Page 63 of Tangled Threads Of Fate

We both turned to Milo, who was grinning unapologetically. “What? I forgot I ordered so much. Online shopping is deceptive. It kept leading me to more things we might need. Besides, it’s fun.”

Who would have thought that a nearly seven-foot Minotaur would enjoy online baby shopping?

I looked quickly at Wren, who was still gaping. She looked panicked, and I knew it was time to get out of here before she had a real freakout.

Looking over at Sophia, I gave her an appreciative nod. “You’re right. We’ll come back with the truck. Thank you againfor receiving all of… this.” I gave Milo a stern look, but he just grinned, bending down to whisper something in Wren’s ear. Her face softened. Sweet-talking bastard—who knew he had it in him?

I only had to take one look at his face to know he was head over heels in love with her. And if I knew anything about humanity, I suspected she might be a little in love with him too.

Chapter 33

MILO

Tryp and Erus had returned to the warehouse the following day with the beaten-up truck we kept out the back of the compound. As I unloaded boxes and boxes of things, I felt only minorly guilty that I’d gone so crazy.

She still looked like she was adrift, and I hated it. I wanted her to moor herself to me, knowing that I was a safe port for her. And that started with providing for them. Making her laugh. Making her happy.

I knew I was feeling too much too fast. Teron had warned me that I was overdoing it, that I was just as likely to scare her away with my attention as make her feel safe. But for so long, I’d lived in a vacuum of darkness—years upon years of nothing, with no purpose, and no future but hoping that the end would come sooner or later.

When she’d turned up, a small spark had flickered in the depths of my abyss, and I’d found myself moving toward her like some kind of ugly fish in the deep trenches of the ocean, searching for the light. When she’d chosen me first, it had given me a duty, a reason to be the best man I could, to drag myself from the ennui that had insulated me from feeling for so long.

My life had shifted in that moment, and it had been a constant war about doing what would make her comfortable, and throwing myself at her feet in supplication.

However, now, as we stared at all the boxes, she didn’t seem particularly happy. Grateful, and a little overwhelmed, which I could understand. Even I was overwhelmed, and I’d bought most of this stuff. There were a few things in here purchased by the others, but only I’d gone overboard.

Guilt grew in my chest, and I couldn’t resist the urge to wrap an arm around her shoulders and hold her tightly to my side. The thought that Teron was right, that I would make her run away with my attention made me panic slightly.

“Don’t stress, sweet one. I’ll construct everything. You just have to relax over there on the couch and give me directions. I can even do it without a shirt on,” I said with a lascivious wink, earning a laugh that spread through my veins like a drug.

I was addicted to that sound. It was my opioid of choice.

She wrapped her arms around me, and I bundled her up close to my chest. I wanted to lift her into my arms and drag her back to my bed where I could worship her, but she was tired. I wasn’t going to add to her exhaustion.

Well, maybe I could just lick…No.Her needs came first.

So I nuzzled her cheeks, smelling Tryp on them—the fucker couldn’t go five seconds without scent marking her—but I found I didn’t mind at all. I loved them. I loved her. It was right.

“Are you mad at me? I promise, I did this because I wanted to. I wasn’t trying to buy your love. I’m excited about the babies’ arrival.”

She let out a choked noise, and I pulled back, looking down at her large, tear-filled eyes. Had I said something wrong?

Brushing her hand across her eyes, she sniffed. “I’m fine. Sorry. I just realized I don’t think anyone has been excited about the babies coming into the world, until you. Worried. Stressed.Fearful. But not excited. Not even me.” I frowned, and she continued. “I’m excited to hold them, but I’m also so fucking scared, Milo.”

Ah, this woman.“Don’t cry, Wren. You’re breaking my heart.” I kissed her cheeks. “Want me to make love to you? It’ll stop your tears, and hopefully make you happier.”

She laughed, squeezing me tighter. “You make me happier, Milo. Thank you for being excited.”

I lifted her easily into my arms and carried her toward the bed. “I can tell you that I’ll protect you all with my life. I can tell you that I’ll love you and all three babies with my whole heart and soul. I can tell you that you make me happier than I’ve been in so long. But I think it’s best if I show you all these things… with my tongue.”

She giggled and buried her fingers in my short hair. “Show me, my love.” Her words were like an injection of happiness straight into my heart, resurrecting that battered old organ and making it pump once more.

My eyes snappedopen in the darkness of predawn. I sent out my senses, trying to work out what had woken me. Wren tossed and turned uncomfortably, but she did that every night. Being heavily pregnant meant she was being used as an arena in the fight for womb space going on inside her, which didn’t often lend itself to restful sleep.

The urge to shift was strong. I looked over at Néit, who was sleeping on the other side of Wren, and his eyes looked back at me. “Something’s wrong,” he said softly, trying not to wake her.

I nodded. Slipping from the bed, I looked out the window. The darkness of the moon set made the landscape dense with shadows. My instincts were telling me there was something out there, though. I searched and searched until I saw a flash ofmovement. It could just be Cy and his unruly pack. But it felt like something else.

Another flash of movement on the other side. Nothing had tripped the wards yet, but they were circling.

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