Gavril stepped forward, nudged him with his large muzzle, then nipped his neck. A more dominant male correcting a juvenile pup. Everyone knew it was not okay to bark at your mom.

  Titus tucked his tail and sat down.

  “It’s okay, Gavril,” Sally started, but the large male wolf’s head whipped around to look at her.

  “Or not,” Sally said slowly.

  “He’s your son.” Jen raised her eyebrows at Sally. “But he’s also a male member of this pack, and Gavril is dominant to him. He has to learn his place, Sally.”

  “He’s so young.” She reached out and ran her fingers through his fur.

  “Yes, but he could still rip out your jugular if he went feral on you,” Jen pointed out.

  Gavril nudged Titus again and then, to her surprise, the large male lowered himself to his front paws with his tail in the air. A universal sign of play among the canine species. Titus jumped up and started running around, lunging at Gavril and darting back out of the larger wolf’s reach.

  “Well”—Jen stretched out her arms over her head and bent at the waist from side to side—“I think my work here is done.”

  “What did you do exactly?”

  “She taught him to duck and roll, Bethany.” Sally watched her son play with Gavril.

  Jen scoffed. “Umm, he started out as a dormant-wolf child that couldn’t phase. I worked with him for an hour and boom.” She clapped her hands. “He’s now phasing. I’d say my teaching has been pretty damn effective.”

  “Oh, my bad. I didn’t realize that is what you had been brought here to do. Here.” Bethany held out Hope. “Make her phase.”

  “She can’t even walk yet.” Jen frowned. “Or eat solid foods. Or go without a diaper. What the heck is she supposed to do as a wolf? Lay there and slobber?”

  Bethany shrugged. “Don’t come crying to me when you realize your dreams of being the most awesome Canis lupus trainer crash and burn because you can’t get any more pups to phase.”

  “I think I liked you better when you were shy. What happened to that girl?”

  “She mated a werewolf, had a baby, and became friends with a borderline, narcissistic psychopath.”

  Sally nodded and pointed at Bethany. “That. Totally explains all of her.”

  Barking interrupted their squabbling, and then an adorable howl filled the room. “I’m pretty sure that’s the cutest sound ever.” Sally sighed.

  Jen couldn’t disagree. It was pretty dang delightful. Ugh. She was feeling emotional again. She was so sick of feeling emotional. “Well done, Titus.” The boy in question turned to look at her. Then he took off, running at full speed. Jen’s eyes widened when he launched himself at her. His front paws hit her shoulders, and she stumbled from the surprising strength of his hit. She fell back and hit the mat on her back. Titus stood on her, panting with his muzzle pulled back in a wolfish grin. Jen laughed. “Okay, fine. You got me. I’ll pay you.” She reached up and ruffled the fur on his head. He leaned into her touch and gave her hand a quick lick. “No licking, or I’ll put a shock collar on you.”

  Sally called his name, and he jumped off Jen and trotted over to his mom. Jen rolled onto her side and watched as he rubbed all over their healer. Suddenly, tears threatened to fall, and Jen clenched her jaw to keep them at bay. After several minutes, she pushed herself to her feet and headed for the door. “I’m going to check on my mini-hellion,” she called out over her shoulder. “Titus, see if Gavril can help you phase back to your human form. We’ll meet again tomorrow.”

  Before anyone could respond, Jen zipped out the door and started toward the nursery. When she reached the door, she took several deep breaths to ensure her emotions were under lock and key. Then she pushed the door open and walked in. Thia was conked out on the floor, doll body parts strewn around her. She looked like some giant laying in the middle of weird-ass plastic graveyard. Slate sat close by, throwing blocks and clapping his hands when they hit the wall and clattered to the floor. Rachel sat next to him, stacking the blocks into a tower, which Slate kept kicking with his little feet and giggling.

  “They’re even buttheads as babies.” Jen walked over and took a seat across from Rachel.

  “Pretty much.” The healer smiled. “But they’re adorable, so we let them get away with being buttheads.”

  Jen nodded but didn’t respond. Her mind was a mess of emotions. She was excited for Titus and eager for Thia and Slate to reach the same point. But she was also afraid of them growing up too fast in a world where they would spend the rest of their days fighting to keep themselves and others alive. One day, they would leave this nursery and lose their innocence, as well as the safety provided by these four walls. It was a bittersweet thing to watch your child grow up, hoping for the best for them but preparing them for the worst.

  “You okay?” Rachel began to build another block tower.

  “Titus phased,” she blurted out, though that hadn’t been what she’d planned to say. Her mouth seemed to work without her control. “We were in the middle of sparring, and the little turd just phased while he was latched onto my leg.” Speaking of her leg, Jen bent it at the knee so she could get a look at it. A large rip was torn in her workout pants, and blood she hadn’t even noticed had dripped down and pooled on her sock. But the bite itself had already begun to heal.

  “Seriously!” Rachel grinned, nearly as big as Sally had. “That’s great. I mean, we didn’t know when or if it would happen since he was a dormant. Didn’t you and Jacque have to go through a special ceremony in order to phase?”

  Jen nodded. “We did.”

  “Hmm.” Rachel looked thoughtful. “What does the little guy look like?”

  “He’s grey with white patches.”

  Rachel sighed. “They’re growing up so fast.”

  Jen glanced over at her own little wolf. “They have the potential to have very long lives because of what they are. And yet they also have a high probability of having short lives because of what they are. How is that for irony?”

  Rachel leaned back and stretched her legs out in front of her and rested on her hands. “Such is life for anyone, really. Not just Canis lupus. Life is not guaranteed. None of us are promised even one more breath.”

  Jen tilted her head to the side until it nearly rested on her shoulder and lifted a brow at Gavril’s mate. “You’re not cheering me up, chick.”

  “I didn’t realize you needed cheering up.”

  Jen snorted. “You’re one of the most observant people I know, Rach. Don’t feed me your innocent act.”

  “I’m getting some adult time. Don’t rain on my parade of messing with you. It’s going to be a while before my current audience gets my sarcasm.” She nodded to Slate and Thia. “Though they do think I’m the greatest thing since sliced bread.”

  Jen laughed. “Don’t read too much into it. Slate still likes any woman with boobs even though Jacque’s been weaning him from her girls. He seems to think he’ll be able to grin, and we’ll just whip them out.” She tapped her chin. “I suppose he’s not any different from our grown mates, really. And Thia also thinks ripping apart dolls is cool. Having her approval isn’t necessarily a ringing endorsement.”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” Rachel sighed. “She’s pretty stinking awesome. I’d take her approval any day over most others.”

  Jen smiled. “Well, she thinks I’m the coolest thing ever, so that makes her crazy as all get-out, and crazy people are the best.”

  “I can’t disagree with you there.” Rachel nodded. “Crazy beats boring and normal any day.”

  “And you’re as old as dirt, so you should be an expert on crazy and normal. I imagine you’ve met some doozies in your day.”

  The door suddenly flew open, and Titus—on two legs, with his arms held out wide—came barreling toward them. Thankfully he was fully clothed. Sally must have gotten him some clothes because the ones he’d been wearing when he phased were destroyed. “Aunt Rachel, I’m a wolf! I did it! I did it!”

  “Um, aren’t you forgetting something, Teagan?” Jen raised a brow at him.

  “Oh, yeah. Aunt Jessica let me bite her leg. Something about biting her made me think ‘this would be so much better if I was a wolf like Uncle Gavril,’ and then, boom, I was on all fours with sharp teeth tearing into Aunt Jill’s flesh. It was amazing!”

  “So glad my body could be of service to you,” Jen said dryly.

  “I’m a little concerned that you didn’t take that statement and run with it.” Sally walked into the nursery. “The innuendo possibilities are endless.”

  “I thought you wanted me to clean up my potty mouth and subsequently my dirty commentary, as well,” Jen reminded her BFF.

  Sally took a seat on the couch and leaned back, resting her hands on her small bump. “I mean, sometimes I do, and then sometimes I’m like, ‘wow, life is so boring without Jen’s perverted word-vomiting.’”

  “’Tis true,” Bethany added. She took a seat next to Sally after having laid Hope down in one of the cribs. “You make life so much more interesting. Even if it means you will corrupt our children. That’s the price of entertainment.”

  Jen threw up her hands. “I’m not a damn television show. Geez. Seriously, I could be a lot worse.”

  Bethany grinned. “I feel like that’s something we should take bets on. How dirty could Jen get before Decebel stepped in and duct taped her mouth?”

  “Hm, that has potential. If I get desperately bored, we will readdress the issue.” Jen laid back on the floor and put her hands behind her head. “I’m exhausted from turning Trigger into a real wolf. I need a nap.”

  “I was a real wolf before, Aunt Justine,” Titus quipped.

  “Just keep telling yourself that, Pinocchio.” Jen sighed and closed her eyes. She forced herself not to think about Decebel and what he might be dealing with. Instead, she took several deep breaths and allowed herself to imagine what Thia would be like in her wolf form. Her daughter was going to kick ass and take names. And also, possibly dismember her enemies. Jen probably should be more disturbed than proud of that fact, but then Thia was her kid. What did she really expect?

  “Don’t forget you owe me money, Aunt Jen. I pinned you to the floor.” She felt Titus lie down next to her and then snuggle up against her.

  “Shut up and let me sleep. I’ll pay you when I wake up,” Jen said, though there was no heat in her words. The little wolf pressed closer to her, and Jen leaned her head over until her cheek pressed to the top of his head. “I’m proud of you, Titus,” she whispered.

  “I know,” he whispered just as softly. “And I’m glad you’re the one who helped it happen.”

  “You need to see this,” Sally said as soon as Costin appeared with the rest of the hunting party in the large gathering room. The hunters were each making their way to their respective mates. Sally saw Costin’s eyes still held a pale glow, the after effects of the chase.

  Costin grinned, dimples on full display. Something that could only be described as gore covered his body, and he stunk … bad. She glanced around and saw the other hunters similarly covered. Sally wondered how in the world they could stand themselves. “I want to see anything you have to show me, baby. Shall we get out of here? Or not … if you’re feeling adventurous.”

  “And the after-hunt endorphin rush has kicked in.” Jen sauntered into the room and took a huge sniff. “Ah, and the smell of the kill still clings heavy to these hunters. I so wish I could have joined. Oh, well. The after-hunt foreplay is almost as good. Let the mating begin.”

  Sally was glad Decebel wasn’t around to hear that. She only hoped Jen had the bond closed.

  Costin moved to Sally, but she held up a hand. “Sorry, handsome, but you’re not touching me until all of that”—she motioned to his body—“is cleaned off.”

  “Thankfully, I have powerful friends. Any awesome fae want to help a wolf out?” Costin glanced around the room. Sally didn’t see which fae was responsible, but a second later, her mate was completely clean. Costin looked down at himself and then back at Sally. “Well, I guess we’re good to go, Brown Eyes. Come here and show me what you got.”

  Sally shook her head. “Nope. You come with me, and we’re not going to our bedroom.”

  “So, you are feeling adventurous?”

  Sally made a loud buzzing sound. “Eh, wrong. Get your mind out of the gutter for a second.” She waved him to follow her. “I promise this is so much better than that.”

  “It’s totally not,” Jen called out. “I mean, what she’s going to show you is cool, but not better than that.”

  Sally grabbed Costin’s hand and pulled him with her, headed toward the nursery. “You’re not going to believe this.”

  “Okay, something to do with the nursery? Is this why your thoughts have been about nothing else but what our nursery is going to look like?” She could feel his attitude shift from bedroom time to curiosity about what had her so excited. “I gotta say, Sally-mine. I’m happy you’re throwing yourself into this whole domesticated life, motherhood thing. But if you think nursery decor is better than intimacy with me, then I am seriously doing something wrong.”

  “Shh, just shut your mouth and wait a second. You are going to love this.” They reached the door and stopped. She held up a hand to keep Costin quiet. Sally raised her voice and threw it toward the bedroom. “Of course, Costin. Titus is right in here. I know you’re excited to be home. Titus wants to show you something.” The look on her face was one of anticipation, like a kid on Christmas morning.

  Costin’s face was a look of confusion. “Why are you being weird? And why are you yelling at the bedroom door?” Costin reached for the doorknob.

  Sally slapped his hand. “Wait.”

  He pulled it back quickly. “You just accomplished what no vampire could do tonight, Sally-mine.”

  She cocked her head at him. “Did a vampire seriously try to slap your hand away?” Sally couldn’t help but laugh at the vision of a hissing vampire slapping at Costin like a teenage girl fight.

  “No, smart-ass.” He growled playfully. “I meant touch me. They couldn’t lay a finger on me. I was moving like lightning tonight.”

  “Then why were you so gross?”

  He raised a brow at her and tilted his head, a wolfish grin on his handsome face causing one of his dimples to show itself. “I had to bathe in the blood of my enemies, of course. It’s a thing.”

  Sally blinked as she stared at him. “You’re joking, right?”

  Before he could respond, the bedroom door burst open, and a flying, furry projectile hit Costin in the chest and knocked him backward. Scrambling, he caught the ball of fur before it fell to the floor.

  Rachel appeared in the doorway sheepishly. “Sorry. He was pawing at the door. We’re going to have to learn what is and isn’t allowed in our wolf forms, like scratching up the doors.”

  Costin’s eyes went wide, and his mouth dropped open. He held Titus out in front of him, taking in the boy’s new form while the wolf pup panted happily, his tail wagging back and forth like a windshield wiper on fast mode. Costin’s face broke into a wide grin. He turned to Sally, and she saw pride, love, and awe in her mate’s eyes. “He… He… He phased?”

  She nodded, and a tear tracked down her face. “While he was sparring with Jen.”

  Costin laughed and pulled Titus close to his body, nuzzling him just like he would have if he’d been in his wolf form. Titus licked Costin’s face. “Leave it to Jen to bring out the wolf in one of our kids.”

  Titus started wriggling, trying to get Costin to put him down. Costin kneeled down and placed the pup on the floor. He ran his hand down their son’s back and pressed his forehead to Titus’s. “You’re amazing, buddy. You know that?”

  Titus nodded his wolf head and then dropped into a playful pose. Costin laughed. “Okay, we can play.” A moment later, he, too, was in his wolf form, dwarfing Titus’s. Costin gave a little yip and motioned down the hall. Titus didn’t have to be told twice. He turned and took off in a flash, only tripping over his four new paws a couple of times. Costin was hot on his heels.

  Sally’s heart felt as if it might burst in her chest. “We needed this.” She looked at Rachel. “We needed something good. Something to remind us of what we’re fighting for.”

  Rachel placed a hand on Sally’s shoulders. “Kids have a way of doing that.”

  She looked at the other healer and smiled. “They do.” She was about to offer to help in the nursery when her cell phone vibrated in her pocket.

  She pulled it out and saw Kara’s name on the screen. “It’s Kara,” she told Rachel as she swiped the screen and then put the phone to her ear. “Kara? Are you okay?”

  Chapter

  Twelve

  “The amazing thing about the Canis lupus is that it doesn’t matter what pack you’re in. They’re all your family. Every single one of them would stand beside you in battle. They would have your back in a heartbeat. Whether they’re on the other side of the world or just across the state line. Pack is pack.” ~Nick

  “Boo.”

  Nick didn’t stop to think about whether the voice was familiar or if he picked up a scent. He simply reacted. His human nails changed to claws, and he whipped around, bringing his hand down in a slashing motion. But before he could make contact with the owner of the voice, Nick was flat on his back. Dillon’s knee rested on his chest, and a wicked grin showed on his face.

  “I’m going to have to talk to Drayden about his beta being more aware of his surroundings.” Dillon patted Nick’s face and then jumped to his feet. He offered Nick a hand, which the beta took, letting the Colorado alpha pull him up.

  “Don’t be too hard on him.” Dalton gave Nick a clap on the shoulder. “His mate is back at the pack mansion. Being separated from her isn’t easy on him.”