Alaric raised his chin, sniffing. “He’s a noble and majestic wolf, actually.”
Poppy unearthed his face from Rorik’s chest and wiped away his tears. “Oh, stop fighting, everyone. Let’s all eat muffins together, okay?”
Cobalt exhaled a relenting sigh, but he strode towards Poppy and handed him the premier muffin. “Okay. But you first.”
Poppy accepted the muffin with a grateful smile. He cupped the bottom of the muffin so he wouldn’t spill any crumbs, then took a bite. It was followed by a muffled sound of surprise.
“This is so good!” he cried. “You guys did a great job.”
Cobalt and Rorik smiled. Both large men looked shy and appreciative.
“Viol, you have to try it,” Poppy urged, offering it to me.
I sighed. My mate was never content to enjoy a treat by himself, even when it was specificallyforhim.He always insisted on sharing. But that was just another way he showed his love.
I sauntered off the armchair to meet his muffin halfway. I met Poppy’s gaze while taking a bite. My brows rose as the warm, buttery taste of baked goods and fresh blueberries hit my tongue.
“Oh, shit,” I mumbled through my bite. “Thatisgood.”
Poppy beamed at me. “Just like Mrs. Sara used to make. Because, like hers, they were made with love.”
Half the room went ‘awww’ as Poppy blushed profusely.
After a pause, Muzo reached for the muffin tray and asked, “Nowcan I eat mine?”
It tooka few months for Poppy’s pregnancy to show. But when it did, I felt like a cartoon wolf with heart-shaped eyes popping out of his head. As if he wasn’t gorgeous enough, he now had the added sexy glow of being visibly pregnant.
However, unlike my horny brothers, sex wasn’t the only thing on my mind. My alpha instincts flew into high drive. In a very annoying overprotective fashion.
We were both heading downstairs for a midnight snack when Poppy took a single step towards the staircase. My overly sensitive instincts pinged.
“Poppy, be careful,” I implored.
He paused, then looked fondly at me. “I will be.”
“Let me help.”
I rushed towards him, looping his arm in mine. I glared down at the steps as if they’d committed a felony.
Poppy giggled. “You’re so funny lately.”
“I’m not trying to be,” I mumbled. “I just want you to be safe.”
He cocked a playful brow at me. “I’m on my way to get animal crackers. It doesn’t get safer than that.”
“What if you can’t see the steps past your belly?” I asked with a frown. “Holy Drake forbid, you could miss one and slip and fall.”
“I’m holding the railing.” He wriggled his fingers—clutched securely on said railing—for good measure.
I grunted as I led him down the staircase. “The animal crackers could be expired. I don’t want you eating expired food.”
“Then I wouldn’t eat them.”
“You could forget to check the date!”
He laughed again. “Good thing you’re coming with me.”
Poppy poked gentle fun at me and my over-dramatic alpha panic all the way down to the kitchen. I urged Poppy to sit down while I fetched the box of animal crackers, triple checked the expiry date, then poured them into a bowl. I also brought a glass of water in case the crackers were too dry.
