The thoughts spiraled so fast that her breath hitched. If something happened to them, if even one of her babies came back hurt or scared, she wasn't sure she could forgive herself. She loved them far too much, more than she ever expected to.
Every giggle, every tantrum, every bit of mischief, every small hand tugging at her dress, they had become precious to her in a way that made her chest ache.
She had promised herself she would protect them.
And now three were missing. Her fingers trembled as she clenched her skirt tighter.
"Dante, please.." she whispered, her voice barely a breath. "Please find them. Please bring them back safe."
For a moment Alina couldn't even breathe properly. Everything had happened so fast.
