“If you’re still thinking about the money,” Carter says, studying my face closely, “would it make you feel better to know that we make more than seven figures a year between the three of us?”
I blink, not sure I heard him correctly. “Seven figures?”
He smirks. “Yeah. And now you’re wondering why we live in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, right?”
I take a moment to think about it. “Well, not really. It fits you. You need to live remotely so you don’t have to hide who you are, and this place is super cozy. I’d love to live here. It’s a beautiful place to raise a family.”
I can already imagine how our kids will run around these woods someday, playing outside and exploring. I glance out the window at the snowy forest surrounding us and don’t feel anxious because we’re so far removed from the nearest town. Instead, I feel the serenity of nature, and I know instinctively that the connection I feel with this place will only grow with time.
When I face my wolves again, they’re all staring at me, their expressions intent.
“What?” I ask.
Troy’s grip on my hand tightens. “You want to raise a family with us?”
Oh. Have I not made that clear when I decided to stay here for the night of the full moon?
“Yes.” I infuse all my decisiveness in that word, then add, “A big one. If we’re blessed enough to have kids, I’d like three at least. Maybe more.”
Sebastian’s hands land on my knees, and he squeezes me, smiling happily. “It’s not unusual for wolf pregnancies to be multiples. I have two sets of twin siblings.”
Some of my enthusiasm evaporates as I consider how much larger the guys are than me. “Er, even if the mother is human?”
“Don’t worry about that now.” Troy shoots a warning glare at Sebastian. “We don’t know if it’ll ever happen.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You just want to get me knocked up, don’t you?”
I took my pill yesterday, feeling strange about it, but I’m not sure if I should continue. It’s a big decision, one that probablyshouldn’t be made when affected by all the new-mate-madness hormones.
“Absolutely,” Troy agrees. “I told you about this. I’m only holding back because Sebastian would have cheerfully murdered me if I fucked up his Christmas present ritual.”
The earnest way he says this has me giggling. “You do know you sound mad, don’t you?” I lean toward him and press a quick kiss to his lips. “And that it sometimes takes months or even years for humans to conceive?”
Carter wraps himself around me from behind and nuzzles my neck. “Then we’ll have an incredible time trying. And if it never happens, we’re enough as a pack.”
I glance up at Troy, worrying my lip. It hadn’t really occurred to me—but would he equate my value in the pack with my ability to give them children? He wants babies so badly, so perhaps…
“Don’t even go there,” he growls. “I will love you the same if we have half a dozen kids or none, you have to know that.”
His scowl is so fierce, so sincere, I don’t doubt his words for a second.
“Okay,” I breathe. Then my eyes widen at the realization of what he just said. “You love me?”
Troy’s cheeks turn a bright shade of pink, and he suddenly seems embarrassed, his gaze dropping to his lap. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that. But you questioning yourself is not something I want to hear, ever again.”
“I love you, too,” I tell him, grinning. “I’m glad you told me.”
A pleased smile twists his lips, and he leans over to kiss me again. It might be strange that I’m kissing one man while being cuddled by another, but it feels right—everything except for the fact that I still haven’t told Carter how I feel about him.
But if I say it now, he might think I’m only repeating it so he’s not left out. From everything he’s done for me, from hisevery touch and every word, I know he’s falling for me, too. He probably just needs time to sort through his emotions.
Or maybe a little push?
“How long do we have before the full moon hits?” I squint at the kitchen clock.
Carter clears his throat behind me. “More than two hours, technically. But it’s getting stronger already. I can feel it. We’ll need to fit the bars on the windows, lock the doors, and then we’ll be ready.” He pauses, then adds, “Not that there’s any chance of us leaving this house tonight. We’ll all want to be right here with you.”
I turn around to face him. “Will you need me soon?”
