Luc makes a rough sound of agreement. “I get it.”
I stare at Nik and Max, and they both glance at each other sheepishly. “I can’t believe you’re all turned on by me breastfeeding, you weirdos,” I mutter, as Leo latches on happily. “What is wrong with you?”
Bastien clears his throat. “It’s not you breastfeeding the twins that does it for me, love. It’s more like… I wouldn’t mind a taste?”
My skin flushes a furious shade of scarlet as my face burns.Is that a thing?
“O-oh. I see.”
Why am I not completely repulsed by the thought of it?
Bastien is almost as red as me, and he quickly disappears with the excuse of checking on Leah, Nikolai following him to relieve Leah of Nash duties as Max switches the telly off so he doesn’t see anything.
Leaning back, I sigh as Max steals Leo from me for winding, patting his back until he lets out a cute burp before he passes him back to me with a soft kiss on my lips.
“Maybe this isn’t the worst thing in the world,” I admit. “I could use a few days to adjust.”
“And rest,” Max points out sternly. “You’ve just given birth, Ava. Twice. Omega or not, your body still needs to heal, sweetheart.”
Grumbling, I pout at Leo, and he coos up at me, making me smile.
“All right, Leo,” I say as he waves his little hands at me. “Rest and relaxation, okay?”
ChapterSixty-Seven
Ava
My eyes fly open as the crying begins again.
That’s not possible. It’s only been… thirty minutes.
Groaning, I sit up as a rumpled Nik lifts Emery out of her moses basket. We haven’t decamped them to the nursery yet, since they wake up approximately seventy-five times a night for feeding.
Leo’s voice joins Emery’s, and I lie back as Nik positions them until they’re both suckling happily.
“Well, I’m glad someone’s getting what they want,” I yawn, stroking my hand over Leo’s head. “How long until they sleep through the night again?” I ask Nik pleadingly. He grimaces. “I don’t want to lie to you. It could be months.”
My eyes fly open where they’re starting to droop. “Months?” I’m slightly hysterical at the thought, and Nik holds up his arms placatingly. “We can try the bottles again,” He soothes. “That way everyone can take turns and you can get some more rest.”
I shake my head stubbornly. “I want them to feed from me.”
I may have become a touch over-protective. Yesterday, I shouted at Luc for taking Emery out of the room while I was sleeping, and Bastien had a telling-off for not telling me Leo needed a diaper change and doing it himself. Sighing, I rub my eyes. “I think I’m losing it,” I admit, my voice shaking. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, Nik.”
My bear alpha kneels down beside me, his hand reaching up to cup my cheek. “You are exhausted, little bird,” he tells me gently, and I frown. He holds up a finger to stop me interrupting him. “You’re barely sleeping, not eating properly, and you’re so worried about something happening that you’re overcompensating, and it’s starting to hurt you.”
His voice deepens, becoming a little firmer. “It needs to stop. You need sleep, and food, and a break, Ava.”
“I don’t need a break from them,” I protest.What kind of mother am I if I need a break from my own kids?
“Yes, you do,” he tells me gently. “Every parent does, sweetheart. You can’t do it all alone, but you’re trying to. It takes a village to raise a child, and you’ve got your village right here, aching to help you. Let ushelp, little bird.”
I’m so tired that I can barely see straight. I might be able to admit that he’s right.
Maybe.
“Okay,” I concede. “I’ll try and rest more.”
Nik raises an eyebrow at me. “And?”
