Page 20 of Devotion

“Or mine,” Astrid added, the steel beneath her words making my brow lift in interest.

Especially once Trouble shot her a grateful smile, even though Sunday had been the first to voice her support.

Interesting.

“Daddy, go wooo,” Eden squawked, drawing the entire room’s attention back to her.

“You want me to go ow ow oooowooo, Sunbeam?”

Eden clapped her hands, tipped her face up, and cried, “Wooooo.”

Before any of us had a chance to react, our perfect, beautiful toddler was replaced by a furry wolf pup. Tongue lolling, tail wagging, squeaky voice still howling to the rafters.

“Oh my God, my baby girl is a fucking prodigy!”Kingston shouted, pumping his fist in the air. “Not even two, and she can already shift.”

“She’ll turn back, right?” Sunday asked nervously.

Eden trotted clumsily, just like a puppy, as she sniffed the floor and collected errant fishies left by Alek. Then, before I could stop her, she snagged the hem of my trousers and tugged.

“Would you look at that? Isn’t she a chip off the old block?” Kingston said, pride ringing through his voice.

Trouble shook her head. “I’m not sure you should be proud of bad behavior.”

“Bad behavior? My girl has taste. Out of all the pant legs here, she clocked the most expensive and went to town.”

Alek let out a little sigh of relief, eyes closing as he dropped his head back on the sofa. “I’m just glad she’s giving me a break.”

“Aw, are you scared of our daughter, Viking?” Sunday teased.

He peeled one eye open, squinting up at her. “Maybe,” he admitted, holding up his thumb and forefinger. “Just a little.”

Eden gave her head a little shake and let out a high-pitched growl as she continued playing with my pant leg. Abruptly, she stopped, cocked her head to the side, and squatted in a very familiar gesture.

“No!” Kingston cried, rushing forward and scooping her into his hold. “Lesson number one, we don’t make puddles inside the house. Come on, Sunbeam. I’ll teach you how we water the trees. Then we’re going for your first run.”

Chapter

Six

KINGSTON

Eden wriggled in my arms, her furry little form a whole hell of a lot harder to keep a hold of than when she was human.

“Settle down, you slippery little pup. I’m gonna drop you if you don’t,” I warned as she yipped and whined, desperate to run.

“Here, let me hold her,” Trouble offered, already making grabby hands as she reached out. “You need to wolf out and show her who’s boss.”

Thorne laughed from the doorway. “As if that will make a difference.”

“It will. It’s a wolf thing. You wouldn’t know anything about it,” I called over my shoulder, projecting bravado I didn’t actually feel. Truthfully, I had no idea how this would go. Eden was so young, too young really, and lacked the self-preservation and respect for authority most wolves had by the time their first shift rolled around.

As proud of her as I was for being a freaking prodigy, so much about our miracle baby made her a giant unknown. I’d never say this to Sunday, but I was fucking terrified.

“Ouch! No, Edie! Bad wolf. You don’t bite your auntie,” Trouble squealed. Eden landed on the ground while my little sis inspected her freshly nipped hand. “Puppy teeth are so sharp.”

“Tessa, get her!”

Before either of us could shift, Eden was off in a blur of gray fur. She was faster than I’d anticipated and out of sight as soon as she hit the copse of trees in front of us. Knowing I’d regret it later but not wanting my daughter to get too far away, I shifted, the shredded remains of my clothes falling to the ground. Trouble took a bit more care, quickly undressing and creating a little pile she could return to later. I was off and clearing the trees before she shifted, my wolf easily identifying the scent of a new packmate.

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