Page 59 of Family: Posy 4

"Hey, now," Cole said in my ear.

Mason growled, and Ash and Jayden both frowned. I rolled my eyes at them, then grinned.

"Oh, come on, Mr. Jellies, I don't mean it that way and you all know it. Tell me that you can look at Chime Karma and not be amazed at his beauty."

"Thank you," the dragon chuckled, a tiny boom at the end of each word, and I wondered how he would sound if he ever lost his temper.

Deafening,Lark said with big eyes. Like being in thundercloud itself during a big storm!

"Luna, alphas, Kon and I are happy to join your pack if you will permit this." Chime Karma nodded his head, making his fluffy mane stir like tall grass in the wind. "However, we have one concern that my boy has already voiced."

"Yes, we are aware of your dietary needs," Cole said, "and our luna has a suggestion."

Right then, a tiny, light green car came flying up the driveway a little too fast and swerved a bit before sliding untidily into a spot in the parking lot.

"Oh, my Goddess," Cole said from the side of his mouth, "Matthew did it. He bought Maria a car."

"Have mercy," Jayden murmured. "A Fiat, too."

"She'll have it wrecked in a week," Ash added. "Do birds heal as well and fast as wolves?"

"Angelo's going to kill him." Mason shook his head and raised his eyebrows.

I giggled as I watched Maria tumble out of the car. She had leaves and flowers tangled in her messy hair and no shoes on. Her eyes shimmering with excitement, she skipped up to us only to trip over nothing. Fortunately, Ash snagged her with one long arm before she could land in a sprawl at the dragon's clawed front feet, and she smiled her thanks up at him.

"Hi! I'm Maria!" she told Chime Karma. "I'm an air witch and mated to Beta Matthew Rose. My coven is building a shop just outside of pack territory. Would you be interested in a job as either our guardian or our magic clean-up and disposal unit or both?"

The dragon grinned, his sharp white teeth on display.

"Maria, I am all ears."

As they began to hash out details and terms, Cole squeezed me in a tight hug and grinned.

"Great idea, honey. Our girl is so smart."

"I think it's more about common sense," I disagreed with a blush.

"Common sense isn't so common, you know," he laughed. "Practicality is an excellent trait for a luna to have and, thankfully, you have loads of it."

A tiny smile flitted across my lips as I hid my face in the center of his chest. I didn't think I'd ever get used to being complimented.

"You're so cute when you're acting shy," he whispered as he kissed the top of my head. "Now, my love, how about we say goodbye to everyone and start our date?"

"Oh, yes!" I raised my head to grin up at him. "I'm so excited to spend one-on-one time with you."

"Me, too, baby, and I think you're going to love where we're going."

"Then what are we waiting for?" I jumped up and down in his arms. "Let's go!"

#

Cole's SUV swayed from side to side a little alarmingly, but we were creeping along the dirt road at such a slow speed that I knew he was fully in control of the vehicle.

"Almost there, honey," he told me. "Just around this next corner."

Curious about why we'd driven so high into the mountains, I eagerly leaned forward and watched to see what secret was about to be revealed.

And I wasn't disappointed when we turned that corner and I saw an amazing log and stone cabin perched on the edge of a lake. The dark brown metal roof gleamed in the sun and inviting chairs awaited us on the deck built over the water.

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