She was gorgeous when she was like that.
The years had gone by in a blur of wonderful, happy memories. I protected what was mine, making sure Rue and our children were safe and cared for above all else. They were the reason I lived now, the reason I did… everything.
I looked down at my mate, pushed her long hair off her face, and felt my chest tighten at the emotions that filled me every time I looked at her. My mate. My better half. My everything.
She was the mother of my son, of my daughter tha
t was growing in her belly. She was the reason I breathed every day. Pushing down my bear, because the bastard wanted her more and more each day, I slid my hand under the blanket and placed my hand over her swollen belly. She was due with our little girl in a month, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
I felt our baby girl kick.
Rue ran her hand over my bicep, and for long seconds we just lay there in silence. “You ready for another one?” she asked softly.
“Mate, I’ve never been readier for all of this. I love you.”
“I love you too.” She rose up and kissed me back.
I rubbed my hand over her belly for several long minutes. “Although it’ll be hard to keep the little fuckers away from her when she’s older. I’m gonna want to keep her under lock and key.”
Rue started chuckling. “Yeah, figured you would be like that. So protective.” She snuggled in closer to me.
I felt my daughter kick again and knew I’d protect what was mine at all costs.
Every day, I loved Rue more. She was my mate, my wife, the very reason I breathed. I’d die for her. I’d kill for her.
“Are you happy?” I asked her this constantly, wanting to hear her say it. It pleased me.
“You make me so happy, happier than I could have ever dreamed of, mate.”
Fuck, I loved hearing her call me her mate.
“Are you happy?” she asked softly.
“You make me happy, Rue. You and our family. Our life.”
She leaned forward and pressed her lips to mine. “I love you, Damon.” I groaned as her lips brushed along mine. “I love you so much.”
I cupped the back of her head and pulled her an inch closer. For long seconds, I just kissed her, pleased when she melted against me. “You’re my life, baby girl.”
She sighed, and it was that small sound, that little act, that had pleasure filling me.
I moved my hand to the side of her throat so I covered the mark I’d given her during our first mating. Rue was my female, my mate.
Mine.
I ran my thumb along the mark on her neck. I fucking loved looking at it, loved knowing I gave it to her… that she was mine.
I pulled her closer and just held her, loving how soft and warm she was, how pliant she was in my arms. She was mine forever, and nothing would take that away. It had been years since I’d found her, claimed her as a proper mate did, and every day I fell in love with her, connected with her more than the last.
She was my mate, the mother of my young, and the female I was meant to be with from the day I was born. I felt that consume every part of me.
“Momma.”
The sound of Ayden had Rue and me sitting up.
She held her arms out to our son. “Come here, sweetheart. Come lay next to Momma.”
I pulled the blanket down and smiled as he ran up to our big bed and climbed up, his little body struggling a second before he finally got on top.