Preparation

Jessa spent the next days learning how to control her gifts. She studied and practiced hard and mastered fire quickly. She got water twice as quick. Air was harder and earth was kicking her butt. She finally managed to grow the flowers in her palm and then split the earth like Moira showed her by the end of the second week. It was incredible. She found she was a natural empath, a midwife, a water element, and could move things with her mind. She also learned she could control it all relatively easily. She hadn't exploded out of her clothing since the first week. Oh how embarrassing that was! Skyclad as Ivy called it was natural to a witch. 

Ivy was the one affected most by Jessa's scars. She wept for her. She vowed she'd exhaust every text and option to remove them from her. And when she retired to her room every evening, she did exactly that. She poured over texts and tomes. But nothing was found. There were ways to lighten, but not remove. But she wouldn't give up. Maybe if they kept lightening them, they wouldn't be so visible?

She spoke that night with Hazel. She was feeling off and uncomfortable. She was having pressure in her belly and a small amount of contractions. She was insistent that it was false labor but somehow Ivy didn't think so. Hazel's little one was raring to get into this world. She had just finished the potion to lighten Jess's scars when the knock came at the door. She rushed to it to find the Gamma Lloyd standing outside.

"Miss Ivy, Miss Moira and Future Luna sent me to get you, Miss Hazel's gone into labor." He stumbled out. His face turning red. She rather liked Lloyd. He was like a big clumsy kind of fella. Except she saw how he trained the warriors. He was anything but a teddy bear out there. He was fierce and worked the warriors hard. Jessa being a future Luna wasn't expected to know more than basics but she trained just as hard. She didn't use her gifts. Odd. But admirable. She took her lumps and falls just like everyone else. She demanded that no one take it easy on her. She and Moira decided they'd be joining in against Jessa's old pack. They despised those types of people. She knew there had to be some type of dark magicks there. They'd be needed. And truth be told she just wanted a good old fashioned fight. She was antsy.

But, fights aside, there was a new life about to enter the world and she was needed. The coven stood for their own. 

In Hazel's room Jessa, Moira, Vivian, Lisa the pack obgyn, Amelia and the Luna were gathered. Immediately she noted that the Luna was holding one of Hazel's arms, Amelia had the other and Moira and Jessa were chanting. She joined in while she watched Vivian use her own gift to ease the pain for Hazel. The doctor instructed Hazel to push and she did. With everything she had Hazel pushed, Ivy could tell that the baby was larger and wasn't coming forth, she pushed her energy into Hazel.

Hazel gave one more push and the baby's head was visible. Two more and the little boy laid blinking into the soft light of the world and let loose his first mighty cries. Ivy moved to wrap him in the blanket laid beside the bed in the basinet. He was certainly a strong little fellow. 

No one noticed the second basinet wheeled in by Roz until Hazel let out another cry and began to pant again. Her face sheened with sweat as she prepared to push again. Oh, this was bearable. But Vivian was taking on too much. She needed to make her stop. She couldn't withstand much more… she nudged Viv off, "It's enough, this won't be as hard. Go on, rest now." 

The doctor delivered the placenta from the first birth, immediately there was a large gush as the second amniotic sac broke open. Ivy couldn't believe it. There was another? What was going on? Did anyone know? 

Moments later they were looking into the eyes of a smaller girl. She was so calm and steady laying there. She fussed only slightly when her heel was pricked for blood, then she went right back to her complacent state. She was swaddled into a blanket and both babies were placed to Hazel's breasts. They began to feed, the boy suckling greedily and his sister in her easy going way. 

"Hazel? Did you know?" she asked her. 

"Only these last two weeks, Jessa showed me." She said admiring the two babes in her arms. They were opposites in every way but so perfectly hers. He had brown hair and a moss green gaze like hers, he would be a fighter, a go getter, and she was blonde with honey eyes. She reminded Hazel of their father. Not that she knew much of him. It was one of the rare times they were traveling. Going clan to clan, pack to pack offering help where needed. They were at a harvest party of some sort and she'd had a bit too much wine. She remembered his blonde hair and tawny eyes. Goddess he was so handsome. She woke the next morning and snuck out of his bed. They left that day and she hadn't known she was expecting until two months later when she realized she hadn't gotten her monthlies that month or before that. 

Still, she couldn't bring herself to go back and seek him out. It wasn't right or fair to drag him into fatherhood for a one night stand. She was certainly capable of taking care of herself and her babies. Best to keep him in her memories and be grateful she has two beautiful healthy reminders of their night together. 

The werekind clans were all coming together tonight to discuss the game plan for them when the battle came next week. How had time gone by so fast? Now that Alex and Anna had gained their wolves, they were itching to get into the fight too but they were being tasked to stay behind with Sabrina to guard the women and children in case the fight made it's way to their land. It was doubtful but it was best to be safe. All those left behind would be in the stronghold. Sabrina was amazed by the idea. She decided they'd have one on their land as well. They weren't the only clan of werelions in America but they also weren't as populous as the wolves, panthers or bears either. In truth, the werelions were more weremountain lion these days as their clans had long been breeding between. Their species were certainly close enough to do so and if not for it, they'd have died out altogether by now. The new breed seemed to be just as strong and capable as any other. Though, the mountain lions had a bit of a harder time adjusting to pride life when they joined. Necessity made their kind more solitary than unified, but times changed and things were progressing. Now they had so many mated pair and they couldn't get an accurate count on the cubs born. Her heart swelled with pride to see how well her kind were expanding these days. Carving a way and name for the werelions of all kind, whether African or mountain. That was the most important part of a tribe, a clan, a pride or pack. Unity. Today they stand in unity against an enemy that threatens more than just their own kind. 

Sabrina spotted the two young witches coming and going. It was said Jessa had powers. It was no wonder. Anyone could see the girl was gifted. They had only to open their own selves to feel it. David would be along shortly and they would head to the meeting house but for now she was fascinated by the two small women. She felt drawn to the redhead. Somewhere down the line she knew her. As she thought it Ivy looked up and spotted her. 

"Oh! Sabrina! I….I mean your grace! How are you? How's the hip? Is it better? If not it's no trouble to make up another batch of the salve." Ivy bounded over to her chattering excitedly. She hadn't known the werelions would be here! She wondered who else. 

"Ivy! I thought I recognized you but I was having a heck of a time figuring it out. You've certainly changed over the last year. Your hair is so long. Looks better than that hacked off style you had, no offense. And no, my hip is better than ever thanks to that miracle in a jar you made. David will be so excited to see you, but where is Hazel?"

"She's in the pack house, she just gave birth ma'am."

"She found her mate? That's wonderful."

"Ah, your grace, as witches we don't have mates per se, no, the father of her babies was a drunken one night fling. A scratched itch so to speak. She won't tell us who he was. Only that it was best to not burden him. Though how it could possibly be a burden is beyond me. Babies are the future and anyone who could bear a child should be immensely happy to have them." Moira spoke.

"I agree. You're so wise beyond your years child. Tell me, you're about what, 25? Have you given thought to this yourself?" 

"I have, but my right guy will come along when the time for him to do so comes. I can be patient for him. He'll be worth it."

"I too will wait. I can't say I'll be patient, and I might not be as chaste as my sister, I prefer to play around a little, but I remain careful. Hazel's babies will do until I have my own." Ivy said with a laugh.

"Wise girl. Don't settle for a life of boredom. Live, laugh, love, dance and do what you can while you can. Motherhood takes some of those things yes, but it brings so many more wonderful things too."

They chatted a moment longer and David texted her that he was at the meeting house waiting for her so she walked there with the two witches with every intention to stop by the packhouse on her way back and seeing Hazel and those two babies. Goddess she needed a baby fix and wasn't it handy there were two of them? Double the fix. 

When they entered the meeting room the area was crammed with alphas from the allied packs as well as the other werekind whose numbers had grown. She recognized Amun's brother Jack and his mate Leah. Amun must have told his brother about the upcoming battle. It was rare that Amun would fight without his brother so no real surprise there. They might've been twin alphas and unable to remain in a pack together but they were neighbors and still nearly inseparable. They divided the pack into east and west burrows and ran them much the same way so it was essentially two territories into one huge umbrella without the alpha's auras clashing. It really was genius. 

Jack waltzed over and gave Sabrina a loud smacking kiss on the cheek. "Brina, ma cher, you look as young as ever. Why I would mistake you for a mere sprig of a girl!" he said putting on his best Louisiana bayou voice. It was something not many knew, though they were in Maine now, the twins came from the bayous. But bears had been nearly eradicated from the swamps and so it was harder to hide their packs. They migrated north to the areas they could best hide when they were cubs. Luna Mae assisted their parents in securing a large piece of land in a rural area and helping to build their town. Now twenty years later and they're thriving. They run many businesses, but their biggest is in the harvesting and selling of elk meat and wild salmon. Bears and fish, who'd have seen THAT coming. 

Only a slight bit later war plans were being laid out. Everyone knew their places and their parts. They'd send in one of the two previously allied packs under the guise of a friendly visit. While inside the beta would take note of how many warriors stood guard. That would determine when team A and team B breached. The hope was that they'd slowly make the lines and ambush in one swift move. Then the rest would follow and begin securing the houses and buildings. Those who fought would be subdued if possible, those who didn't would be moved to a holding area. Women and children would be immediately rounded up and protected. Those that weren't fighting that was. Though Jessa said the women of the pack fought, she also said they weren't trained too much in more than basics. Should be easy enough.

The witches were coming up with a way to stop people from being forced to fight through alpha command. Jess doubted that Alpha Mark would do that, but if Kelly made him then she wasn't sure that he wouldn't follow her wishes like always. He was weak to her whims. 

Later on all the plans were laid and everything was set in motion, now all that was left to move in on it in two days. Until then the far away packs would all wait around the pack lands. There was a bonfire to be held tomorrow for all the packs to get acquainted with each other's scents to avoid any confusion of who is friend or foe. They'd end in a midnight run. Excitement was all around for one of the most largest parties ever heard of. They only hoped that word wouldn't spread to the enemy lines. They didn't need them getting suspicious.