“Hunting pillow,” I corrected him.
“It’s the same thing,” my twin rolled his eyes.
“Is not,” I said.
“Da!” Baby Andy said and leaned away from me.
I thought he wanted Mori to take him again, but he pushed Mori’s arm away and turned his head toward the window.
“Da! Da! Da!” he said and flapped his happy little chubby arms.
“Looks like we’re going out to play in the snow,” I said, hoping Wess wouldn’t feel too put out. It’s not like I could explain to my little baby that he had to go away so that Wess and I could make another one of him. Hell, was I ready for another one? The answer was a resounding --- yes!! I wanted a big family and for Baby Andy to have siblings close to his own age.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Wess
Nightshade Bear Territory
Being outside felt more natural to me than being inside a house. Sure, houses had their perks and were a great place to keep things but outside in the snow would always be home. Preston plonked Baby Andy down in a snow pile as Mori watched from the porch. I waited until they were both caught up in the baby before I circled around to the back side of the porch for a better look around. Someone was watching my mate. The feeling hadn’t gone away once we discovered Mori and Baby Andy in the window. If anything, it had intensified, itching the base of my horns. There were footsteps all over the backyard but that didn’t surprise me. It seemed the citizens of the Nightshade Bear Territory made it a habit to cut through each other’s property to get to where they were going. Still, I didn’t think the neighbors were spies.
“Maybe it’s his parents,”my bear offered up but I wasn’t sure my magic would register Preston’s parents as spies. I sniffed the air and let the cold fill up my veins. Soon, I needed to go get my ice and other stuff from Lero’s house and to properly apologize to him for not spending the winter holiday there withhim. I made a mental note to make sure I sent him something for Yule. Maybe Preston or Mori would know what he liked. Beyond the cold was the scent of bears and wolves. A dragon and a fox were tossed in here and there too. Only someone was closer than they should’ve been. Another alpha bear. A bear who smelled a bit too much like Andy for my liking.
“Well, hell,”my bear chimed off in my thoughts.“I guess the only question is if we’re gonna eat him or ice him.”
That wasn’t a question. We’d ice him. It was quicker and less messy than eating someone. A twig snapped in the trees on the far side of the yard and I took off in that direction, keeping my pace casual in case someone was watching. No need to alarm the neighbors. A nice, new winter statue never harmed anyone. The other bear didn’t back off as I approached. Metal hit my nose. He had a gun. Whelp. That wasn’t allowed here. It was like their first law and I read all their laws before coming here. Through the trees I saw it tucked away in his waistband. Not the smartest move in the world. That looked like a good way to blow your dick and balls off. Well, that wasn’t my problem. He wasn’t going to be anyone’s problem for long.
“Go away,” I said, cutting to the chase. If he wasn’t here to start trouble that should’ve been enough to get him moving. It wasn’t like Preston and Mori invited him over for tea and cookies.
“Who are you?” he spat the words, trying to sound gruffer than he actually did.
I fought off the urge to roll my eyes. Bad asses never had to pretend to be bad asses. I met guys who sang soprano who would slit your throat over their hot chocolate.
“I’m the demon who’s about to make you no one’s problem,” I said, already feeling the cold drawing deep into my core where my magic lived. My polar bear sat on his haunches staring out at the other alpha bear. My eyes shifted to his and the other bear growled. What was his name again? Vennie? Venereal? Something like that. Preston had said it once or twice.
“Uh… You think you’re special because you’re a satyr?” he laughed.
“Oh, lordy. Here we go again,”my bear face-pawed.“Not the satyr comments!”
“Why are you here?” I asked, giving him one more chance.
“It’s my turn with my kid,” he said and I almost laughed.
“You’ve never even met your own kid,” I said, leaning one hand against one of the old, tall trees. “I think you should just go.”
“Or what?”
“I’m not talking about or whats with you,” I shook my head. “I’m saying you need to go.”
“This isn’t your house,” he said.
“Is now. My omega too,” I met his gaze.
“My baby,” he said pointing to his chest.
“Oh, did your mummy send you to get the baby for her?” I asked, unable to resist sinking my voice down into baby talk.
“Look, I just want the crazy bitch to leave me alone. If she wants the baby, I’m going to get it for her. Then she can dowhatever she wants and I can get on with my life. I didn’t want to be a dad in the first place,” he rolled his eyes.
