Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
“You’re not pissed at me?”
She snorted. “Why would I be? You didn’t hold back to be an asshole; you weren’t caught up in how you’d feel if the unthinkable happened. You desperately wanted us to be fully bound, but you were so worried about what that might one day do to me that you denied yourself what you needed.” She splayed her hand on his chest. “I’m just glad you’re done with that. My mink is glad.” The animal was curled up in a ball of utter contentment.
“So is my wolf, and so am I.” He pressed a long kiss to her mouth. “Love you, baby.”
“Love you right back,” she whispered, delighted that they were finally fully mated, loving that she could bolster his strength if he needed her to.
It was amazing how much clearer his emotions were to her now. She couldn’t help but wonder if she’d feel his orgasms more strongly now, too. “You tired? Because I have a few ideas for how we can spend the next hour.”
Twisting his mouth, he traced her collarbone with one finger. “I’m not tired, but I can think of a few ways I can tire myself out.”
Her mouth canted up. “It’s like one mind.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Eight years later
Putting his hand on the doorjamb, Eli knocked on the open door. “Come on, little man, time to go.”
Sitting on the rug among hundreds of colored, plastic bricks, seven-year-old Curtis lifted his head. Big brown eyes so like Eli’s own narrowed on him. “But I’m building a weapon of mass destruction.”
“You’ll have gifts to open at the main lodge,” Eli reminded the pup. It was the pack’s Christmas tradition to gather there at noon. Just thinking about the large dinner that awaited them made his stomach rumble. “Someone might have bought you something that will improve your weapon.”
Curtis’ nose wrinkled. “I don’t want to open the presents at the lodge. You’ll make me share with the other kids.”
Eli’s lips twitched, and he felt his wolf’s amusement. His boy was extremely possessive. “Christmas is a time for sharing.”
“I never learned how to share. I’m an only child.”
“No, you’re not. Now hurry up. Your mom and sister are waiting.”
With a long, suffering sigh, Curtis abandoned his toys and preceded Eli down the stairs. In the hallway, he pulled on his coat, gloves, and hat—frowning at Eli when he tried to give him a hand. His son was just as independent as he was possessive.
“Is Uncle Miles coming to visit later?” Rubie asked her mother as Casey zipped up the five-year-old’s coat. She’d shocked everyone when she popped out of Casey with a little mop of ruby-red curls—the color didn’t run in either side of the family.
Eli thought his daughter bore a strong resemblance to Roni, but she had her mother’s pale hazel eyes. Eyes that could make your stomach twist when she concentrated that mink-unblinking stare on you. His wolf liked that, though.
“Yep,” replied Casey with a smile. “He’ll be here after dinner.”
Rubie pumped her fist in the air. “Uncle Miles buys good presents.” She smirked at her brother. “I’m his favorite.”
Slipping on his boots, Curtis sniffed. “He just feels sorry for you because you were adopted.”
Rubie’s lips thinned. “Mommy, Curtis is telling lies again!”
Casey sighed. “Curtis, stop telling her she was adopted. And can we please have one day where you two don’t argue?”
Both kids just looked at their mother in a way that said, “can’t promise nothing.”
It wasn’t so much that they didn’t get along, it was that they were very different. Curtis was an indoor kid whereas Rubie was very physically active and liked to be outdoors. She’d play soccer all day long if she could. Like her mother, she had an innate talent for it.
Casey had retired from the Hounds a year ago, but she still got together with her old teammates to play for fun now and then. She often took Rubie with her.
Eli clapped his hands. “Come on, let’s go, I’m hungry.” Once everyone was all bundled up, he grabbed the bulging gift sack from beside the door and gestured for all three of them to file out the lodge first.
Stepping onto the porch, Casey inhaled deeply, drinking in the ozone scent of snow. The fresh, crisp air filled her lungs and made her shiver just a little. A thick, white blanket had covered the forest; frosting bushes, branches, and dead logs. It really was a beautiful sight.
The kids walked on ahead as they all traipsed through the snow. Casey loved the sound of it crunching beneath her feet. She was glad it was no longer snowing. She liked snow, she just didn’t like being outside while it was snowing. Having flakes of it pelt her face, chap her skin, and cling to her clothes and hair was not Casey’s idea of fun at all. But she’d enjoyed making a snow fort with Eli and the kids the previous day.