Maybe those books were truer to real life than I thought.
My own lust level was rising rapidly. I wanted more with Ulysses. I wantedeverythingwith him. Not just sex once, but a life. I wanted him to be with me and Andrew, and for us to be a family.
He said I was his fated mate. My mind was still reeling from that. Could it really be true?
I wanted it to be. Hell, I'd give up chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream for the rest of my life if Ulysses could be mine forever.
Okay, maybe that was a bit too dramatic, but you get the idea.
Ulysses parted from our kiss. He smiled down at me and stroked my cheek. It was such a small gesture but it warmed my heart. He was everything that Andrew's biological alpha father wasnot.
"I spy the hint of a frown on your countenance, Ryan," Ulysses said. "What's the matter?"
I'd forgotten Ulysses had the ability to sense my distress. It must've spiked when I was thinking about the manchild.
"It's not that important," I said, shaking my head. "Kissing you just made me think of how much my ex sucked in comparison to you."
"Andrew's alpha father?"
I rolled my eyes. "Sperm donor is a more appropriate term."
Fire lit Ulysses's eyes. "I see. I take it he's no longer in your lives."
"Nope. If he didn't ditch me the second he found out I was pregnant, I would've kicked him to the curb anyway."
"Good." Ulysses huffed in anger. "A unicorn's horn is magical, but in more practical terms it also functions as a very nice skewer."
I chuckled at the mental image. "If he ever shows up again, feel free to turn him into an alpha kebab."
"Does he at least pay... what's the term? Support of the children?"
"Child support?" I snorted. "Not a dime."
"What a useless knave," Ulysses growled. "Worry not, Ryan. I won't let either you nor Andrew go without."
"Without what?"
"Anything." He grasped my hips, pulling me closer until our chests touched. "What's mine is yours. We're fated mates, after all."
My eyes widened. "Ulysses, wait, what are you saying?"
"I will pay for whatever you wish," he said, waving a hand like it was nothing. "A stroller, books for Andrew, food, clothing. What else do you humans spend currency on? Simply name it, Ryan, and it is yours."
I recalled the thickness of Ulysess's wallet back at the restaurant. He was serious, wasn't he?
"I—I can't let you do that," I mumbled half-heartedly. The truth was it would be a massive relief. I was struggling to get by on a part-time job at the diner, since I couldn't afford professional babysitting and I didn't want to leave Andrew with Ms. Smith for so long without paying her since taking care of a child is hard work.
"Nonsense," Ulysses said instantly. "Unicorns may be solitary with our own kind, but we are fiercely protective of our families.You and Andrew are my family now, Ryan."
Tears welled up in my eyes again. I groaned and wiped them away. Ulysses's outpouring of kindness was turning me into a big, stupid sap.
"I really don't know how to thank you," I said softly, dropping my gaze to the ground. "This is more than I ever could've asked for..."
Ulysses tilted my chin up. "Just be with me. That is all I ask in return."
I smiled. "Done."
I threw my arms around him and kissed him, which immediately reminded me of another pressing issue. Literally. It was pressing against me.
