“All right, you heard her,” Rhys said, projecting his voice. His comforting presence settled closer moments before a pair of small arms clamped onto Amaia’s leg. “Go home and clean upbefore dinner. Good work out there.” He slipped an arm around Amaia’s waist, drawing her attention from the slowly dispersing group of shifters, and lowered his voice. “Where’s my greeting?”
Amaia lifted her hands to frame his jaw. “I was just saving the best for last.” She got the words out before he sealed his lips over hers in a slow, deep kiss. She barely remembered to push at his shoulders before he could get too excited. When the kiss broke, she whispered, “Welcome home, honey.”
Rhys let out a heavy breath, reached down with one hand, and hauled Tommy up to sit the boy on his shoulder. “Come on, son. We both need a bath, and your mom needs to rest.” He flashed Amaia a grin as he angled past her.
Amaia rolled her eyes, paused to wave a temporary farewell to Sierra, and followed her family into their house. “As a matter of fact, I really do,” she said. “You’ll have to be extra sweet to me for a while.”
“I’m always sweet to you.”
Tommy twisted around on his father’s shoulder. “Are you still sick, Mama?”
Rhys froze in the hall. “What? Sick?”
Amaia stepped up to them and slipped Tommy safely to the ground, patting him on the back. “I’m not sick, sweetie. Do me a favor and run up to your room? I need to talk to Daddy.”
Tommy pouted stubbornly. “But—”
“Thomas, listen to your mother,” Rhys said.
Tommy’s eyes widened for a second, and he nodded. “Yes, sir!” He wasted no time bolting down the hall, his feet plodding audibly on the staircase as he took them at full speed.
Rhys backed Amaia against the wall. “What was that about?” His gaze raked over her, but he wouldn’t see anything wrong. She was respectably dressed and entirely unharmed. He wouldn’t see what he was looking for.
Amaia reached out and settled her fingers over his arms.“Take a breath,” she said. “I’m fine.” He opened his mouth with the clear intent to argue, so she lifted one arm and guided his hand to her abdomen. “I’m notsick, Rhys.” She slid her hand over the back of his, holding it in place. Waiting for her meaning to sink in.
His nostrils flared. His eyes widened. Relief, surprise, and finally excitement filled his eyes. In the next instant, he’d pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her neck. “We need a babysitter,” he said, his lips against her skin. “I feel like celebrating.”
Amaia laughed softly and wrapped her arms around him. “You said you wanted a big family.”
“Oh, I do.” He straightened. His eyes smoldered as he grinned down at her. “I’m hoping for twins this time.”
Amaia choked on air and hooked a hand behind his neck. “That’s up to fate, honey. Right now, just kiss me.”
The End
Find more books by Rose Wulf
WILD HEARTS
Hearts of Avalar, 1
Faedra Rose
Copyright © 2022
Chapter One
Asha
“Swallow it!”
I purse my lips and shake my head, a deep sense of rebellion rising in my soul. The candles flicker in response. I catch the orderlies exchanging fearful glances.The asylum is supposed to be magic proof…Scowling, I take advantage of their momentary unease. Thrashing in all directions, I fight to be free of them, but the two rock-solid men hold me firm in their vise-like grips. The restrictive embrace of my straitjacket further hinders any true attempt at escape.
“Enough,” Nurse Stone says.
Seizing my face with her meticulously clean fingers, she forces my head back and pries open my jaw. After dropping the white capsule down my throat, she pinches my nose and covers my mouth, cutting off my air supply—and my ability to breathe—until I have no choice but to relent and swallow the sedative.
Conveying all my hatred into a single look, I fight her on principle. I hold my breath for as long as I can until blinking stars dance before my eyes and I feel sickeningly light in the head.