Page 30 of Claiming the Shifter's Heart

“Sam, what happened?” Della said.

The knuckles of her left hand were white where it gripped his, and he squeezed back, letting her know he was there for her. His Wolf was scratching at his skin. The beast demanding to be let out.

Not yet.

First, he needed to get back to her place and pick up a scent, then he could track them. The second she ended the call with Sam, he asked what happened.

“What happened, Baby?”

“S-someone broke in through the upstairs window. Aunt Eileen had just put down Janie, and Sean was on the bed reading a book when she went to get a glass of water for him. When she got back, they were gone,” she said, tears spilling down her cheeks.

“Fuck. We’re gonna get them back. I swear it,” he said.

“I-it’s Cade’s brother and his mate. I-I had to see the lawyer today, and he told me they were trying to get custody of my babies,” she whimpered.

“Never gonna happen, Della. Hear me? I won’t ever let that happen. Now, I will apologize for this later, but let’s bring the kids home first, okay?”

He tapped the console, and a moment later, he had Dib Lowell on speaker.

“Kris? What’s going on?”

“You should have fucking told me someone was here for the kids,” Kris growled, ignoring Della’s shocked stare.

“How did you know he was my lawyer?” she asked, mouth gaping.

“Because I asked. Dib, you there?”

“Yeah, I’m fucking here. What’s going on? Oh, and sorry Della. It’s a Pack thing.”

“I asked a question, Dib. Now, what do you know about this Crow couple?”

“Blayne and Cynthia Connors, members in good standing of the Dawn Valley Murder. They are making an appeal to the Shifter Council for custody, stating they can provide a stable, secure two parent home. Now, I’ve been busy working to stop it. Why don’t you just claim the woman already, for fuck’s sake, Kris?”

“Fuck,” Kris growled, “You know where they were staying?”

“No, but?—”

“Wait, what does he meanclaim me already?” Della asked.

“I’ll send out notices to the Pack Guard and the other Enforcers. Della, I am truly sorry about this. We will find them.”

Kris took a rough inhale and squeezed Della’s thigh. He was encouraged by the fact she hadn’t pushed him off yet. So he justkept right on holding her while he took a hard right turn, trying to find the right words to explain.

“Okay, this is not how I envisioned telling you this, but I’ve known it since the first time I laid eyes on you,” he said, turning to look at her as he pulled into her driveway.

“You’re my fated mate, Della. My Wolf knows it. I know it. And now you know it.”

“What? Are you joking?”

“It’s no joke. No lie. I am completely and totally yours, Sweet Girl. As for the kids, hell, I love them like my own already and my Wolf already claimed them as ours. I have every intention of giving you my bite, but only when you’re ready. And I don’t want you to feel pressured. I’m gonna get the kids back regardless of your answer, but Baby, you should know. I don’t give up easy.”

He cupped her neck, kissed her forehead, and got out of the truck. She hopped out after him, racing up the stairs to meet a frazzled Sam and a weeping Eileen.

“I’m so sorry!” the older woman cried.

“It’s all my fault.”

“No, this has Cade’s stink all over it,” Della said.

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