AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He nodded, standing easily with his mate in his arms and carrying her towards the house. “Lily has her own room upstairs. I will put Lexi in mine.”
I followed him, feeling the mixture of confusion and determination of the people behind us.
Coming back downstairs, I saw that everyone had come back into the house, including the new arrivals. Even Stet and Betta and Renth were in there.
I made my way over to the lecanifer and dropped onto the floor, relaxing against his side. I felt a wave of healing energy flow over me and rubbed his shoulder in appreciation.
Tamerin and Belesh were sitting next to each other on the couch, talking in their language, their excitement clear in their tone and gestures. I only recognized a word here or there because Tamerin had taught them to us when Lexi and I had first found him.
Holden stood behind them, smiling, listening in. I wondered where her daughters were when I heard giggling. Three tousled heads came running around the room dividers, heading in a straight line for Renth.
I scooted away from him as they jumped on the beast, chattering as they bounced on his back. They threw their strong little arms around whatever part of him they could reach.
Hope, who had won his neck, held out a gigantic piece of ham she must have stolen from the kitchen. The lecanifer took it from her fingers, his lips gentle.
Belesh turned and stared at the girls in surprise.
Tamerin pointed at them, a huge grin on his face. “Our grandnieces,” he said in English. He then directed her gaze behind them at Holden. “Our niece. Shalen’s daughter.”
She must not have noticed Holden until then. Jumping up, Belesh rushed around the couch, halting directly in front of Holden. She held her breath as she searched my foster mother's face, her hands trembling mid-air as if she wanted to touch her but didn't dare to.
“Welcome, sister of my father.” Holden first said the words in the Universa language and then again in English.
Belesh gasped and wrapped her in a tight hug, crying with joy.
Tamerin grinned, watching his sister with his niece. I could tell it thrilled him he had a family once again. He looked over at me and one eyelid dropped into a slow, but amused, wink.
I returned his grin, but the sound of plodding footsteps on the stairs cause my eyes to snap away from him.
Lexi appeared, yawning, as she stopped near the bottom. Lark leaped up and ran to her side, throwing his arms around her waist, while placing his head on hers, his eyes closed as he breathed her in.
Anticipation filled me, watching them. I wanted my own reunion and my mate at my side.
Lexi’s eyes met mine. “She’s coming, Soren. She wanted to take a shower.” My sister rolled her eyes at me before giving me an impish grin. “I guess she wants to be beautiful for you, now that you are of age.”
Both Holden and Shane turned to stare at her, those last words sinking in. Then together, almost as if they were one, their faces darkened as they realized what that would mean.
I shook my head. “This is why Lexi and I went to that planet. We needed to be older. No more waiting. We lived those years and are not children anymore.”
I stood up and went over to the base of the stairs, staring at my sister and her mate.
“No, we are not underaged anymore.” She first met my gaze before turning to look up into Lark’s eyes. His shone with love and lust, as he counted the time when he could be alone with his mate.
Lily appeared above us, smiling down at me as she crooked one finger in a come hither manner.
I grinned, not even seeing anyone else as my eyes locked on her, rushing past the other couple as I went to join her.
Lexi giggled.
“Don’t you dare start something now, Soren!” Holden called after me. “Dinner will be ready in a half hour!”
Maggie shouted from the kitchen. “Take as much time as you need! I will make sure you will have food.” She popped her head out the door, looking down the short hallway. “Holden, mother your younger daughters. They still need you. Your older triplets are now adults and are out of the house, but those three hellions? They should keep your hands full.”
She pointed her wooden spoon at the little girls who were now putting tiny bows in the lecanifer’s mane. The look on Renth's face, as far as anyone could tell, was one of patience and a bit of embarrassment. The little imps were giggling as they climbed all over him.
Belesh peered at the enormous beast, as if seeing him for the first time. “A lecanifer! Where did you find him? Is he bonded?”
Renth answered her, projecting his words to everyone here. Hello, Belesh. You can call me Renth. A mishap left me on the same world that Soren, Lexi and Tamerin found me on. And yes, I have a bond with the young witchling.
