Page 4 of Fated Redemption
“I’m so happy to see you out of the coven house and with your mate!” Rebecca bounced, jerking Rhys’s head around.
“Becca,” Aleks said cautiously.
She whirled around, still partly dangling from around Rhys’s neck. “What? He’s addicted to shifter blood, I’m the only one safe around him.”
The declaration fell flat in the diner with a giant thud. Moe looked over to Rhys, whose mouth was twitching. Ashby slapped his hand to his forehead, shaking his head, and Sebastian rolled his eyes. It was Liam who broke the silence with his laughter.
Rebecca looked around, confused. “What?” She looked to Rhys questioningly.
“Nothing, ignore them. I’m happy to see everyone too.” He kissed her cheek.
Rebecca glared at Liam, who was still chuckling, and walked back over to where her son gurgled happily in the car seat next to his friends Arthur and Lucian.
Moe walked with Rhys and they sat at the table close to the children. He hadn’t had a chance to see much of the babies. They were absolutely adorable and so big already. Shifter babies grew much faster than human ones. He could see that they were already sitting up, moving their heads about and tracking movement. He smiled at the different parenting styles evident with each child.
Baby Arthur, Ashby and Gabriel’s son, had matching argyle car seat cover and diaper bag. His clothes were immaculate from his baby corduroys to his tiny, plaid, sweater vest. Even the baby’s fine downy hair seemed to be perfectly combed. His demeanor was quiet as he looked out at the diner floor solemnly.
Baby Lucian, Sebastian, Kent and Liam’s baby, had brightly colored mismatched jungle-themed accessories. He had on a sensibleOsh Kosh B’Goshsnap-up jumper with a long-sleeve T-shirt. A lion blanket lay draped across a nearby chair in case the baby got cold. He played dutifully with Kent, sticking out his tongue as if on cue.
Rebecca’s baby was giggling and waving his tiny hands about. He had aDexter’s Laboratorydiaper bag, aPooh Bearcar seat and aToy Storyblanket featuringWoodyas sheriff. His shoes were off, his shirt was inside out and one sock was missing. He had a smear of what looked like carrots or sweet potatoes on one cheek.
But, more than the other two babies, baby Aidhan exuded love. Moe couldn’t help but smile when looking at the tiny baby. He stared at Aidhan’s bright purple eyes. He looked overto where Aleks sat comfortably waving a tiny stuffed bear at Aidhan, making his son laugh and growl.
Aleks caught his look and nodded.
“We were surprised too. For thousands of years Arkadions have always had dark brown hair and green eyes. Until Rebecca.” Aleks smiled warmly.
Rebecca rubbed noses with her mate and kissed her son on the top of his head before sitting down next to her mate. “You have been upgraded,” she said in a robotic tone. Behind the counter Connor laughed.
“I think his eyes are awesome. Personally, I’m hoping any children Madison and I have get her pretty blue eyes.” Connor winked at his mate who blushed.
The diner bells chimed and a dejected-looking Rian and an exasperated-looking Damian filed in and sat down.
“What’s the matter Rian?” Moe asked.
Rian turned and glared at him. “As if you don’t know.” Rian continued to give him the evil eye.
“Ignore him, Moe. Rian has been in a foul mood for weeks. Personally, I think he just needs to get laid,” Damian volunteered.
“I would, except he broke my gaydar!” Rian pointed in Moe’s direction.
Rhys raised an eyebrow, his eyes shining with laughter.
“You did what now?” his mate asked.
Moe spread his hands in front of him in confusion.
“All those years I thought he was straight. Wasted!” Rian exclaimed.
“Rian I…” Moe started.
“All those years I could have been indulging in my fantasies of rubbing all those luscious muscles!”
“Rian!” Damian looked at his best friend, shocked, and then over to Moe and Rhys.
Moe just stared. He had no idea Rian had felt that way. Quickly, he looked over to his mate to see him chuckling.
“Now, I’ll never know what he’s packing!”
