Page 107 of Hunted By Her Demon Wolves

“Just let me see her,” she interrupted.

He hung his head. “Alright.”

Why was he acting like this? It couldn’t be that bad, could it?

* * *

THE VOLUCRI HAD THEIRown aerie at the top of the castle. Phoenix had never been up there until now. She’d never had a need to go there. The first thing she noticed was the smell. It was so strong, it burned her eyes, reminding her of the time she’d had to clean the orphanage floors with ammonia.

She grimaced while trying to navigate around all the bug droppings on the floor. Gross!

They found Drisinda and Bug in what looked like a large horse stall toward the back of the aerie. Their stall had a huge nest made of twigs. Drisinda was propped up against a tattered pillow, cradling a swaddled blanket to her chest.

Bug and Drisinda both squealed when they saw Phoenix and her mates. “Hello, masters and mistress.” Bug buzzed around their heads. “We sorry we can't attend wedding.”

“Yes, we sorry,” Drisinda added, her mouth turned down in a heavy frown.

“Hello, Drisinda and Bug.” Phoenix forced a smile as she cautiously walked up to the nest while trying to navigate around more piles of bug poo. “Don’t be sorry. Congratulations on your baby.”

Bug plopped down beside Drisinda, staring down at the babe. He let out an excited squeal. “Thank you, mistress.”

She fisted her hands by her sides when she reached Drisinda. Holy flames, the smell was so bad. “May I see her?”

That’s not a good idea,Cadmus projected into her head.

I can handle it, sheanswered, shooting him a warning look.

Her other mates stood outside the stalls, their silver skin turning a wan shade of green as they plugged their noses. She leaned over Drisinda to get a better look at the baby, and then it took all her willpower not to vomit. It looked like a white, squirming ball of snot.

Cadmus squeezed her shoulder.Larvae. It won’t look like this for long.

She swallowed and plastered on a smile. “Oh, she’s beautiful.”

Drisinda bowed her head. “Thank you, mistress.”

“What’s her name?” she asked.

Bug’s wings dropped and then buzzed again. “Jezebel,” he answered.

“Jezebel?” She shared a look with her mates.The names are too similar. That can’t be coincidental.

No,they answered, looking ten shades of awkward as they shifted from foot to foot. They wanted to leave, and she didn’t blame them. She didn’t know how much longer she could stand the smell, either.

“Have you picked her godmother yet?” she asked. Ugly larvae or not, she was determined to be a part of this baby bug’s life.

Drisinda shared a look with Bug, then shook her head. “No, mistress.”

“I’d like to be godmother,” she blurted, then paused when the parents gasped. “If that’s okay with you.”

Bug clasped his claws together. “You honor us.”

“No, the honor is mine.” She fought tears that threatened at the backs of her eyes. “I pray that she grows into a sweet soul just like her parents.”

Bug flashed a gummy grin while smiling down at his daughter with fatherly pride. “She will.”

“Yes, she will. Sweet and innocent, just like all volucri.” She wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. “Well, we have to get back to the wedding celebration.”

“We’ll have food and cake sent up,” Cadmus said to them.

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