Page 19 of Stalk of the Town

I heard raised voices coming from inside and turned around to see the pride and their parcel mates, with the exception of Butch and Leonidis, exit the house in a hurry.

Butch had been quiet on the driver over. I’d brought him in my truck because I didn’t want him to change his mind. My mate had been clear, bring him back. Leonidis had looked anything but pleased when Butch had stomped inside after Apollo had opened the door to us, demanding he speak to Leonidis.

Two alphas… there would be definite sparks flying.

“Look at my girls!” Ricky cooed, standing covered in soil and other stuff I didn’t think too hard on, beaming at everyone.

“Beautiful.” Tim strode over to Ricky. “You’re one lucky stalk.”

His grin said it all. “I am.” He turned and bent, careful of his calves, to kiss Burke on the head. “I really am.”

I sniffed and wasn’t the only one with a tear in their eye.

“I need a bath.”

Drew giggled. “Burke, you ain’t the only one.”

“I’m first!” Burke said weakly as Doc Picker did things to the bull that made me want to cross my own legs.

Everyone crowded around Burke and Ricky, and there was backslapping and laughter as Doc Picker finished what he was doing. The silence from inside, no one mentioned, so I did what I always did and kept my thoughts to myself.

When Drew was released from Burke’s hand, he rose, the knees of his sweats soaked and covered in stains. His hair was standing straight up, and he smelled ripe when he reached me, rubbing his hands against a towel to clean them. None of it bothered me, because he was all mine.

I am.He glanced at Burke.Now the drama is over, I think we need to go home so I can have a shower.

My heart beat a little faster.Home?I hoped he’d see my house as his home, but I would have understood if he wanted to stay here. This was also his home, too.

A soft smile curved the corners of his mouth.Yes. Our home. I don’t need to live here to know that the door would always be open in welcome for me. For you.He glanced at the sleeping stalks in my arms.It’s gonna get even more crowded here in the future. Moving out will help the pride. They can have my room as a nursery.He nuzzled his nose over the fuzzies of the stalk closest to him.

Then he looked up at me from under his eyelashes, batting them at me, giving me a sexy smirk that made my body react.Besides,I like to keep my sexy freak side just for you. And I plan to unleash it as soon as I’ve had—

“We need to get the grill pit set up.” Maximus interrupted what Drew was about to say, and I groaned, both pleased and disappointed. Pleased because I was holding baby stalks who didn’t need to be traumatized by what was happening down south. Disappointed when I wanted him to finish his thought.

“We’re gonna head off,” Drew answered, the same smirk on his face. “I need to find a way to rid myself of what Burke subjected me to.”

“You were the one who threw a drama llama meltdown at missing Tim give birth,” Maximus pointed out, doing his best to hold in his laughter if the shaking shoulders meant anything.

Drew sniffed. “Yes, well, how was I to know it was gonna be that…”

“Messy?” Tim supplied.

“Traumatic?” Glass offered.

“Noisy?” Doc Picker added, grinning at everyone as he wiped his hands on a cloth Apollo had handed him.

“Beautiful?” Gordon said, looking at Red.

“All that!” He shuddered. “But it could put a llama off.”

Really?My belly did a horrible flip flop.

No… okay, maybe a little.Drew stroked a finger of the leaves of a stalk, meeting my gaze.But seeing you like this would be worth it.

Heart racing faster than a speeding car, I gave him a sappy grin.

Doomed. I’m utterly doomed.

I didn’t worry because I felt he didn’t mean it.

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