“Well, then, you all better come in,” Theo said, setting down Galen before retreating into the kitchen. “You each can have one now, but the rest is for this afternoon.”
After the kitchen door swung shut, Colton smiled. “I have no idea what the noise level will be once our triplets are old enough to join the puppy pack.”
“Puppy pack?” asked Smokey.
“The Blackwood Pack Puppy Pack,” Norm clarified. “Right now, there’re five, but when you add in Rune, Lory, Lili, and Killi…”
“Don’t forget Kota and Kieran’s pups, and Alex and Theo’s cubs,” Colton said, grinning.
“So that makes…” Norm said.
“Thirteen,” Smokey muttered faintly, finishing his mate’s sentence.
“Yup, thirteen,” Colton agreed. “At least for now.”
Smokey shook his head. “So who’s the Alpha of the puppy pack? Or is that still up for grabs?”
“Jackson believes Daniel is,” Colton replied. “And that would explain why Danny is after Galen so much.”
“Keeping him in line, huh?” asked Smokey, grinning.
“Possibly,” Colton said. “Or maybe Danny just wants to play. But regardless, I really appreciate you all helping me out this afternoon. Ian needs his rest and the only way he’d agree was if I took care of Lory, Lili, and Killi.”
“No problemo,” replied Norm, smiling.
“I’ll return the favor when you have your cub,” Colton said, before heading to the stairs, eager to get back to Ian.
“C’mon,” Norm said, grabbing Smokey’s hand. “Theo’s waiting for us.”
“Wait a minute,” Smokey growled, remaining rooted in place. “What did he mean by us all helping him? I don’t recall making any offer.”
“Of course not. That’s because our mate did. C’mon, Theo can tell you all about it.”
Shaking his head, Smokey slowly followed Norm, wondering how he’d been roped into whatever Theo had planned for the afternoon. Entering the kitchen, he was nearly mowed down by two, small, naked boys chasing each other while the two olderones sat on the island countertop, quietly munching on their cookies.
Glancing up at his mates, Theo blew a lock of hair out of his eyes before asking, “Can you capture Jake and Danny and dress them for me? They love being wolves but for this afternoon, it’d be better if they’re not.”
“Sure, honeybunch,” Norm said, darting after Jake and scooping him up. Looking over his shoulder at Smokey and grinning, he said, “Daniel is yours.”
Smokey just stared at Norm, his body frozen, trying to grasp what his mate wanted him to do… but without success.Daniel’s mine? What the fuck does that mean?
“Smokey, snap out of it…grab Danny and get him dressed,” Norm ordered.
Shaking his head briefly to clear the fog in his mind, Smokey finally understood what he was supposed to do. Looking around, he saw Daniel reach for a cookie and, seizing the moment, he captured the boy in his arms and sat down on the floor next to his mate. Holding the squirming child wasn’t easy and before he could get a firm grip on him, Daniel shifted back to his wolf and slipped free. Rising, Smokey watched Daniel race around the kitchen, avoiding every attempt he made to catch him. Finally exasperated, Smokey turned to Norm, his hands on his hips. “Now what do I do? He won’t let me dress him.”
Finishing with Jake, Norm lifted him and sat him on the island countertop before handing him a cookie. Then, turning around, he spied Daniel, hiding behind the door. Pointing at him, Norm said, “Daniel, if you aren’t ready in the next three minutes, you’ll have to stay home and miss out on all the fun this afternoon. What’s it gonna be? Should I call your daddy to come get you?”
Snorting, Smokey muttered, “Like he’s gonna believe that.” But Daniel had shifted back and was running over to Norm. “You got to be shi…” stopping as Norm elbowed him.
“Jackson has a firm rule about no swearing around the kids,” Norm murmured. Bending down, Norm opened his arms and caught Daniel as he flung himself at him. “C’mon, Danny boy, time’s a wasting.”
Smokey’s eyes widened as he watched his mate quickly slip Daniel into a t-shirt, briefs, and jeans before pulling on his socks and shoes.
“There, now you can have a cookie…what’ll it be…a wolf, dragon, or bear?” Norm asked, standing up.
“A wuf! A wuf” Daniel yelled, jumping up and down.
After handing a wolf cookie to Daniel, Norm looked at Smokey. “I’m guessing you haven’t spent a lot of time around kids.”
