Page 39 of Family: Posy 4

Of course you would.Mymate is as perfect asyours, after all.

On a soft snort of amusement, my boy drifted back to sleep, and I stroked Lark's hair until she stopped shaking and her breathing evened out.

"Quartz?" she whispered.

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

I inhaled deeply, but that wasn't the only reason my chest swelled.

How?I asked, shaking my head.How can one tiny she-wolf turn me -me!- into a pile of mush?

"I love you, too, Lark. You are my life."

"And you mine."

"Get some sleep, my dear little mate."

"Stay with me?" she mumbled, already more than half asleep.

"Always."

"Promise?"

"Promise. You're stuck with me until I draw my last breath and return to the Goddess."

A tiny snore was her only response, and I chuckled before I, too, allowed sleep to claim me.

#

The next day, after a lazy morning, Posy asked Jayden if he would take her to the park. She wanted to feed the ducks. Don't ask me why; those things were terrorists with feathers. Lark, on the other hand, wanted to chase them, and that was more my idea of fun.

So Jayden picked up some sandwiches and whatnot and drove us to the park, where they spread out the old blanket he kept in his SUV for such things. They chatted and ate, and Posy did indeed feed those little bastards a handful of birdseed Jayden bought her for a quarter at one of those dispensers that the park people installed around the river last year. Apparently, people had been feeding the ducks too many things they shouldn't eat, and some well-meaning animal activists advocated for cracked corn and birdseed in dispensers.

Me, I figured it was survival of the fittest. If a duck was dumb enough to eat bread and not forage, let it fall over dead. Those winged rats weren't good for anything but a quick snack, anyway.

Posy, however, thought they were adorable, especially the wood ducks with their colorful feathers and little curls at the backs of their heads, so I kept my thoughts to myself and stayed out of it as Jayden gave her quarter after quarter until we were surrounded by the little sons of bitches.

By then, Lark was busting a gut to chase them, and it didn't take long for Posy to give in and shift in the public bathroom.

Good thing the park is nearly empty at noon on a Monday, Jayden chuckled.Our girl looks enough like a young dog, but I didn't bring a leash or collar for her.

Did you bring her toy?I asked Jayden as my girl pranced toward us.

Of course. I'll get it out after she has fun with the ducks.

Yeah. Let her eat as many of the nasty quacks as she wants to.

You're afraid of ducks?Jayden laughed.Oh, my Goddess. How did I never know this?

I am not afraid of ducks!I roared. I am not afraid ofanything! I am an alpha wolf! I have ripped out more throats than anyone in our pack save Dad and Papa! I fear only one thing in this universe, and it is not some pathetic, ill-natured waterfowl!

I'm only joking. I know you're disgusted by them, not scared of them.He grinned broadly as Lark cannon-balled into his legs and he leaned down to pet her.But now I'm curious. What is the one thing thatdoesscare you?

I snorted and remained silent. That was none of his business.

Thankfully, he got the hint and let me be as he cuddled and petted Lark and played with her. When she grew tired of chasing the ducks, he brought out the dog toy I'd got for her at the pet store and she happily bounced around, barking at him.

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