“A tiny creak from the bedroom door broke the silence. I turned. It was nudged open as a little head popped in, steel eyes searching the hallway. She took a step out, still wearing Dane’s oversized hoodie like a robe, her long hair a messy tangle.
“Is that her?” Ami whispered, craning her neck like she could see.
“Yeah.”
“Go be a mom! We’ll talk later.” Ami squealed before hanging up.
I lowered my phone. Dahlia padded toward me, her little feet quiet. She didn’t look afraid. There was a curious look in her eyes. She was scenting the air, her nose wrinkling.
“Dahlia,” I whispered.
She didn’t say anything, but came closer.
I crouched low, even as my muscles screamed and a sharp pain shot from my belly to my pussy. I hissed through my teeth and grimaced as she stopped in front of me. I reached out, smoothing her wild hair back.
“Hungry?” I asked softly.
She gave me a small nod, her eyes searching mine. She saw the changes—the bite marks and the way the Alphas’ scent clung to my skin, but more than that, she saw the peace staring back.
She reached out and moved messy hair back, mirroring what I’d done. And took my hand. Her fingers were warmer now, the chill gone as we made our way down the hall.
The house felt different today, or maybe it was me who was different.
When we got into the kitchen, I put her on the counter.
“What should we have?” I asked, as I pulled out eggs from the fridge. She watched my every move. I realized she wasn’t only watching me cook, she was learning how I did things—feeling it out as I had countless times before. When she didn’t answer, I tried again. “How about pancakes?”
Her eyes widened.Victory.
“Pancakes it is, but… what kind?” I asked as I walked back to the fridge. “Blueberries, strawberries…”
“Yes,” she said, her voice clear. “I want those.”
“Then those you will get.” I kept my tone light. “If I can make it, you’ll have it.”
I grabbed the bowls and pans I needed, then started cooking. The heavy sound of footsteps grew near. Kade appeared first, shirtless and yawning, his hair a wild nest. He stopped when he saw Dahlia. A soft, genuine smile broke across his face as he prowled toward us. He was shirtless, but wore checkered pajama bottoms. His shoulders flexed, his muscles moved beneath his skin.
“Morning, Ghostie,” he chirped, ruffling her hair then coming to me. He nipped at my bottom lip before heading straight for the coffee.
“Mm, good morning to you too,” I laughed. The smell of coffee wafted through the kitchen, mingling with the pancakes.
“You want one, Lumberjack?” he asked, like waking up to me in the morning was the most normal thing.
“Yes.” It was a plea.
As I stacked the first three blueberry pancakes on the plate, Uriel appeared next, looking slightly dazed. He walked over to where I was and leaned against the counter. He kissed me on the cheek, then his mark on my neck. He glanced at Dahlia with a protective curiosity. “Pancakes? I could eat all of these in one bite.”
“You should chew so you don’t choke,” Dahlia warned. The spatula in my hand froze and I laughed.
“Yeah, have some manners, Uri,” I teased. A goofy grin spread across his face as his shoulders shook.
“But I’m hungry,” he said as he patted his stomach. Behind me, Kade clinked cups together.
Dahlia crossed her arms as she gave him the side eye. “Eat slowly and you can eat as much as you want.”
“Yes,señorita,” Uriel said with mock seriousness.
Finally, Dane entered. He paused in the doorway, his gaze sweeping over the scene. He looked at me as I made Dahlia’s plate, then the child looking at the strawberries, and then hisbrothers. His shoulders relaxed, a smile pulled at one corner of his lips. He strode in like a man without a care in the world, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me into his chest. His hand slid up the back of my neck and into my hair as he leaned down. He pulled me close until our noses touched.
