Kelsie took a deep breath to calm her racing heart as anxiety formed in the pit of her stomach.  Would he be proud?  Upset?  How would he handle this?  “The day you were taken,” Kelsie started after a few moments of silent thought, “I found you in the alley.  It was just moments after I felt the bond break.  He...he was standing over you.  I....I’d bought a gun for protection on full moons...just in case.  He came at me and I shot him,” Kelsie explained.  “He was dead...so I went to you....you were barely breathing.  I told you I’d be right back....I went to get help, but you were gone when I returned.  You both were.”  She sniffled then, suddenly realizing her eyes had filled with tears.  “I, uh, didn’t realize what that meant until later.  Nick had to explain it to me...but, um, I’m the alpha now.”

She lifted her gaze to meet his and prayed she would see pride there, anything to show her she wasn’t messing up.  this was important.  The pack was important.  “The pack hasn’t lost members...but I...I got Astrid to join.  It’s just been hard...there’s a learning curve but the whole pack had been grieving.  Nick is okay.  He’s still a beta.  He’s been running full moons with your mom for me since I can’t, you know, shift.”

[kelsiewoods]

eilis-rhiannon‌:

Eilis knew it seemed on asking this of the woman since they’ve barely talked in the past. However, she was sincerely concerned and to see a new mother needing help, Eilis couldn’t help herself. Keeping most things to herself of course of her past, but exposing just enough to let her feel comfortable.

Eilis still has a hard time thinking back to Eamon and what became of him, she doesn’t talk about it with anyone and she doesn’t know if she ever will. She isn’t even sure how to tell Willow and being that she doesn’t know what actually happened to him makes it harder. “You’re not imposing, trust me. You might actually be a help, coming over.” Eilis began walking with Willow, making sure Kelsie was following.

Kelsie was a little concerned about this, but she also doubted the woman was any sort of threat, especially when she herself had a young child that would also be there.  It was a little weird, but it was still something she could deal with.  

In some ways Kelsie felt boxed in, like she had to accept this help and just...do what was asked.  Especially when Eilis looked over at her.  She got up and recentered herself, her hand on her belly before she started walking.  So much for going right home.  “I don’t know how having someone randomly come to your house is helpful.”

[kelsiewoods]

novathompson‌:

The face of pure innocence couldn’t have been more obvious as Nova offered a shrug at Kelsie’s words because she didn’t actually know how to respond to something like that. If it’s with someone your age, she didn’t seen the harm in getting caught but much older? Maybe. “O-Oh, I’m sorry. I-I should have, uhm… I should have tried t-to be more specific. But, uh… I actually knocked the door since the p-professors office hours were still going on and normally we just go in and uh… you know… there they were all up on the teachers desk just…” Nova pulled a face of disgust as she motioned a hand in random directions as if she was trying to simulate the act being discussed. “D-Dunno if that’s gonna happen though since… uhm… I t-think they have to do thorough investigations and.. yeah.”

It wasn’t that Kelsie couldn’t believe this happened, she could.  What she couldn’t believe was that the professor in question was so reckless as to do this during office hours with the door unlocked.  After all, Kelsie had been propositioned during college.  It wasn’t unheard of.  It happened.  She hated that it did, and she never relented, but things happened.  It was messed up.

“Either way, that’s really screwed up.  I’m sorry you had to see that.  Seems like you need to get your mind off it somehow.”

[kelsiewoods]

alekimala‌:

Aleki had only been in Shadow Falls for twenty-five days, and in the short amount of time, he believes to have found a few places for him to keep his truck and sleep where he wouldn’t get that much in trouble. If he was alone, not in the city, he would open up the cover in his truck’s bed and sleep on the mattress, but at the diner, he had to sleep in the cab. Maybe it wasn’t worth it, Shadow Falls seemed like a great town, and maybe it was finally time to settle down, it would be easier as an undeclared supernatural to stay in one place, than to go around and turn on full moons, not knowing the area.  But until he started searching, tonight was the diner and waking up, he started to search on his phone, listening to some music as he looked for something to do today, that’s when he heard the voice. With his windows already down, the other could see the passenger seat, packed with a bunch of stuff, his only possessions. “ You got me,” Aleki teased, his New Zealand accent thick, “ Agent Mala,” Laughing softly, he shook his head, “ Uh…no, I travel…well, traveled, a lot…live in the truck mostly…but I’m thinking of staying around for a bit, maybe get an actual place…you know of anything?” 

She could smell the wolf on him and upon seeing the inside of the truck, the pieces fell into place quickly.  It was only a few short years ago that Kelsie herself was a newly turned wolf on the run, hiding her true nature and living out of her car.  Then James found her and brought her into the pack.  Now she was running that very same pack, not that she could admit it quite yet.  Not in her vulnerable state.

“I heard there were a few apartments for rent in the building by the post office,” Kelsie told him.  “I used to live there, actually.  It’s not a bad place.”  She’d moved out in January to move in with her future mother in law.  Now that James was back, they were both staying in his mother’s house.  It was a lot but it worked.  “But I get it...I did the whole move around and live out of my car thing once.  It’s not a whole lot of fun if I’m being honest.”

[kelsiewoods]

marcolatz‌:

The first place his eyes ventured to were the swollen belly. His mind immediately went back to a certain werewolf he’d met in the facility - no, more than just ‘met’. But he recalled their various conversations, and one main staple had been about this chick with his baby on the way. He idly wondered if– hell, did it even really matter? James was a pretty determined fucker, he’d make shit work if he really meant to. Why did he even care? Ugh. Blinking back up to her actual face, he coughed awkwardly and nodded. 

“Yep, just blew in a couple days ago. And I gotta say, I thought it’d be easier to find my way around pretty quick but, seems like I’m failing already,” Maybe it was the disorientation of actually being on the outside again. It wasn’t like he had been put away for decades, but damn did it feel tantamount to it. Even walking the streets felt oddly… surreal. Like this wasn’t actually reality, but a dream meant to keep his sanity in tact. “A diner huh?” He huffed out a light chuckle, “I do like a girl who can chow down. But, guess it makes sense since you’re feeding for two. Sounds like that’s the place I wanna go,”

By now Kelsie was used to people staring at her belly.  Her hand rested protectively against it while she felt her child squirm and kick.  It was nice, reassuring that her baby was there and appreciated her even when Kelsie’s mind was completely elsewhere.  Despite all her conflicted emotions throughout her pregnancy, Kelsie was very protective of her child.

A half chuckle fell from her lips when he explained.  He was new in town and that should have made her nervous, but he was human.  Unless he was a hunter he wouldn’t be a problem for her or the pack, and right now she passed off as human better than ever.  “Trust me you’ll get used to it.  I moved here a few years back and had the muscle memory to find places within a few weeks.  You’ll get it in no time.”  She nodded, a smile forming on her lips.  “Yep, a diner.  It’s great for that quick and greasy stuff.  You’re right though....the pregnancy cravings have been pretty nuts.  Now I need a burger and onion rings, so thanks for that,” she teased.

[kelsiewoods]

@alekimala

Although Kelsie had been the local alpha for months, it was a secret the pack kept close to the rest.  Her current condition prevented her from shifting and left her in a vulnerable state.  Maybe that was why Kelsie was nervous upon hearing that there was a new wolf in town.  How new they were was something she didn’t know, but they were new to Shadow Falls and Kelsie knew she had a responsibility to check them out and make sure they seemed okay.

Dianna had been the first to let her know about the new wolf and Kelsie spent time discussing how best to approach the situation.  She figured being vague would be for the best, at least until she knew a little more about this new wolf.  She had caught sight of him initially on her way into work, but when his truck was still parked there after work her nerves started picking up.  Why was he still there?  Was he keeping track of her?  Did this have something to do with James and the whole Hamlin Group situation?

So, under the pretense of walking back to her car after her shift at the Hellmouth, Kelsie detoured past his truck.  He definitely was a wolf she wasn’t familiar with.  She could smell it on him and Kelsie wasn’t sure how she felt about it.  “Blink twice if you’re an undercover cop,” Kelsie said when she reached him.  “Because that seems like the only reason you’d still be lurking around here.”  She was joking though, curious to figure out his story and the reasons he was seeming to lurk in the same area of town.

[kelsiewoods]

novathompson‌:

Letting out a huff, Nova pushed her cell phone away from herself on the table as she leaned back in her chair, arms folded over her chest at the fact that she was caught in unnecessary drama over something she had never even intended to see. “I-I don’t see why… I don’t understand how p-people can get upset over something when, uhm… when you catch them d-doing something they know is wrong. Like… wh-who makes out with their p-professor yet doesn’t expect to get caught?” There was a pause as she sat up straight, “I’m the v-victim! My eyes were b-burning for hours.”

Kelsie looked over at Nova and smiled.  “Well, I would imagine that everyone who is making out with someone would like to think they wouldn’t get caught,” she told her.  “But you’re right.  This isn’t your fault.  They should have been more careful.  And that professor was bordering on unethical behavior,” she added on, her hand moving to her side as her baby kicked.  “Did you just walk in on them?  Was this at the professor’s office?  Was the door closed?  I feel like I’m missing a few details to truly have the whole picture, Nova, but I’m on your side clearly.  That professor should lose his job if they’re messing with students.”

[kelsiewoods]

eilis-rhiannon‌:

Eilis had no problem helping at all, she remembers what it was like when she was pregnant with Willow, due to the raid, she had almost nothing for when her little girl came, “We actually have to head home so I can start dinner for Willow, why don’t you come back with us?” Eilis smiled at Kelsie, gathering Willow’s backpack, “You don’t owe me anything.” Growing up in the safe house was still a huge part of her, helping people just for the sake of it.

Kelsie hesitated.  She barely knew Eilis on a personal level.  Since becoming alpha Kelsie had become more aware of where potential danger lurked.  She recognized her, sure.  She could tell she wasn’t truly a threat but still.... She was just someone she’d seen around town.  But she’d seen her plenty of times.  Already Kelsie could hear Dianna scolding her for reckless behavior, but there was nothing about this that seemed wrong.

“Oh, that’s a very kind offer,” Kelsie replied softly, a smile forming on her features.  “I really would hate to impose on you.  I’m sure you have some fun mother/daughter things planned, huh?”

[kelsiewoods]

armstrong-james‌:

He chuckled softly, eyes welling up again but with pride this time. His mother had taken care of Kelsie. James knew Dianna enough to know that simply by Kelsie accepting this help, she was in turn helping Dianna through this. His mother had been through so much the past several years, considering the disgraceful and tragic murder of his father, her husband. Then losing James, even if it was temporary, there was no way she would have known that. Dianna did right by both James and Kelsie by being there, by protecting James’ fiancee and unborn child. 

“I know, baby, I know,” he said, smiling. This was the one good thing about what happened to him: the money. The Hamlin Group would pay handsomely to keep him quiet, to keep their unethical practices a secret. That money, while not enough to cover the grief, the months lost, the legacy of James’ linneage, would be enough to provide for his family. He took both of Kelsie’s slender hands in his carefully. “But we don’t have to worry about money anymore. You don’t have to work, if you don’t want to. They’re paying me. They’re paying me a lot for this. If I do what they say, the money keeps coming. We can get a house. A new car. Two, even. Trust me, things will be different for us.”

His smile fell when she asked him what had happened. Where he was. He knew those questions would come, he had been prepped, he had ‘role-played’ scenarios with his case manager and the lawyers from the Hamlin Group. But looking into Kelsie’s eyes, holding her hands, and being asked for the truth? Nothing could have prepared him for that. And James froze for a moment. His breath was caught in his chest as he wasn’t prepared to lie to her or feed her the canned, unsatisfactory responses fed to him. He knew she wouldn’t believe him, either. He owed her the truth after what he put her through, but at what cost? The Group whisk him away? They suffer endless debt in lawsuits? A conglomerate with that power would find a way to take legal recourse and bury them. Maybe even take Kelsie from him. 

“They cured me,” he said stiffly, shaking his head softly. His expression melted into something more pleading. Begging her not to push, begging her to somehow read his mind and understand. He frowned. He didn’t want to keep secrets from her, and this was something that would haunt him for the rest of his life. “There’s…I don’t know what I can say,” he admitted, lowering his voice to a whisper. “I want to tell you, Kels. Believe me. But they can do things. I don’t want to lose you again. Just trust me. We have to take their money and we can start to forget about all of this.”

He held her hands and spoke about money, of a house, and cars.  In some ways it felt like things had never happened.  They had been talking about money and a house before.  Things were full circle.  How much were they paying him that she didn’t have to work?  Could she go back to school?  Maybe, but not with a newborn at home.  As wonderful as the thought was, she pushed it away quickly.  It wasn’t time to think about things like that.

But before she could question the money, the look in James’ eyes changed.  He looked terrified, desperate, like there were a million thoughts swirling behind his eyes.  She wanted to know.  She wanted to understand what he was saying, but the more he spoke the more the pieces clicked together.  Her right hand moved from his to cup the side of his face.  Whatever the truth was, he couldn’t tell her.  It hurt, but she understood.  He was protecting her.  He was protecting their baby.  He was ensuring their future.  Maybe someday they could find a way to be honest with each other, but for now Kelsie knew she had to be satisfied in the dark.  Prying would only make this worse.

Her thumb brushed against his cheek and she nodded once.  “I trust you,” Kelsie murmured.  “And I love you.  I know you didn’t do this to us....but I won’t ask anymore.  If it’s better that way, safer that way for our baby...I won’t ask.”  She leaned in then, tilting her head up just enough to kiss him.  No matter what he went through she would be there to support him and no matter how vague he had to be about the truth, Kelsie would believe him.  There were still so many questions swirling in the back of her mind.  Why?  How?  Who was the man she killed that day?  Why James of all people?  But Kelsie wouldn’t ask.  She would rather stay in the dark and have her family than have answers and lose it all again.

Breaking the kiss, she took a moment, resting her forehead against his before she spoke.  “Come sit with me,” she murmured.  Kelsie took his hand and led him over to the couch.  She knew he had to have just as many questions as she did, but unlike her questions, he could actually ask his.  He could have the answers she was denied.  Whatever the Hamlin Group had done and their motives for doing so would remain hidden away and Kelsie just had to accept that.   She eased herself down, hand on her belly and mindful of her always shifting center of gravity.  Once he was seated, Kelsie curled up next to him, needing to touch him for that reassurance he still existed.  He wasn’t a phantom hallucination that would disappear without warning.

“I’m okay with putting my faith in you,” she told him.  “That’s where it’s always belonged anyway...but at least one of us can have our answers.  I’m sure you have questions too,” she started, her hand moving to interlock with his.  It was an opening for him, but Kelsie would understand if he wasn’t ready to ask.  This whole situation was a lot for them to process.

[kelsiewoods]

alisonhashart‌:

Alison laughed. The question was obviously rhetorical, but she couldn’t help but answer anyway. “A really expensive form of self-torture?”  Her eyes drifted back to the menu, an internal debate over whether she wanted the turkey avocado sandwich or the grilled chicken salad. She might have been fully enraptured in the decision if it hadn’t been for something in Kelsie’s voice that drew her attention once more.

She was glad that she was already sitting down.

It took a full five seconds or so for the words to process and she balked. It was shameful, maybe, that her first thought was a selfish one. It wasn’t that she wanted Kelsie to know the pain she had to live with everyday, but finding someone that could understand, had made that debilitating, isolating feeling lessen even if just a little. She hated herself for even thinking it. If it had been Ben that had returned after believing him to be dead, she knew she’d be bursting at the seams with overwhelming relief and elation. She realized that she still hadn’t said anything and blinked, shaking her head. “That’s– I just.. wow! He’s alive. How do you even… I can’t even wrap my head around it.” The silver gleam of tears shone in her eyes as she smiled. “I’m so happy for you! You know you could have totally turned me down for lunch after something like that. How is he? Is he okay?”

There was a tiny piece of Kelsie that felt guilty for being happy.  She knew that she had bonded with Alison over their shared loss, but there was nothing that could be done about it now.  It was a miracle.  James had walked back into her life and it didn’t matter that he was human.  He was alive.  She loved him no matter what.  

“I figured it would be good to get out and see you.  If not I’d probably smother him,” she joked.  Kelsie had promised James she wouldn’t be gone too long, and it was good for him to have time to catch up with his mother.  “But he’s...adjusting.  He’s really happy to be back, but being human again...that’s really hard on him.  I mean...he was raised to always be the alpha someday.  Being a werewolf was such a huge piece of his identity.”  She shrugged.  “It’s going to take time, but he’s happy to be home.  He’s happy I’m okay, and the baby is okay.”