“Seems we have a rodent infestation,” Blaéz’s dry tone reached them. “We need to exterminate. I can do that.”
“No!” Nia yelled, pushing away from Lore and sprinting down the hall to the rec room. She swung inside, panting. “Don’t hurt them!”
Blaéz smirked, looking up from positioning his cue for his shot. “Knew that would get you both here faster, instead of you two testing out every nook and cranny in the castle.”
Right behind her, Lore snorted, and heat flooded her face. Obviously, the warrior knew what they’d been doing. Her angel’s laughter coasted in a wave of warmth through their bond.
“So, you brought us rats as a present?” Týr asked, his pool cue braced on the floor as he watched the puppies chase their tails in a dizzying display of nimbleness.
“Nia!” Kira darted into the living room, dashed to her side, and hugged her. “Týr just told me you guys are back. Do Echo and Aethan know you’re visiting?”
Nia shook her head while Barken and Chewie sniffed Týr’s boots. Chewie lifted a hind leg?—
“Chew, no!” Nia shrieked, but Lore was already there, grabbing the peeing puppy. He flashed outside with him.
“Oh, God, I’m so sorry.” She rubbed her burning cheeks. “Well, at least you know he likes you. He marked you.”
“See, hon?” Kira added, stifling her grin. “That’s great news.”
“Really?” Týr stared at his mate. “You don’t see me peeing on any of these mofos here.”
“I can pee on you,” Blaéz offered, his pool shot forgotten. “If you need evidence of my, er, affection.”
Kira burst out laughing, picking up Barken and cuddling him.
“Fuck you, Celt,” Týr grunted, setting his pool stick down. “I really didn’t need that damn image stuck in my head. I prefer the rat.”
Chewie bounded back inside, her man following. He cast her an amused look. The pup headed straight for Týr again and tried to sink his tiny fangs into his leather boot.
The warrior sighed and picked him up, locking eyes with her pet. “You and I need to have words—no, flapping your tongue out at me is not words. Number one, no damaging the leather. You get me?”
“Chewie, that’s his name,” Lore said, his mirth evident in his silver-green eyes.
“Fuck me,” Týr grumbled. “Yeah, anyway, no biting or peeing on my boots, or on any of my footwear, and we’ll get on just fine.” He glanced at them, holding the puppy close to his chest. The canine emitted a low-pitched, contented whine. “What is he?”
“A cross between a beagle and a dachshund,” Lore said, leaning against the pool table and folding his arms over his chest.
Nia sighed with contentment and pride. He’d listened to everything she said about the puppies and her work at the clinic. She should have known.
Týr quirked an eyebrow. “I thought Nia was the one finishing her internship.”
He shrugged. “She loves them, I love her, so they’re mine, too. It bodes well for you that you like our little ones, or I might have to hurt you.”
Týr laughed. But Nia’s heart expanded.
The door flew open, and Echo raced inside, Aethan behind her.
“Echo, be careful,” he growled. “You can trip?—”
“I’m fine,” she tossed over her shoulder. “Nia!” Echo hugged her as Aethan and Lore exchanged fist bumps.
He looked a little more like his old self after his grievous injury.
“Why didn’t you tell us you were coming for a visit?” her sister demanded, easing back.
Nia cut Lore a quick look, then said, “We have news.”
“You’re pregnant already?” Echo quipped.
