Page 64 of Her Second-Hand Mate

Penelope had a front-row seat to my irritation, so she took Gabriel from the blanket and said, “Maybe a few family shots now, Anthony?” while tilting her head at me.

“Oh,” Anthony finally lifted his head from his camera long enough to notice how pissed off I was. “Sure.”

I took my pup in my arms and tried consoling him, but he was too upset. Soon, both Penelope and I were cooing above him,trying to get him to smile, which was his latest accomplishment that we were both obsessed with. He did, and then the two of us looked at each other in triumph.

“These are going to be beautiful,” Anthony remarked, ruining the moment.

While Penelope was bringing out the snacks and the rest of her friends were getting ready for their own photos with Gabriel, I pulled Anthony aside.

“Develop those prints for me as soon as possible. And any other shots of me and Penelope you might have from previous pack functions. I’ll pay you.”

The little prick laughed, “I got you. I have a lot of great photos of Pen. And you looking at Pen,” he winked and went back to the living room.

“How was the rest of today with your friends?” I asked Penelope that evening after we’d given Gabriel his bath.

“It was great. The females offered me two weekly visits for the next two months while you’re at work, and I can choose what I want each time – sleep, cleaning, company, or babysitting. Isn’t that great?”

I thought about it for a second, and I had to agree.

“With his behavior during his last growth spurt, that is the best gift anyone could have given you. I honestly don’t know how you did it.”

During those few days, he was latched onto her breast for what felt like hours at a time. She once even went to the bathroom with him still latched onto her breast.

“What about you? Did you have a good session with Vera?”

“I’m sorry about that. My offer to block my feelings during that stuff still stands.“

“It doesn’t bother me. It surprises me, and it hurts – but only because you are hurting. And I’d rather know, I already told you that.”

“I know.”

“As difficult as the anguish is, the love you feel when you are with Gabriel makes up for it all,” she said dreamily.

“I’m obsessed with him. Let’s not tell other parents, but our pup is by far the best.”

“No contest,” she laughed. “You’re a surprisingly involved dad.”

“I’m not surprised you’re surprised, based on what you know of me as a mate. But my dad was the best. He was always doing things with me, indulging my need for tinkering with things by teaching me about cars. I want to be like him, but I’m also terrified of repeating history.”

“What do you mean?” she frowned.

I swallowed.

“I’m terrified I’m gonna die and leave Gabriel fatherless. I know what that did to me.”

“I can understand that,” she started saying, and then her face shuttered like she suddenly remembered who she was talking to.

As wonderful as these late-night conversations were for me, for her they were probably reminders of what our life had lacked before. Or rather, what I had denied her before. Maybe now she was the one who had to protect herself from the hurt. I could understand that. So I stood up.

“Well, I’ll let you rest. Sleep tight,” I said and returned to my empty room.

15 - Dominic

“How has Penelope been behaving toward you these days?” Vera asked casually.

I took a deep breath as I thought about my answer.

“She’s been perfectly nice and agreeable like she is with everyone. She doesn’t have it in her to be unkind. It’s why I... why it’s so annoying,” I frowned.

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