“That was when some strange wolves tried to break into the house.As we stayed in the shadow of the trees and watched, they kept trying to get past Harry’s wards.It would have been funny had it not shown how persistent they are.”Darren admitted.
“Until we take out the boss, they will keep trying.”Carlos declared.
“I thought we took out the top contender,” Darren observed.
“We did, but he was working with another.He’s not been identified.Until we know who he is, we can’t stop him.”Flo explained.
They continued to eat and talk until all the pizza was gone and the conversation ran dry.
“Time to go to bed, girls.Get ready, and I’ll be up in a few minutes to read you a story.”Darren said.
The girls got up and ran up the stairs.They would be ready for bed by the time he got up there.
“Congratulations,” Flo said, and Carlos repeated.
“Thank you,” Lottie replied, and he repeated.
It was a polite conversation, and he was glad his mother was waiting before she began to question either of them.There was no doubt she would have questions, and he would need to provide answers.Not just about his recent mating, but also about his ex.When the conversation occurred, it would be soul-baring.He would be in no hurry to have that talk.
“I'll catch you later.”His mother said as he rose to go upstairs and see his daughters.
As he left the room, he heard her asking Lottie if she was moving into his room, but he didn't catch her reply.Darren headed up the stairs and to the girls' room.They were in the bathroom brushing their teeth, but otherwise ready for bed.Sitting in the chair, the one that he usually read to them from, he waited for them to come into the room.There was a lot for him to think about, but he was having a hard time concentrating on any of it.All he was thinking about was how he would go to his room and wait for his mate after he was done reading this book.
“Daddy, we're ready!”Ellis declared.
They must have been waiting for him to begin reading.He opened the book and began reading to them.The books that he read to them weren't particularly long, but he was sure they would be in time.These were older books from when they were younger, and he needed to buy some more age-appropriate books.
“That's the end of the story.Now you must pay me with a kiss, each of you.”
Each of his girls paid the price, and he turned out the light as he headed out of the room.He wondered if his mate was in the room waiting for him.There was a lot to wonder about, and he thought the girls really liked her and hoped they would accept this new relationship they would soon begin to see.His girls weren't stupid, and they would realize before long that he and their nanny were sharing a bedroom.It would also be hard to hide the closeness that would develop from sharing a bed.As he opened the door, he could scent his sweet mate, and she was in bed already.Hopefully, she wasn't asleep because he had plans for her.
“I see they didn't keep you long.You really need to buy books for older children.”Lottie observed.
He leaned in and gave her a kiss.“I agree.Maybe the nanny will do that for me?”
She laughed.“Maybe she will.”
Before they went to sleep, he intended to make sleep come more easily.It was exciting to have a woman he could appreciate and who would appreciate him back.
The next morning, it was odd to wake up and not be alone.It was funny that she seemed to wake up at the same time he did.She hopped out of bed, grabbed some clothing that she had on a chair, and hurried to the bathroom.Lottie came out a few minutes later, fully dressed and ready to go.She headed out the door as he headed to the bathroom to prepare himself for the day.It felt good to be part of a couple because even when he'd been married before, they'd never been like a real couple, and he hadn't been able to depend on her.
Once he was dressed, he headed down the stairs and to the dining room.Breakfast smelled great, and he got himself a cup of coffee before filling his plate.He noticed that his mate liked a lot of cream in her coffee, but he liked his black.She had told him once that it was bitter without a little bit of cream, but he didn't mind that.
“Good morning.”Flo greeted with a big smile.“I'm glad you didn't waste any time.That's a great girl you've got there.”
“Good morning to you, too.I know I have a keeper.”
“I've got some news for you.Damon has approved an opportunity to catch the ringleader who is trying to kidnap the girls.Harry will be here soon, and she will be running half of the attempt.We'll have to be careful because she is taking a great risk.They understand that you won't be able to get on with your life until this is dealt with.That doesn't mean that you won't have to worry from now on, but only that this worry will be gone, and it is unlikely that anyone will come after the girls until they are older.”Carlos explained.
Darren had to wonder what in the world Harry could do that would lead her to the mastermind of the attempt to kidnap his daughters.He'd heard she was good, but still, it seemed impossible to bring him out in a safe manner without risking the girls.
Lottie came downstairs and slipped into a chair next to him, and in a flash, Harry appeared with a big grin on her face.“I'm so glad I didn't miss breakfast because I am starved to death, and what I'm about to do is going to take a lot of energy.”
He thought the little witch couldn't eat any more than she usually did, but this time it was like she had a hollow leg that she was stepping into.Everyone helped by passing her plates with various kinds of food.Finally, Harry leaned back and patted her flat stomach and said, “I don't think I can eat another bite.It's time for me to make a great change.Can I do it here?”Harry asked, looking toward his daughters.
Darren nodded.He'd realized that this was the world his daughters would be growing up in and that they needed to understand magic and shifters.They might even begin to understand all the other kinds that they wouldn't be living next to.He couldn't say that there was any outward sign, but he just felt the air shift, and there stood Harry, and she looked exactly like Adele.How had she done that?Could she look like anyone she wanted to?He had a feeling that she could.
“You look like me.How did you do that?”Adele asked.
