Page 13 of Big Bad Single Wolf Dad

“Oh, here,” I say, taking the kit from him. “I wanted to get a glass of water anyway.” Also, I adore watching all five kids play together so much I don’t want anything to stop them.

Greg nods. “It goes in the bathroom, under the sink.”

“Naturally,” I say with a smirk. I find the spot easily, then help myself to a glass of water. I’m halfway through it when there’s a knock on the door. I’m so relaxed and at ease that it isn’t until I open the door that I remember I’m not in my own home.

“Sarah Chapman?” the man asks for me anyway.

I blink, stunned. “Yes?”

“Sign here.” I do, and he pushes a small package into my hands. It’s addressed to me, at Greg’s house, and alarms start going off in my head. I take a peek inside and see a small note with From Eric written on top.

How did he know I was here? And why would he send it here – does he want Greg to see? I bite the inside of my cheek in frustration and turn to where my purse is hanging from the hook, shoving the package deep inside.

“Hey!” Greg says as he comes in. “Everything alright?”

I grab a tube of lip gloss at the bottom and pull it out, applying it like that was always the plan.

“Yep!” I lie. “Perfectly fine.”

7

GREG

Family has always been important to me. But I had no idea just how important blending the two of ours together would be. I didn’t set out looking for someone with kids the same age as mine, but I’ve found exactly that. And I can tell this blending is just as important to Sarah as it is to me.

It’s been a challenge, figuring out how to introduce half-werewolf and half-vampire kids to each other without any issues. And I admit that I had reservations about how successful it could possibly be. Millennia of a blood feud between the species made me feel like it might not be such a good idea. Though Sarah and I, as a human and a wolf, aren’t that unlikely of a pairing, our kids were another story. And it’s kind of a package deal.

Turns out, what I thought was a natural born instinct might just be something learned as we grow up. My kids took to Sarah’s easily, and vice versa. They seem more curious and intrigued by each other’s differences than wary. Even Ollie, the youngest of the bunch, is more dazzled by the paleness of the half-vampires than scared.

It’s a relief to think I raised them right. But even more heartwarming was seeing Mia and Ethan comfortably accept werewolf traits so easily. Even if that does make my kids a little…much. Or maybe all kids are simply like this.

“Mia, can you go grab Ethan and Lily? I think our pizza is coming,” Sarah asks. Mia nods and skips off to the arcade section of the mega family fun center. It’s not my idea of a romantic date night, but the kids insisted on going, and Sarah folded immediately.

I did too, but I at least put up an air of consideration before telling them.

“Wait, does the pizza have garlic?” Noah asks. His eyes dart between me and Sarah with concern. “Pizza sauce usually has garlic, doesn’t it? Can Mia and Ethan eat that?”

Sarah laughs and shakes her head. “That’s a misconception. One famous vampire centuries ago had a garlic allergy, and ever since then, everyone thinks all vampires can’t eat it. Now, Mia does hate garlic. But it’s alright, I checked the ingredients before we came here. She just won’t eat any of the garlic knots.”

“Phew,” Noah says. “That’s good. I don’t want anything bad to happen to them.”

“I had no idea that was a myth,” I admit to Sarah. She shrugs her shoulders while grabbing the stack of small plates, passing them out around the table.

“Most people don’t. It’s mostly harmless and easy to correct. I’m sure werewolves have plenty of misconceptions about them as well.”

I think about it for a moment. Turn into wolves, have natural pack mentalities, and dislike pure silver. All of those check out.

“We don’t sniff each other’s butts like dogs,” Ollie says, his hand raised in the air. “Daddy said so.”

I put my face in my hand over the memory that triggered that conversation. Sarah covers her mouth, eyebrows raised as she holds back a laugh.

“Ethan’s eyes hurt,” Mia announces. She’s holding the boy’s hand while they approach the table.

“Oh, honey, are the arcade lights too bright?” Sarah asks. Lily nods while Ethan shakes his head.

“No,” he says in an obvious lie. “It’s fine, I can play more after dinner.”

“You can, if you wear your sunglasses,” Sarah says. Ethan sighs dramatically but agrees.

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