He collected the wiggly pup, who excitedly licked his face and whined.“Do you want to lie down in the cabin?I’ll watch Violet.”
“No, I’d actually like to sit here for as long as I can stay awake,” she said with a wry smile.“Violet just fed, so that means she’s fast asleep by now.Gypsy’s up for the entire night.”She cast a glance my way.“We sometimes call her wolf Gypsy.”
“Papa has you now.Let’s give your mother a rest.”Atticus strolled off, attracting admirers who doted over the little one.Catcher trotted into sight and walked alongside them, his tail wagging as he sniffed the wolf pup barking at him.
“He seems like a great father,” I said, surprised that a Vampire would want to raise children.
“Atticus is my soulmate.”Joy yawned and ran her fingers through her hair.“I don’t know how I would’ve ever done this without him.Whenever she goes to sleep, her wolf wakes up to play.So it’s literally a twenty-four-hour job.Atticus doesn’t sleep, so he takes care of her when I can’t.And the pack watches her when he goes to work and I’m too tired.”
“Did he saycabin?”
“It’s past the heat house over there,” she said, pointing behind me.“The house is noisy at night, and Atticus needs a quiet place to relax his mind.He adjusted his work hours to join us during meals, and we have lots of fun activities before bedtime.”
“Oh?Like what?”
“Movie night, game night, music, talking, Virgil’s variety hour.Tak also likes getting a fire going outside for us to gather around like we did in the early days.My packmates are wonderful.Occasionally someone volunteers to take Violet so Atticus and I can have time alone.It’s nice.She gets to bond with her packmates, and we get?—”
“Adult time,” I finished with a playful wink.“Motherhood must be challenging.”
“I’m just thankful to have a family who loves her as much as I do.”After straightening her blouse, she stood.“I’m sorry to abandon you, but I am dying to use the powder room.”
“Me too.Lead the way.”
Solar lanterns and twinkle lights illuminated the property.Once inside, Joy hustled into the bathroom straight ahead.
She gestured to the back corner on my left.“There’s a bigger one at the end of the hall.”
I walked down the shadowy hallway.The first door I passed was closed, so I kept going until I located the bathroom around the corner.After using it and freshening up, I stared at my reflection in the mirror and wished I’d worn something other than dress slacks.I’d been in meetings all morning with my colleagues, and then I had to speak with a local Packmaster prior to coming here.I loved styling myself for each occasion, and this wasn’t the right outfit for an outdoor baby shower.
After removing a small stain from my cream-colored blouse, I stepped into the hallway.
Voices from a nearby room caught my attention while I was making my way out.Curious, I entered the spacious kitchen, passing a cooking fireplace on the right on my way to the connecting dining room.I had visited their house a couple of times but never got the full tour.
“That’s it for me.”Krys scooted back his chair at a square table by the entryway.A candle flickered from the sudden movement.“I’m gonna ride out to the bar.”
“Not if her father wedged your bike in the garage like a sardine in a can,” Lucian pointed out.
“Nobody touches my bike.I parked it behind the garage.”When Krys pivoted on his heel, he noticed me and inclined his head.
I stepped out of his way and then found myself alone with the mysterious Lucian Cross.
He stared at the fat candle on the table while clearly aware of my presence.
“Mind if I join you?”I stole Krys’s chair and kicked off my uncomfortable shoes.It was cozy in here with the lights out.“You’re lucky.”
“Why’s that?”He pushed up the sleeves of his white cotton shirt.
“Let’s just say that in my line of work, I’ve seen some pretty dysfunctional families.”
He folded his arms on the table, his dark eyebrows drawing together.“Packs?”
“Now, you know I’m not at liberty to disclose private matters.It’s just a general observation.”
“Did you bring Hope a gift?”
“A colorful glass butterfly she can hang on the window.”
Lucian ran his finger through the elongated candle flame.“That’s a smart gift.”
