6
Xander
Sage boundedover to me with a blinding grin on his face. “Xander, guess what!”
My expression was torn between a smile towards the kids and a frown at Sage. “What?”
“The pack’s letting you stay!”
I didn’t know how to respond to that, since I’d been in a tug-of-war since arriving. It made no difference to me either way. I knew I would survive on my own, albeit with difficulty, but I wasn’t some weakling who needed assistance. On the other hand, it was a relief that I’d have access to food, water and shelter during my recovery. And I had to admit, itwaskind of the pack to offer.
But it came with a price—spending more time around Sage.
“Xander’s fun!” Lupa called out.
“Yeah, wanna play with him!” Ashe agreed.
Their respective parents came to scoop them up, ignoring the kids’ protests.
“Xander needs time to rest without little pups and hares bothering him,” Len said with an armful of twins.
“Aww!” they both complained.
Morgan lifted up Ashe and sat him around his shoulders. “You, too, little fawn.”
Watching the omega fathers and their kids made me feel a twinge of jealousy. I felt my smile slipping as they were ushered away for naptime. Unfortunately, I had no time to brood alone. Sage plopped himself down beside me.
“You like kids, huh?” Sage asked.
“Yes,” I grumbled.
“Cool.” He paused. “You got any?”
I turned very slowly to glare at him.
“Okay, sheesh, I’ll take that as a no,” Sage mumbled. He was never quiet for long, though. “Do youwantsome?”
“Is there a reason you’ve chosen to come and annoy me?”
Sage frowned but made no effort to leave. “I’m just keeping you company.”
“I don’t need it.”
“But do youwantit?”
“Why do you keep asking me what Iwant?” I snapped suddenly. “What I want doesn’t matter.”
Sage wasn’t taken aback by my shouting. He blinked. “Of course it matters. Everyone has wants, right? Including you. Iwantto know what they are.” He grinned. “See what I did there?”
He was infuriatingly nice. I closed my eyes.
I don’t know what came over me, but I decided to answer him honestly. Maybe it would shut him up.
“Yes,” I said quietly. “I do want kids.” Sage opened his mouth, but I cut him off. “But it’s not in the cards for me.”
Sage scoffed. “What? How can you say something dumb like that?”
I raised a brow at him. “I’m dumb now?”
