Wolf Ranch 4
It was the monthly pack meeting. Pack members trickled into the large building high in the woods as others set up chairs and organized the food for the potluck. Clint had found me a chair and settled me in it, telling me I wasn’t to do a thing.
I’d been to several since last fall when Clint and I first mated. Everyone had been welcoming and open. Excited about the baby. They’d even thrown a joint baby shower for me and Audrey since our due dates were close together.
Clint had been his usual growly, protective self, barely letting me walk, preferring to carry me about so I didn’t get hurt.
I smiled, watching the love of my life from across the large room. He was chatting with a few other early arrivals. I had no idea being married… well, not married but mated, could be this amazing.
He’d been by my side as Todd’s estate went through probate, then released. Todd had never written a will and since we were legally married at the time of his death, I’d been his sole beneficiary. His house and other assets had been sold and the money had come to me. I hadn’t wanted a dime of it. After I’d paid off his debts, I’d donated it all to a local charity for supporting domestic abuse victims.
Now, my life was complete. The baby was here… Lily. She had a full head of dark hair, just like Clint. I didn’t know anything about shifter babies, but I hoped she would shift when she got older. There was a chance she wouldn’t, since I was human, but Clint had eased my mind when I’d panicked about it. He’d said he didn’t give a shit if she shifted or not. He’d tell her about it and so would the other pack members from a very early age. She’d be used to it all. She wasn’t alone. She was loved.
But I’d deal with my child turning into a wolf later. For now, I was dealing with breast feeding and diapers.
As if Clint knew I was thinking of him, he turned to face me. Little Lily was tucked in the crook of his arm like a football, her little pink outfit a sharp contrast to Clint’s brawny physique. When an overeager shifter reached out to touch Nell, Clint growled.
I couldn’t help but laugh. Clint heard the sound and his eyes met mine again, this time narrowing.
Yeah, he’d said he was fucked from the very first ultrasound appointment, and he was. Little Lily had him wrapped around her tiny finger. I thought he was possessive of me, but with Lily? He took protectiveness to the extreme. If I wasn’t feeding her, he had her in his arms. He wouldn’t put her down and wouldn’t let anyone hold her, let alone touch her.
He’d made exceptions for his parents, although he struggled when she wasn’t in his arms.
Breaking off, Clint came over to me. “Mate, what’s that smirk?”
I looked up at him, then took a peek at Lily, who was sound asleep across his forearm.
“You’re a good dad.”
His dark brow winged up. “That’s what you’re thinking?”
I leaned toward him and crooked my finger so he’d lean down. “And that the doctor gave me the all clear for sex.”
His eyes turned silver and his growl rumbled into me. I hadn’t been all that eager for sex since the delivery and Clint had been patient. He loved to watch me nurse Nell and often jerked off at the sight of my huge—God, were they big!—breasts. Other than that, he’d been nothing but gentle and patient until I was ready. I was now.
“Are you running hot, mate?”
I gave a slight shrug. “Maybe.”
He growled again.
I caught sight of Audrey and Boyd coming inside. My laughter made Clint turn. “Shit,” he muttered.
It was Boyd who was so amusing. The rodeo champ had a baby carrier slung across his front with their baby, Lizzie—named after Boyd’s mother, Elizabeth—snug within. Her little arms and legs dangled out of the opening and she rested her head against his chest. She looked just like Audrey. Born six weeks before Lily, it was amazing to see the difference a few weeks made in growth.
“I’ve got to find out where he got that,” Clint said and I bit my lip as he walked over to Boyd. He stopped and turned to face me. Pinned me with his dark gaze. “Later, mate. We’re making another baby later.”
I swallowed hard at the possibility. I wasn’t ready to be pregnant again so soon, but practicing would work. I’d tell him that. Later.
For now, I’d enjoy watching him—and Boyd—love up their little baby girls in ways they probably never imagined.
Life couldn’t be any sweeter.
