Her husband’s lean, lithe form always made her soul flutter a little when she looked at him. He was five-eleven and a few inches taller than her. But even compared to someone like Peyton or Trent, he definitely held his own in terms of presence. Some of the wolves, like Beck, were big and beefy, brawny, and it showed in their wolf forms, too.
Then others, like Joaquin, were deceptively slender, but wicked fast and just as strong in other ways. She’d watched Joaquin and Beck spar plenty of times, and her wolf could hold his own against the larger man without any trouble.
“I need to get moving,” she said when he started to nibble the nape of her neck again. “You’re gonna get me in trouble.”
He chuckled. “I can’t help it, love.”
She reached down and goosed his cock, making him flinch. “Behave,” she told him.
He rumbled a little, deep in his throat, but gave her another quick kiss. “Fine, but I’m going to be stalking you for a nooner later. You realize that, don’t you?”
She smiled and rubbed noses with him. “I’ll probably be ready for one by then.”
Fifteen minutes later, they were dressed and heading across the snowy backyard from their guest cabin. Sure enough, Nami was already at work in the kitchen with Gillian, Asia, and Ken.
“There you are,” Nami lightly scolded. “’Bout time you two got up. Malyah, get yourself over here and start the biscuits.”
Malyah playfully saluted her. “Yes, General Sis.” She headed to the sink to wash her hands.
Food was love, in their family. Always had been. Even when they had very little, Nami had always managed to find enough food for them, and meals were a family event. Even as they got older, they still had Sunday dinners together.
Now their Sunday dinners were much larger with their new family in attendance. They’d soon grow even larger.
She and Joaquin had their own house now and took turns hosting. One day, she hoped their home was as busy as Gillian and Peyton’s was, with friends and family in and out all the time. The kind of home she wished they could have had growing up.
There was nothing but love here, and it always gave her hope for the future, even though she knew there were shadowy threats the Enforcers were keeping their eyes on.
She wouldn’t let that worry ruin today, though.
Everyone showed up for breakfast. While Nami insisted on helping out in the kitchen with clean-up, and Beck in there helping her, Peyton, Trent, and others silently started moving presents and hanging decorations in the living room. They stationed several shifters standing in the doorway between the living and dining rooms to hopefully help block her view.
Then, with Dewi’s “assistance” using Prime powers, they sent little Bebe into the kitchen.
“Auntie, Auntie!” she giggle-shrieked. “Come see! come see!” She threw her head back and let out an adorable howl before grabbing Nami’s hand.
Malyah nearly burst out laughing when Nami and Beck exchanged nearly identical confused looks before following the toddler through the dining room…
And everyone called out, “Surprise!”
Malyah found herself blinking back happy tears of her own to see Nami’s stunned shock, both hands flying up to cover her mouth and Beck’s happy laughter as he pulled her in for a hug.
Even for Nami’s wedding, she hadn’t been the sole center of attention, and had a bum ankle to deal with, too.
This morning was all about her. Malyah had helped Gillian and Asia with the arrangements, and there would be no silly, embarrassing games. That totally wasn’t Nami’s jam.
They got Nami and Beck seated on a love seat so they could start unwrapping presents. Malyah stood back and let Lu’ana and Beck’s mom take charge.
Joaquin walked up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders, leaning in close and speaking to her through their mate bond.“One day, that can be us, my love.”
She reached up and patted his hand.“Not yet. Too much I want us to do first.”
Nami looked truly happy, her face literally radiant with a joy Malyah couldn’t ever remember seeing her older sister wear before.
Beck had been damned good for her in more than one way.
She leaned back against Joaquin.“She’s earned this happiness the hard way.”
“I’m certain she does not begrudge raising the three of you.”
