Page 1 of Devotion

Chapter

One

SPOILER WARNING: THIS NOVELLA TAKES PLACE APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF YEARS AFTER THE EVENTS OF TEMPTATION AND INCLUDES SPOILERS FOR THE MATE GAMES: PESTILENCE AND DEATH. IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THOSE SERIES, YOU MAY WANT TO STOP HERE AND DO THAT FIRST.

Caleb

“And they all lived happily ever after.” I closed the leather-bound book of fairy tales and gave Eden a kiss on the top of her head. The little imp squealed and clapped her hands.

“I think she liked it.”

I glanced over to the door where my wife leaned against the frame, a small smile curving her lips. Fuck, I loved her.

“You know, bedtime stories are supposed to make her sleepy. All you did was make her giggle.” Sunday strodeinside the room and brushed her fingers through Eden’s dark curls.

“I can’t help it if she enjoys the sound of my voice. If you wanted her to fall asleep, you should have had Kingston sing to her.”

“Hey!” the wolf in question said, peeking into the room. “I resent that.”

“God in heaven, he’s like Bloody Mary. You say his name and he appears.”

“Whatchu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” Kingston sulked, his lower lip sticking out.

My frown deepened as Sunday took Eden from my arms. “My name is Caleb. If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand fecking times.”

“We really should’ve asked Santa for a sense of humor for this one, Sunshine. I don’t know how much more I can take.”

“Funny, if we were in bed, I feel like you’d be telling me exactly how much more you could take.”

Kingston let out a mock gasp and covered Eden’s tiny ears. “In front of the baby, Sunshine? So naughty. That’s worth at least, what, five spankings?” He looked at me for confirmation.

A wash of heat spread over me at the thought of reddening her arse with my palm. “At least.”

Sunday squirmed, a blush staining her cheeks. “So, about bedtime...”

“It is date night,a stor.”

“Date night? We’re not going anywhere. I am not dressed forout. This is decidedly aninoutfit.” She gestured to her flowy pajama bottoms and thin camisole.

“Darlin’, I think you look good enough to eat,” I rumbled.

“Dibs!” Kingston shouted, snatching Eden from Sunday and plopping her into her crib.

Eden wasn’t to be ignored, however. She popped up and called out, “Da!” holding her chubby arms out for me and melting my heart. I picked her up and inhaled the sweet scent of her hair.

“Sorry, Sunbeam. Daddy needs to get laid. It’s my night to be big spoon.”

It took a second for me to process his words. I was too busy wincing with the way he roughly handled Sunday as he scooped her up and tossed her over his shoulder. “Careful! Wait... your night? I thought Thorne and I...”

Kingston paused in the doorway of Eden’s nursery and tossed a wink my way. “Didn’t you hear the good news, padre? I won the bet. Thorne lost, which means I get to be the bread in a Sunday sandwich with you tonight.” He gave Sunday a swift spank. “Ready to go to pound town, baby? Population three.”

A little growl escaped me at the way the wolf was derailing all of my carefully made plans. I was going to feed, and then I was going to make love to my wife. Sure, Thorne would have been there too, but he was a vampire as well. It was different. Kingston meant... shenanigans. He was little better than one of those cartoon characters he was always watching with Eden. All bulgy heart eyes and slobbery tongue. I wouldn’t put it past him to let out an obnoxiousAwoogaheither.

I shared a glance with my daughter. “Your other daddy is a right prick.”

Eden smiled and drooled at me.

I winked. “Don’t tell your ma I said so. It’ll be our little secret.”

---