Page 45 of Rustic Beauty

“No! Daddy! Eli! Save me!” The peels of laughter warm my soul, especially when Leo’s nickname for his brother sounds like Ellie instead of E-lie. A second set of footsteps sound off before Elias is standing at the edge of the room, his hands on his hips.

“What are you doing to Leo, Daddy?”

“Seems that I have to cut off some toes, Elias.” I can’t help playing with my sons. They’re so easy to fluster. Elias’ eyes grow wide as he scrambles up my leg, trying and failing to get me to release Leo.

“No! Give his toes back!”

I burst out laughing as I set Leo back on his feet, both of them quickly counting for all ten toes. It takes them a few tries as they try to remember how to count to ten, stumbling over 8 and 9. Seconds later, they’re attached to each of my legs, thanking me for not stealing Leo’s digits. I merely shake my head and run my fingers through their curls, playing a little before waddling to the kitchen. Their death grips on my pants won’t loosen unless I find a snack. I should check on Nala anyway.

She’s sitting in the living room, hanging off the back of the couch with a large smile plastered on her face. Nala has grown into herself the same way I have, falling in love with the woman she’s destined to be. It’s helped that all four of her mates have supported her through thick and thin, nightmares and all. She’s never opened up to us about what happened at school but knowing that she’s safe and taken care of, I don’t mind.

“Hey…” Nala drawls, giggling at her nephew’s antics. “I guess it’s s-n-a-c-k time, yeah?” That worked when the boys were three so it’s only a few seconds before Elias and then Leo work out what she said. There’s little screams as they tear off into the kitchen, reaching for the fridge handle.

They chant ‘cheese’ repeatedly as Nala joins me to help them out. She opens the fridge and pulls out the bag, handing them each one before taking one for herself.

“Wanna tell me why you’re hanging out here?” I ask. I have no problems with my sister-in-law over here. However, I know that her nest is her safe space—one that took her nearly a month to truly fall in love with. I also know that she has the same shift as Ren at the local elementary school.

While Ren works as a counselor, Nala aids the preschool and kindergarten classes. They both excel at their work, coming home with wild stories of terrible children and ones they want to snuggle to death. However, Nala is here. On my couch. Rather than in the classroom.

“Just bored, I guess. Classes let out early.”

I can see she’s lying and I know why. Her pack—the entirety of the POCA task force—had a last-minute mission. As much as Nala loves working with and aiding their investigations, she isn’t an officer. Her safety is all of our priority so they left her here, promising to return within three days. I remember a time similar to that and I can’t imagine what she’s going through especially since she’s fully bonded.

A bunch of crackling paper mixed in with grunts distracts me as Elias and Leo try and fail to open the cheese sticks they were given. Two smashed pieces of cheese are thrust at me, their puppy dog eyes pleading with me to help. I do so and hand them back, a wide smile taking over my face as they stare at the cheese for several minutes.

And then they cross their arms and feed each other like a lover’s shot. It’s odd as hell but so fucking cute when they do it.

I stare for a few minutes before turning my attention back to Nala. “You miss them, don’t you?” I offer as I meet her gaze. She’s leaning against the counter, taking little bites from her cheese. She’s silent for a little while before nodding.

“Yeah. It’s weird not having them around when at least one of them always is. My heat starts soon and it’s like I’m antsy? I don’t know. I just needed to be around people and not go home to an empty nest again.” Her scent sours for a few seconds before she plasters on a smile. Nala is way too good at that and I hate it. We’re both still scarred from the nightmares that plagued us but with each day, we’re getting better.

Bouts of therapy and joining an Omega support group have helped.

The fact that Nala and I share bits about our love lives has also helped. Granted, I try to leave Joel out of the conversations but she’s always so eager to try new things—so much so that she’s asked about Isaias’ closet once or twice. In turn, I’ve heard just about everything about her mates, minus the bedroom activities. As much as I love Nala, I don’t want to envision her being twisted like a pretzel. I do find it hilarious, though, where her mates chose to bite her.

I don’t know where exactly but the little giggles that fall from her lips when her mates are around tell me that they’re not in the usual place along her shoulder.

Watching her squirm as one of her mates brushes against her gives me so much joy. Especially when she not so quietly excuses herself to run home, all four of her mates following in tandem.

One too many barbeques have been cut short because of it but I always get a good laugh.

Nala scoots around the counter and takes the trash from my boys before speaking again. “What’s for dinner? What? You know I can’t fucking cook for shit and I’m tired of the TV dinners.”

I snort, knowing that’s not the full explanation. One of her Alphas, Montgomery, left his card for her to use for takeout. She has her own money but he’s overbearingly protective in a waythat’s both sweet and exhausting. Nala wants company and I’m happy to give it.

“Any minute now, I suppose.”

Elias and Leo finish their cheese and run back into the living to continue playing. The door swings open revealing a certain little Alpha, his entire face warming up when he sees me in the kitchen. He launches himself into my arms, legs wrapped around my thighs as he plants a big kiss on my lips.

“Hello, I’ve missed you,” he pushes out before snuggling into my neck.

“Saw you less than eight hours ago, Ren,” I respond, adding a purr to the edge of my voice. I rub a hand down his back before gripping his ass, drawing a low groan from his throat. He pulls back just a little so I can capture his lips again, disgusted little noises coming from the living room.

“Ew! Gross! Daddies are kissing!”

Soon enough, I feel little hands tugging on my pant legs, urging me to let Ren go. As much as I love them, I’m always grateful that Nala is around to distract our sons so I can get time with my mates.

I let Ren down and he greets our babies before offering a hug to Nala. She scurries into the kitchen after him, eager to be a part of the fun but not actually make dinner. Goddess no. Elias and Leo are content to bumble around and offer their two cents about what dinner should be as I lean against the wall, watching them work.

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