Page 12 of Christmas Embrace

“Some things we do not control,” Kade reminded her.

“Some things we should fight for,” she countered. “I don’t care about what Logan thinks. I don’t care that Zach is lupine. Right now he’s just a baby. And he’s ours. I can’t give him back. I won’t.”

“We’ll figure this out.”

“Please,” she begged, turning to face Kade.

“Syd. I’m going to do everything I can, but you have to know.” He sighed, reaching for her. Bringing her into his embrace, he brushed his lips to her hair. “Logan’s got to take the child’s adoption through pack rules. If he gives approval to do this, it’s going to require some kind of a blood oath. The wolves prefer pups are raised within the pack. Tomorrow we should expect Logan and…”

“Don’t say it.” She knew the Alpha would come for him. The air rushed from her lungs. No. “But it’s Christmas? Where is he planning on taking him?”

“He’s going to keep him until the decision is made. He needs the agreement of Jax. Tristan. I know it’s not what we want but Zach will be safe with the Alpha.”

“No.”

“I’ll go talk to Logan again. If there is no one in his pack willing to take him, maybe we can…”

“This isn’t fair. If anyone can keep Zach safe, it’s us. You know what? I don’t care anymore. We don’t have to agree to this. We’ll leave New Orleans. Take him far, far away. Alaska maybe. No. We’ll take him out of the country. We can go to France. We can stay at Leo’s place on the Riviera.”

“Come on now, Syd. Let’s give Logan a chance. He knows we’ll make good parents.”

“We can buy a vineyard. Make wine.”

“Stop. Look at me, love.” Kade pulled away, Sydney’s wide eyes meeting his. His voice softened. “We’re not going anywhere. I swear to you I will straighten this out with Logan. He knows what just happened in the alley. For whatever reason, and we’ll talk more about it, someone…something killed all those wolves.” He glanced down toward the child and then focused back on Sydney. “Zachery could have been killed. Logan knows this. He also knows how much you love him.”

“Promise me.” Her voice cracked, she trembled in his arms. She needed to hear him say the words even if she knew he couldn’t keep the promise.

“It’s going to be all right. I’ll talk to him. You have my word. But you know I can’t go over Logan’s head. This is a pack matter. He must make the decision on his own. It’s not that vampires haven’t raised pups before, but this is a decision that only wolves can make. There is peace between us and forcing Logan’s hand could cause war. You know that not only is that not good for New Orleans, it’s not good for Zach.”

“I know that. I don’t want others brought into this either.” Sydney closed her eyes, her forehead lolling onto his chest. The thought of leaving New Orleans lingered in her mind as a last resort.

“Things will be as the Goddess intends.”

“She intends to gift us a son.”

“We must be patient. We need the blessing of Acadian wolves.”

“I’ll give Logan a chance to do the right thing, but I’m not giving him back. I can’t.” A small smile tugged at Sydney’s lips. “We’re a family. He’s home.”

“A family,” Kade repeated, his lips brushing her forehead.

Family. Having a baby had changed Sydney’s universe. Once always fearless, she spent her life giving one hundred and ten percent to the force. But with Zachery, all she could think about was hearing his laugh, taking him for walks in his stroller, reading him books.

Life had changed, and she’d protect her family at all costs. She’d kill whatever motherfucking demon was killing wolves. No one would ever touch her son again.

Chapter Four

Kade smiled as he trailed his fingers down Sydney’s bare skin, the fragrance of coconut oil in the air. After a hot shower and a glass of wine, she’d finally relaxed under his touch. Goddess, he loved this woman like no other.

He’d always known her wishes. I never want to be a vampire. But when she’d lost her battle with a demon, her lifeforce drained from her body. Kade acted out of pure instinct and desperation, turning her. He’d known it was wrong but the selfish desire to keep her superseded any thoughts of letting her die. The transition nearly killed her, but the Goddess saw fit to bless him with one more chance.

She forgave him. Sydney never lost what made her human…her soul.

When Zach came into their lives, it was fate, a gift. A pup. A lupine. Although Logan had initially given his blessing at their intent to adopt, Zachery’s birth mother’s wishes overrode all plans. When she took the child back, it was as if his heart had been ripped from his chest. But it was Sydney’s grief that brought him to his knees.

Her voice shook his contemplation and he focused his attention back to Sydney.

“I feel so bad about missing the bridal lunch today. We had all these plans. Kalli said it went well but I just should have been there.”