Page 105 of Protected By Her Mate

Zenneth is Magdalene and Rush’s second child of four. He tends to prefer his own company, but for some reason the taciturn child took a liking to his younger cousin. We suspect they find each other’s company peaceful in the face of their much wilder siblings and cousins.

“Let’s go!” Cami shouts, stepping toward the green light. “I can’t wait to shift and run with the cousins!” Cami has formed a pack with Magdalene and Rush’s twin daughters, Victoria and Clarissa, alongside Lock and Sarena’s twins, Winter and Ebony.

Magdalene smiles indulgently. “My girls are excited to see you too. I brought them to the castle this morning.”

“Are you forgetting something?” I ask as Cami takes a step toward the portal to Wolf-Haven.

“Oh right!” she rushes over and grabs her backpack, nearly overturning the go-mug I’m still holding.

I grab her arm as she tries to race away. “Not that.” I chuckle and pull her in for a hug. She squeezes me around the waist, her shifter strength evident as she pulls a grunt from me. “You too,” I say to her sister, holding my arm out.

Rhea runs at me, slamming into my legs and burying her face against me. When she releases me, I hand over her backpack. The girls hug their mother and Magdalene steps aside to let them through the portal.

Cami chatters at her sister who silently nods along as they link hands and step through, travelling to Wolf-Haven where their Aunt Sarena and Uncle Lock will greet them.

We try to do weekend trips to Wolf-Haven every few months, time permitting. Charlie and I usually go with the kids, but this time around we’ve decided to take the weekend to ourselves. Magdalene was thrilled when she found out she would get her hands on our children without parental supervision. It’s possible they’ll return to us with the ability to levitate objects. It’s always a mystery when my witchy sister-in-law is involved.

“Take good care of your sisters.” Charlie fusses over Luke for a few seconds, which is as long as he’ll allow it. “Don’t forget Cami’s allergy meds.”

“I know, mom,” he says somewhat impatiently, but then holds his arms out for a hug. “Love you.”

“I love you too,” she says to him, burying her face in his shoulder so he won’t see the tears of pride sparkling in her eyes. He’s taller than her now and with his broadening shoulders is able to envelop her when they embrace.

“Tell your uncle Rush I’ll drop by the tower in a few weeks for that hunting trip we’ve been talking about.” I pull Luke in for a strong hug.

Keenan and Vanessa haven’t had any children and as far as I know are content to keep it that way. They love their nieces and nephews though and will likely be dropping by on the weekend to spend time with them. Vanessa’s acting career is soaring and she’s in high demand. She often travels to film on-location, but when we get together for a family gathering at Wolf-Haven, she and Keenan drop everything to join us.

Luke picks up his bag and steps through the portal to Wolf-Haven.

“You two be good!” Magdalene says brightly, hugging us quickly before stepping toward the portal. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

As she disappears, Charlie reaches for her tea, pulling the go-mug from my hands. “I suspect there’s not a lot that woman wouldn’t do.”

“Which means we can get away with pretty much anything,” I say, gripping my wife by the waist and pulling her against me.

“Hmmm, anything?” Charlie winks at me.

I’m in her head so I know exactly what she’s thinking. Laughing, I take her hand and lead her to our bedroom.

After Cami was born, we realized Charlie’s apartment was going to be too small for our growing family, so we purchased the one next door, offering our neighbours a generous settlement for it. We knocked a wall down and joined the apartments. Each of the children has their own bedroom and a large, shared space for their toys, crafts, games, and books.

We moved our bedroom to the back of the combined apartments giving ourselves more space and privacy. The large space also allows us to host Charlie’s family as often as they want to come over, which is almost daily.

Our lives are busy but full and happy.

Once in our bedroom, Charlie sets her tea on her nightstand and strips her clothes off, falling onto the bed with a groan. She rolls onto her back and watches me as I pull my T-shirt over my head and unbutton my jeans.

“It’s so gloriously quiet,” she says with a grin. “Hurry up before one of them realizes they forgot something and teleports back.”

I climb onto the bed, caging my wife and taking her lips in a leisurely exploration. Though I’ve memorized every inch of her, it’s always a thrilling journey of rediscovery every time I touch her, kiss her, sink into her welcoming heat.

She clings to me as we make love, the morning sunlight spilling across us. At first soft and sensual, our desire for each other soon turns wild and animalistic. Charlie’s fingernails sink into my shoulders as I nip her breast, using my teeth to heighten her pleasure.

After, we lay next to each other, our fingers entwined, our bodies sated.

Charlie rolls to face me, brushing her fingers through my hair. Then she sits up and leans closer, which is awesome because her breasts sway in my face.

“You have a gray hair,” she whispers.

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