Page 11 of Saving Stella
But it wasn’t just the headline that caught her eye, but also the grainy photo of a young boy in a striped shirt—holding two bundles.
She didn’t even need to read the lede aloud to know the implication, but she scanned through it to make sure. “A toddler was found unattended at Union Station early Monday morning, holding two infants, twin girls of approximately four to five months of age.”
Two bundles.
Twin girls.
“Stella?” Momma’s hand gripped her shoulder. “Please … say something.”
Blood rushed to her head, making her dizzy. Releasing the breath she’d been holding, she said, “I … we have a sister?”
“Yes,” Devon said. “And before you ask, I don’t know where she is. Or what happened to our parents. We’ve been searching for them and for your twin. We don’t know why we were split up. But we’re doing our best to find out what happened.” After a pause, he said, “There is one last matter I need to discuss, if only for your safety.
She was starting to feel dizzy again. “And what’s that?”
“Your being a Supernatural—you’ve never shifted before, right?”
“No.” Though she thought about telling him about her “imaginary friend,” she bit her tongue, keeping that to herself for now. “Do you know why or how you … you …”
“Shifted?” he completed. “Not exactly. I was under a lot of emotional turmoil at the time, that could have been a factor. Or maybe it was just long overdue. From what I learned, Lycans are supposed to start shifting around puberty.” His expression turned serious. “Stella, I know this is a lot—finding out you have a brother, a sister, and that you’re also a Supernatural—but you might need some help.”
“You mean, in case I turn into … in case I change accidentally too?” She had seen the video of him changing into a wolf. Could that happen to her?
“Exactly.”
“We’ll deal with it if that happens,” Papa said. “You can stay here for a while, Stella.”
“We can take care of you,” Momma added.
“Thank you.” She smiled at her parents gratefully. She truly did win the lottery of life, having been raised by such amazing people.
“Lycans have a lot of rules in place,” Devon began. “I’m still learning them myself. But, the New York Alpha—my Alpha, since I’ve pledged to them—has offered to help you in any way he can.” He glanced at Mr. Owens. “You can reach him anytime through Mr. Owens, even if you don’t want to continue contact with me.”
“Not continue contact with you?” What was he saying?
“I meant what I said.” He smiled at her parents. “Reverend, ma’am, I’m so very grateful that you were able to give Stella a wonderful and loving home. The last thing I want to do is intrude into your lives. I’ll be content for the rest of my life knowing she’s happy and cared for. I’ve said my piece, and I’ll leave the decision to you, Stella.”
“What do you want?” she asked him.
Without hesitation, he said, “I’d very much like to get to know you better.”
The sincerity in his voice and his face made her chest go all warm. “I … me too.”
The grin on his face lit up the room, making him look even more handsome. “I’m still technically on tour, but maybe we can keep in touch?”
“I’d like that.”
“Great. Give me your phone. I’ll put my number in and you can text or call anytime.”
She did as he asked, and when he handed her cell back, she managed to look up into his sky-blue eyes—eyes that looked familiar because she realized they were so much like her own.
“I’m so sorry, but I have to run. I have to get back to my tour,” he said. “But it was wonderful meeting you, Stella. No pressure at all, but I hope to hear from you. Reverend, Mrs. Lennon, thank you again, and it was a pleasure meeting you. We can see ourselves out.”
“My, he was a pleasant young man,” Momma remarked as soon as the two men left. “Are you going to call him?”
Stella couldn’t answer her. But later that evening, she found herself in her childhood bedroom, staring at the screen of her phone as she tried to write her first text to her newly-found brother.
Anxiety crept into her chest, and she put the phone back on her nightstand. This was all too much; everything was moving too fast.