Page 82 of Wolves & Watercolors
“Ugh, hopefully not anytime soon.” She scoops up Timber and bounces the chubby baby on her hip. “We can only handle so many babies at once. Especially with Miss Fertile over here.” She jerks her thumb at me.
“Not my fault I’ve got magic,” I say, wiggling my fingers at Timber. She rewards me with a sloppy, wet smile.
“Did you get ultrasound pictures?” Marigold asks, leaning toward me excitedly.
Sinking down beside her, I dig them out of my pocket. She snatches them and the row of black and white photos unravels, hitting her knee.
“Okay, I don’t know what I’m looking at. Mine don’t look like this. Our last set looked like a jelly bean.”
“Well, you only have one baby, don’t you,” I grumble, pointing as I count out all three little blobs and point out where you can see arms and legs.
“You poor thing,” she says, rolling her lips inwards to stop her smile.
Taking my ultrasound scans back from her, I look over the images fondly. A few more months, and I will have my hands full.
“We’ll help you, don’t worry.” Marigold says, rubbing her hand over my thigh and knee.
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “Cedar is so excited for daddy duty, I don’t think any of us will get a chance to do anything. He’ll make Slate look like a slouch.”
Hazel huffs a laugh. We all know Slate’s attempts to handle every single diaper change and baby task possible, though Timber only wants Hazel right now.
Marigold sighs. “Jasper too. He found those baby dolls from the shower and was practicing diapering and swaddling.” She covers her mouth, eyes crinkling as giggles escape her.
“He’s ridiculous,” I say.
“But so hot,” Marigold says dreamily.
Ember sinks onto the last spot on the sofa, between Marigold and Hazel’s spot in her armchair. “Ugh, you guys are so mushy.”
“Get used to it,” Hazel teases.
“I’m happy being an aunt. Thank you very much.” Ember reiterates, eyeing Timber from where she sprawls across Hazel’s lap. She grabs her mother’s shirt and lets out a whine.
“You just ate!” Hazel says, frowning. Timber reaches again, pinching Hazel’s breast. “Oh fine.” She settles Timber against her to feed.
“So how was the Alpha Counsel yesterday?” I ask, looking between Hazel and Ember. My understanding is limited, and Cedar doesn’t care for politics, but the annual meeting of all the local packs’ Alphas seems to be a serious event.
“It was fine until Zephyr started simping over my mom in front of everyone.” Ember sticks her tongue out and pretends to gag.
Hazel barks out a laugh. “I’m sorry you have to deal with her, but you have to admit she’s far more tame than before.”
Cedar has told me about Ember fighting to become Alpha after her mother was deposed in a mutiny. It sounded like a bloody affair.
“I can’t believe her,” Ember says, crossing her arms and slouching back into the sofa cushion.
“Alright, that’s enough politics for girls’ night!” The room relaxes as the stressful topic is dismissed.
“So what kind of trouble should we get into tonight?” I ask, grinning.
“I have a few ideas,” Marigold says, her own smile widening.
An hour later, we’re breaking into Crickett’s kitchen to steal snacks. Well, we use Hazel’s key, so it’s not exactly breaking and entering. Marigold keeps laughing uncontrollably, but Hazel wears Timber in a carrier over her chest so her hands are free to grab Marigold and cover her mouth.
Ember pushes the door open and slips inside. I’m right behind her, leveraging the door wider to fit my curves. Hazel and Marigold follow, but we all stop right inside the door.
The front of the diner might be dark, but we failed to notice the kitchen light on.
“What the hell are you guys doing?” Crickett asks. She stands with her hands on her hips, her apron smudged with red.
