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In front of the windows was a small loveseat—a perfect spot to sit with your coffee and watch as things began to awaken in the mornings or nestle down for the evening. The wall the door leading to the hallway inhabited had two tall chests of drawers. The right wall had two doors on it. One to the primary bath and one to the walk-in closet big enough for two.
A cedar hope chest nestled at the end of the bed. A piece my granddad had made that had been passed down in the family. Being the oldest of four boys and no girls, it came to me when my father died since none of my brothers wanted it. They didn’t want to be lugged down with things as they took off to find their own corner of the world.
The décor was a muted gray and burgundy. The colors swirled together on the bedspread, and the roman shades that could be drawn down the doors were of the same material. The floor was hardwood throughout the house, including in my room. I had two light gray shag rugs, one on each side of the bed in front of the matching nightstands.
I hadn’t gotten around to decorating much more, and as I glanced about, I realized how empty and lonely it seemed. I shook off the sudden feelings of inadequacy and pulled a duffel bag out of the closet. I grabbed clothes out of the dresser and a few hygiene items from the bathroom. Amelia stood in the middle of the room when I walked back out.
“Your room is huge!” She walked to the glass doors and opened one, sauntering out onto the balcony. “This is amazing... I can see you enjoying a morning coffee or evening cocktail out here.” Amelia’s scent wrapped around me as it continued to meld with my own. My panther surged forward, catching me off guard, and I had to grit my teeth as I fought for control. He didn’t care. Our mate was in our bedroom, and he wanted to claim her now! I breathed through the strain, forcing my fangs to recede. He finally relaxed and let me stay in control. I had to take a few more breaths to calm the raging hard-on tenting my pants. Jeans...I needed jeans or some other more constrictive pants.
“I’ve done that quite often. It’s the perfect size for three, don’t you think?” I quickly pulled out a pair of my tactical pants and a pair of boxer briefs. I was finishing buttoning my pants when she spoke again.
“About that, Miguel.” She walked inside and closed the door.
“Don’t say anything now. We have time to figure it all out.” I couldn’t handle the rejection I saw swirling in her eyes. I needed her to see what was right in front of us. “I’ve got what I need.” I hauled my laptop bag onto my shoulder and grabbed my duffel.
“I’m ready, Uncle Mickey,” Molly announced as she entered my room, dragging her overflowing book bag behind her.
“All right, squirt.” I made my way over to her. “Let me take that for you. Hang onto Aunt Amelia until we get to her place.” I looked over my shoulder and gave Amelia a wink.
They followed me down the stairs and out onto the porch, waiting while I locked up and secured the alarm system.
“Will Uncle Niko come, too?” Molly’s attitude had made a drastic improvement over the last half hour or so. It was like she flipped off her fear and flipped on her normal happy self. I tucked that away to let Kat know when she and the rest finally made it home.
“No, he had to go meet with a few people and prepare for Leo and DJ’s return.”
“Oh yay! The babies will be back, too.” Molly clapped her hands together, letting go of Amelia altogether. She jetted ahead of us.
“Slow down. Stay with us,” Amelia yelled. “She seems to have bounced back already.”
“Yeah, kids can do that, I’m told. I’m still going to point out the sudden mood change to Kat, though, and let her decide if it’s something they need to talk about in a session.”
“Yes, and we all still need to keep an eye on any mood shifts that happen.” Amelia turned her head to me. “You really love her, don’t you?” Her surprise showed on her face.
“Of course, we all do. Children are precious gifts to any pride or pack and are treated as such. They not only have mom and dad, but a really big family filled with aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.” Amelia threaded her arm through mine and gave me a quick squeeze as we walked. Just her touch excited me, had my blood pumping faster, and visions of the three of us naked, sweaty, and marked. I took steady breaths as we walked, fighting to keep my body in check.
We followed Molly to the steps of Amelia’s house situated next to DJ and Kymber’s. The inside was bright and inviting. The living room was to my right and painted a sea green with blue hints throughout the walls. The windows faced the front walkway and were framed by curtains with small flowers on them. They were pulled open, allowing the sunshine in, but it looked like she could close them completely so no one could see in after dark. Her furniture was a soft caramel color. A couch and recliner were angled together for the best viewing angle of her flat screen T.V. The wall directly across from the windows was filled with three floor-to-ceiling bookcases brimming with books.
Straight ahead was a staircase leading to the second floor. To my left was the dining room, and as I peeked in, I saw it led into a cozy kitchen painted a buttercream yellow and just as inviting as the rest of the house. I hadn’t gotten a chance to really look at her place when I grabbed her clothes.
“Here,” Amelia placed sheets, blanket, and extra pillow on the couch. “You can stay here.”
I could feel both her excitement and nervousness at having me in her space.
“Uncle Mickey, can you bring my books up to my room?” Molly’s voice echoed down to me.
“I’ll bring them to you, sweetie,” Amelia called back, reaching for the tote.
“No, I want Uncle Mickey to. I want to show him my room.”
Amelia squinted her eyes at me. “Up the stairs, first door on the left. Go straight there and back, no snooping.” I felt a nervous energy radiating off her as I walked by.
There was a knock on the door that took her attention from me. I heard Betty’s happy voice as I walked up the stairs. A quick tour and Molly was rocketing back down the stairs, and I followed at a slower pace enjoying touching surfaces I know my mate had touched many times.
I did as Amelia requested and settled down on the couch after making sure one last time that her front door and windows were locked. Molly had gone to the kitchen, and cookies were being made. I grabbed my laptop and caught up on emails and other small things that needed my attention. The soft tittering of voices as they moved around the kitchen was the perfect background. I finished up my work as Betty walked out of the kitchen.
“That should tide you over for a day or two if Miss Molly can follow directions and only have a few at a time.” Betty hugged Amelia and then bent down for a big hug from Molly. She waved to me as she left. “Good to have you here, Miguel. I feel better knowing these two aren’t completely alone.”
“Betty!” Amelia chided and laughed as she returned her hug and closed the door behind her. She leaned down, and I heard her whisper to Molly, “Why don’t we read in my big bed?”
And Molly’s reply, “With all the pillows? Yes, pwease.”
Warmth settled into my soul as her little feet pattered above me. The craving for my own cubs grew stronger. Amelia’s emotions responded to mine as our bond grew stronger each day we spent with each other. Our animals fed into our human desires making it difficult for me to stay downstairs when my two favorite girls were upstairs. I couldn’t feel Amelia in the regular sense of a mate bond. I couldn’t feel her heartbeat or hear her thoughts, yet I took comfort in the emotions I was feeling through the tribond we were developing.
