Page 89 of Ember's Claim

I sigh, nodding. “Yeah, she could have found a new job, and I’m bothering her while she’s trying to work or something.”

“The burgers have two minutes, and the hot dogs are done,” Bryant calls out from his spot manning the grill.

My stomach growls so loudly that Veryn snorts.

“Come on, baby. Let’s get you some fuel in case anyone else wants to get their ass kicked in the ring.” His black hair falls over his forehead as he grins, and my insides get all melty.

“Find a nice spot under one of the trees, and I’ll bring you a plate,” Lorcan says, appearing at my side. “I got the two new shifters settled into one of the empty houses.” He grins. “Your goal of building a safe place for all shifters, no matter the species, is spreading a little too swiftly. We may need to put together a team to start construction on new housing.”

I wiggle my eyebrows. “Or I could just sweet-talk you into using your magic.”

Lorcan steals me from Veryn. “Mmm, you’d owe me many kisses as payment.”

I laugh, stretching up to kiss him. “I can handle that.”

Two and a Half Months After That

My heart pounds as I stare down at the sweet newborn pup. Sofia is a badass. She popped out not one but two full-term babies. According to Nadia, they baked an extra week or so, but they came in their own time, and they’re perfect.

Not that I have any desire for kids of my own just yet, but Lana’s set of tiny wolf ears on top of her head of golden brown hair is almost too cute to handle. She’s mostly in human form, but her wolf must be pushy like mine, because she’s got a tail flicking out the top of her diaper too.

Anders grins down at Kalla, rocking her gently against his massive chest.

Dammit.

He looks really hot with a baby in his arms.

Coming to visit was a terrible idea.

To distract myself from irrational thoughts of popping out an entire litter of pups, I brush my fingers over Lana’s fuzzy ear.

She grunts, and her little nose wrinkles like she might cry.

“Uh-oh,” I whisper, glancing around for help. “I pissed her off somehow.”

“Don’t look at me.” Lorcan chuckles, taking a seat in the club chair nearby. “The only tiny beings I’ll hold will be my own. They’re much too breakable at this stage.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Kent says, leaning his elbows on the edge of the couch. “Lana isalwaysfussy.”

Sofia’s head rolls around the back of the recliner, and she gives a soft smile. “I can take her.”

“Nah.” Veryn scoops the baby out of my arms. “Get a few more minutes of sleep. We’ve got this.” He coos down at the baby, and my stomach gets all melty.

There’s just something about a hot guy with a baby that’s dangerous to a woman’s ovaries. And on that note, it’s probably time to hunt down Nadia for another birth control refresher.

They’re cute as can be, but seeing Sofia sleep through our visit to catch up on a little rest makes it perfectly clear… I’m nowhere close to being ready for kids anytime soon.

Bryant and Toby have been invaluable with their knowledge of the pack. They haven’t worked much since a few weeksbefore Sofia’s due date, but today, they needed to help pour the foundation for the new school. It also gave Anders a solid excuse to spend a few hours with his sister.

“You know, I was about your age when my little sister was born.” Veryn bumps his hip against Kent’s.

“Yeah, that’s cool.” Kent nods. “They’re all right. I mean, I could do without the crying all night when I have to go to school the next morning, but I love them.”

Veryn and Lorcan snort simultaneously.

My eyes roll as I lean close to Anders and Kalla. She’s bright-eyed for being so little.

Anders tilts his head, nuzzling his cheek to mine. He sends his contentment through the bond, and I smile.

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