Maxim was jealous of the trio. Decebel had what everyCanis lupusmale dreams of: a family.
“And what the heck, Tiny Tim?” Jen turned to the little boy who’d come in first. “You’re supposed to be keeping an eye on her.”
“Sorry, Aunt Juniper.” The boy snickered. “Making up names is fun. I see why you do it now.”
“Titus.” Costin motioned for the boy to come to him. “Don’t encourage Aunt Jen to continue to call you the wrong name.”
The child skipped over to the male and threw himself into his arms. “Okay, Daddy. I’ll try not to. But I like calling her other names, too.”
“Cuz you’re not a prude like your parents.” Jen followed Decebel back to his spot against the wall. Thia patted her dad’s face and giggled when he pretended to bite her fingers.
“Who’s the new guy?” Titus released his hold from Costin. “And why does Mommy look like she’s meditating?”
“I’m Maxim,” he said to Titus. “And I believe your mom is attempting to keep my mate from dying.”
Titus’s brow rose, and understanding lit in his young eyes. He shouldn’t understand what Maxim was implying, but he did. “My mommy is good at saving people. You can trust her.” Titus lifted his chin in challenge.
“I do, little warrior,” Maxim told the boy. “Gypsy healers are remarkable supernatural beings. It’s an honor to meet the pup of one.”
Titus’s smiled. “My uncle Gavril is teaching me to be a warrior. I’m going to be the best.” He glanced at Fane. “No offense, Uncle Fane.”
Fane’s lips lifted. “None taken, and I expect to see you as the best one day. Keep working like you have been, and you’ll be able to best me in no time.”
“Titus,” Jacque spoke up. “Does Aunt Rachel have Slate?”
The boy nodded. “Yes. She asked me to go after Thia when she escaped the playroom. Slate was eating and contained in his highchair.”
“Thia,” Jen ground out. “What have we discussed about escaping the playroom and Aunt Rachel?”
“No get caught,” Thia said proudly.
“Exactly.” Jen tossed her arms up. “What the heck happened?”
“Tie–Tie fast.” Thia looked over at Titus and frowned. “Slow hell down.”
The room erupted into laughter at the little she-wolf’s declaration to the boy.
Titus tilted his head, looking very much like a wolf. “No. You get better at slipping out undetected.”
Thia stuck her tongue out at Titus. He didn’t seem bothered in the least.
“These are two of five pups in our pack. Two others are in the playroom/nursery, and the other stays at the Warlock fortress with his parents.” Fane looked at Maxim. “We’re expecting two more.”
“Pups are a blessing from the Great Luna. You have found favor in Her eyes.”
“They’re a blessing and a curse,” Jen said. “Just wait ’til you have one, and she’s yelling profanities as she strips and runs down the hall.”
“Maybe she wouldn’t do those things if you didn’t provide such a shining example,” Crina offered.
Jen thought about it for a moment before shaking her head. “Naw. It’s not worth giving up my wicked ways. I’ll just have to hope the rest of the village that’s helping me raise her will teach her to do as I say, not as I do.”
“Thanks for that responsibility,” Elle, the fae female, said.
“Dude, I’m preparing you for parenthood,” Jen pointed out.
Elle held up a hand. “Or you’ve just showed us a good reason for birth control.”
“Ohhh, burn.” Adam laughed.
