Page 45 of Wrong Number, Right Cougar

Word got out. Their friends, cousins, brothers started to come too, and now the entire summer was filled with all different generations of shifters enjoying the lake, the woods, the peaceful quiet that came from a place like this.

Frank did find his mate here, two years later; one of Gertrude’s grandsons, and they had the most adorable triplets. He wasn’t the only one who found their mates here. Peter and Paul both did as well. Paul now had two cubs, and Peter, six pups. Not to mention all the other guests who left here mated. Cougar Lake had become mate-matching central.

I pulled the shade down slightly, the sun causing a glare when Thorn came into the lobby, holding our youngest, Kenson. He was three and sitting on my mate’s hip, tears streaking his face.

“He fell and needed you.” Thorn’s voice told me there were no injuries, just a scared preschooler.

I reached over and held my arms out for him. “What’s going on?”

Kenson practically leaped into my embrace and rubbed his snotty nose against my shirt.

Ten years ago, when we first opened this place and I was still waiting for our son to be born, I never would’ve thought that having snot rubbed on my face and shirt would be an honor. But it was. It meant he trusted me completely.

“I fell.” He sniffled.

“Well, that stinks. Why don’t you show me where it hurts?”

He showed me his knee. I gave it the magical father kiss, and off he went to play with the blocks we kept in the corner here.

“We ready for today?” Thorn asked.

“I think we’re ready.”

His eyes went wide, as if I’d just told him none of the beds had been made and none of the trash taken out.

“I meant yes. We’re ready. We’re more than ready.” I had checked everything a thousand times, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want to do it one more time. “Where are the rest of the kids?”

“Dylan Brett, Willa, and Bryant are outside waiting for their cousins.” They weren’t all really cousins. There were my cousin’s kids, but also Frank’s and Peter’s kids. They grew up like cousins, spending the summer together, and the title worked.

I loved this for them. They might not be part of a pack, but they had their own equivalent, minus the political bullshit.

The door opened and Wilder bolted, managing to catch our youngest just as they were about to head out without letting us know. Each of our kids had their own personalities, and Kenson’s included being an explorer. It would serve him well in the future, but it had the ability to age his dad and me.

“We’ll see you in a bit,” Wilder called over his shoulder.

I stayed and made sure everything was ready for check-ins and waited for Sally, our desk clerk, to come in before heading outside. Sally was a goose shifter and college student who had family locally. She was the perfect fit for this place.

We’d gotten to the point where we had some regular staff now, as well as summer staff. They helped with cleaning and customer service or odd jobs we needed done. It was nice to have them. It allowed us to enjoy our life here without it being all work all the time.

My cousin had just pulled up as I left Sally to her duties. His kids tumbled—because shifter kittens—out of the car, bouncing up and down, telling their cousins about all the goodies they’d brought, everything from bubbles to kites to fishing poles.

The kites were not a good idea with all the trees, but they’d learn that soon enough.

We helped them get settled in, and once everyone else arrived, it was time for our Opening Night Picnic at the lake. We were always open, but this was the official grand start of high season.

Thorn had it catered by the local diner. It was much easier to have sandwiches and salads brought in than to try making it ourselves, especially with the chaos of check-in day. It was a great decision, allowing us to relax and enjoy the celebration.

The kids were laughing, running around, and enjoying the water. Many of the adults joined in on their fun, while some lounged on shore in both their shifter and human forms. It epitomized everything this place should be.

I stood behind my mate, my arms wrapped around him, hands resting on his belly where our newest little one was growing. I rested my chin on his shoulder.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since you strolled in here and changed my world.”

“You changed mine, too.” He leaned back into me, letting me bear his weight. “Do you think my uncle would approve?”

“No… I think your uncle would have more than approved. He’s probably chilling with the goddess, looking down at this place with a huge smile on his face.” I kissed his neck. “Cougar Lake is now a safe place for shifters to spend quality time again—and I can’t think of a better place to raise our children.”

“Speaking of…” He turned in my arms and wrapped his around my neck. “Saw the midwife today. Got a surprise for you.”

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