She looked around. “Who is watching Yuki?”
Kendrick held up a walkie-talkie. “Gage’s mother is at the warrior villa with Yuki. I’ll escort you there, then return to the palace. Kincaid, can you guard them?”
Kincaid nodded.
She went to Ame, who held up his arms and scooped him up. Laying a hand on Kincaid’s shoulder, she gave it a squeeze. “I know you’d rather be with them.”
“We’re only a four-man squad normally, five counting Brie, but they went out one man short.” He shook his head. “I’m glad I was able to help you, Zoe. I just wish…”
“That you could be in two places at once?” Kendrick asked, then gave a short laugh. “Join the club.”
Kincaid nodded at Kendrick’s understanding. “Let’s get them home.” He smiled at Ame. “I bet we can figure out some snacks for the guys for when they return.”
Ame nodded enthusiastically. “I want to help!”
Zoe was fighting to stay calm. Her mate was out there fighting, and she was here, where she had no idea what was happening.
Kendrick gripped her shoulder. “Your only responsibility right now is to watch over the boys and don’t make them worry over you.”
In other words, keep my shit together.She thought.
The walk back to the warrior villa was quicker than she remembered, but that could be attributed to her being distracted. When she opened the door, the first thing she noticed was how quiet it was.
“Yuki!” she called out.
“Hahaue!” Yuki came running from the family room. Behind him, a beautiful, dark-haired, woman appeared in the doorway, smiling at her.
Yuki wrapped himself around her legs, and Ame hugged his brother tightly. “It’s okay, boys. Everything will be just fine.” She knelt down and kissed each boy on the forehead. “Your big brother Kincaid has had a marvelous idea. He suggested we make some food for the warriors so that when they return, they have plenty to eat. Yuki, would you like to help us in the kitchen?”
“Rice,” he answered.
She frowned.
“He means he wants to be in charge of cooking the rice,” Ame interpreted.
Because Ame was the more timid of the two, she tended to forget he was older. Right now, his younger brother was upset, so he was stepping up. She was very proud of him.
Looking up, she gave a wan smile to the older woman. “Gage’s mother, I presume?”
The woman laughed. “What a way to meet one another. Yes, I am Gage’s mother, Tierla LeBeau. You have beautiful boys. I cannot tell you how excited I am to have two grandsons!”
“Thank you, for coming so quickly to watch Yuki.”
Tierla waved off her thanks. “That is what grandmothers are for.”
Yuki smiled at the woman shyly, then turned to his brother. “She is very nice.”
Ame nodded and eyed Tierla carefully.
Tierla clapped her hands. “Let us get started. Young man, you will be our runner,” she said imperiously to Kincaid.
Kincaid pointed to his chest. “Me?”
“Who else? If we need ingredients as we cook, you will be the one to fetch them for us,” Tierla said.
Zoe pushed her sleeves up. “Come on, boys.”
When they headed toward the kitchen, Tierla looped her arm through hers. “I am just excited to get a daughter too. I am looking forward to getting to know you better.”