Page 18 of Broken Chains

He was a bright kid and it was easy to see how incredible Oliver was when seeing him through Kenneth's eyes. He adored his brother and credited him for every good thing in his life.

And the baby. What would I do without Eve? She had quickly become an integral part of my day and had captured every piece of my heart in her precious little dimpled hands. I loved her and the threat to not let her come over anymore had hurt far more than I expected.

"Are you really going to keep Eve away from here?" I asked sadly.

Oliver looked like I was hurting him by just asking the question. That had to be something, right? I chastised myself for being so insecure and then again for reading something into nothing.

"I don't know what to do here. I hate her going to daycare more than anything, but it's not right for you to just babysit my kid for free, Peyton."

I wish he'd stop saying my name. It made it all so much worse. The way it rolled off his tongue so effortlessly did something to me inside.

A vision of a big white house with a covered, wraparound porch flashed through my mind and I smiled. Could it be time?

My entire life I had dreamed of living in the old Collier home. My grandparents had grown up there before they built the current Alpha House in town. I still lived in that house, but I had always imagined updating the original homestead to raise my family in. That would certainly be a huge undertaking, and I could easily justify keeping Kenneth on for the entire summer, maybe Tim, too, if he was interested. And I would be willing to bet that a certain mate of mine just might be willing to trade work for babysitting and I could keep Eve around more often.

It was a sick plan, even by my own admission. Oliver wasn't looking at me like a mate should. I knew they were all half-breeds. Did he even have a wolf to guide him? Could I handle seeing him hot and sweaty working around the house, maybe even shirtless?

My lower belly warmed, and I squeezed my legs together, turned on just from the thought. I didn't know how long I'd be able to keep my hands to myself, but I would be horrified if I made a move and he really did feel nothing towards me. That thought was agony, because I knew he was meant to be mine and no one was going to convince me otherwise.

I kissed Eve's sweet curls as I laid her down in her bed and smiled down at her sleeping form.

That means you're meant to be mine, too,I thought.

I gave it a second to freak me out, but no. Nothing would make me happier. I was ready.

I turned back towards Oliver a little more certain of myself. "Stick to the status quo and give me a week. I think I have an idea that will work out well in both our interests. Can you give me that?"

He hesitated and sighed. Finally, he nodded.

I wanted to hug him in celebration, since something told me this man didn't cave easily. He was very prideful. I'm sure he had his reasons for it, and I realized I wanted to know them. I wanted to know every little thing about Oliver Smith, the man, the father, the brother. My mate.

"Peyton, we're back," Kenneth hollered as the bell chimed over the front door.

I ran out and shushed him. "Shh, Eve's down for a nap. So you guys were able to get everything?"

"Yeah, we got everything on the list exactly as you requested."

I jumped up and down with a squeal and clapped my hands before giving Thomas a quick kiss on the cheek. I heard a low growl behind me, and I bit back a grin as I turned to look at Oliver, who faked clearing his throat to try and cover it. This time I was certain I hadn't imagined it, especially from the curious looks Thomas was shooting me.

"Ollie, you made it," Kenneth said excitedly as he dropped the bag he was carrying and hugged his brother. "Isn't this place great? Did Peyton already show you around?"

"Nope, I left that job all for you. Why don't you give him the grand tour and I'll help Thomas unload."

"It can wait," Oliver said.

"Yeah, you relax, Pey. Ollie and I got this. It'll only take a moment," Kenneth said proudly as they headed out to Thomas's truck.

"What the hell is going on?" Thomas asked.

"Please don't start, just go with it, I’ll explain later, and try not to embarrass me for once," I said in a low voice. I grabbed the baby monitor as he started heading in the direction Oliver and Kenneth had just gone.

Thomas laughed. "Oh, Peyton," he said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear as he walked outside. "I'm the baby brother, I live to embarrass you. Isn't that right, Kenneth? As the youngest it is our highest duty."

Kenneth laughed and nudged Oliver. "See, all these years I didn't realize I was just living up to my highest duty."

I pulled out my phone and held it up for Thomas to see. “I have Lily on speed dial,” I warned.

“What are you doing, Peyton?” Oliver asked.

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