29. MaiaChristopher
29
MAIA
“ O h, my god, look at you rolling!” I gasp, watching in awe as Phoebe moves from her back to her tummy. She raises her head, her bright grey eyes looking at me, as she babbles. “You are so smart. Look at you go!”
I gasp again as I hear one of the guys shout at the other downstairs, and guilt fills me. “Oh, no.”
I jump to my feet, rushing over to the door, and shout for the guys to get up here. They stampede up the stairs, and I roll my eyes as I hear them fighting and pushing each other on the way up, but I don’t care. I move back over to sit down with Phoebe, beaming at her, not wanting to even blink in case she rolls again.
“What is going on?” Topher demands, getting into the room first. He spots Phoebe on the floor, on her tummy, and looks at me with a raised eyebrow. “Why the shout?”
“Why are you so excited?” Ben asks, sneering at me. “The only out of place thing is you.”
I give him a dirty look. “That was rude.”
He frowns. “How? Your hair is a mess, and you’re missing a sock. I was just saying?—”
“Maybe don’t,” I mutter, looking back at Phoebe, and the excitement fills me once more. “Anyways, I called you here to come and watch Phoebe .”
“Watch what?” Topher asks.
I gently roll Phoebe back onto her back and beam at the guys as if it’s obvious. To their credit, the four— three. Ben doesn’t try— of them pretend they’re interested and understand what I want, but I can see an identically confused face on each of them.
It’s actually quite comical.
“Show your daddies how you roll,” I say, beaming down at my little girl.
“She rolled?” Seb demands, barging over to come and crouch down next to her.
“Daddies?” Topher says.
“Fuck off,” Ben gasps, just as quickly coming to sit down with Seb and I. “Come on Pheebs, do it again. Show Daddy Ben how you roll. You are such a smart girl, able to roll onto her tummy. Show me, show me.”
“She’s not going to do it again if you’re all staring her down,” Alex says with a grin. He moves to sit on the edge of my bed and watches from up a height, but he is just as interested in the act as the rest of us are in seeing her move.
“Come on, baby,” I say encouragingly. “Show everyone how good you are at rolling over.”
“Show Daddy Seb,” Seb demands, inching down to make eye contact with her. She just giggles, trying to grab at his face.
Topher snorts and comes to sit on the arm chair. “She’ll do it in her own time.”
“She just did it,” I say, a little disheartened. “I feel so guilty I got to experience it and you guys missed it.”
“Well, you can go sit in the cupboard when she’s close to a next milestone, and it’ll make it even,” Ben says. He taps Phoebe’s hand, and she babbles to him. “Can you show me how you get onto your tummy? Look, copy Daddy Ben.”
He rolls from his tummy onto his back .
“That was the wrong way,” Topher says dryly. “Now you’re confusing the poor pup.”
Phoebe softly starts suckling on her hand, and I sigh. “She’s hungry, guys. No more rolls to be seen.”
“Aw,” Seb murmurs.
“Why didn’t you record it?” Ben demands, glaring at me.
I laugh. “I didn’t expect her to roll. It’s quite early, actually.”
“Early?” Alex asks, and I nod. “How early?”
“Most human babies aren’t usually rolling until around four months or so? Typically?” I shrug. “I’m not too sure. I’ll check with the midwife, though.”
“She’s just a smart cookie, aren’t you, Pheebs?” Ben says, beaming at her.
She clenches her fists, sucking on the left one that much harder.
“But it’s booby time,” I say, scooping her up from the floor. I move over to the bed, accepting the hand from Alex, and get us both situated. She latches pretty fast, and I narrow my eyes, looking at each of the guys. “Are you just going to watch?”
“No. Sadly, I’m in the middle of a meeting and should probably get back,” Alex says, with a heavy sigh.
I gasp, doing my best to cover my heated cheeks with one hand. “Did you leave in the middle of it to come and see?”
He shrugs. “You were excited. You come before any crappy meeting.” He leans in and kisses my temple before standing back up. “Give me a shout as soon as she’s done feeding and back on the floor. Or even better—bring her downstairs so I can watch and work at the same time.”
“I’ll move the coffee table for her,” Topher adds. I smile in thanks, and he and Alex leave. Seb kicks Ben, who groans and stretches out on the floor.
“You’re a dick,” Ben snaps.
“No fighting or you’re both being kicked out,” I warn, and Ben scowls but jumps up to come sit on the bed with me.
“What other things do you think she’ll start doing? She’s been a potato for the last seven weeks, just mooching about when she’s in her human form. I’m excited for her to start doing interesting things.”
Seb growls, and I glower at Ben. “Do not call my daughter a potato.”
“I thought I was her dad. Why can’t I call her cute names?” He pouts. “And she’s a really cute potato.”
“Dad or not, you’ll lose your tongue if you call her a potato again,” I say, shielding her ears. “In fact, you’ll lose it even if you use the word potato in a sentence with her name again.”
Ben nods thoughtfully. “But what if I’m asking if she wants some potato waffles or a jacket potato? Am I just meant to let her starve?”
I turn to Seb. “Get him out of here or you can cut his tongue out for me. Your choice.”
Seb sits up, a smirk appearing on his face. “Tongue.”
Ben shrieks and races out the room, causing me to laugh. Phoebe’s eyes fly open, and I smile down at her.
“Silly Daddy Ben,” I murmur, and coincidentally, I’m sure, she nods back at me as if she completely agrees. “I knew you were my favourite.”
“No scents today.”
I frown over at Seb, tilting my head. “I’m sorry, what? Who has no scents?”
His eyes flash green for a second, and he gets up off the floor to take the spot that Ben was just in. “The pack is safe, little mate. We ran patrols and reinforced the scent mark around our home. You are safe. No bad scents, no weird scents.”
“I’m glad.” Phoebe grabs my finger, squeezing it as her eyes fall shut once more, and my own tiredness takes hold. “Can you do me a favour?”
He nods.
“Can you clear the nappy stuff out of her cot? I’m going to try and grab a nap whilst she does,” I say through my yawn. “I’m wrecked.”
“Sleep.” He nods, his word a demand, as he gets up to clear the cot for me. “Good girl.”
I don’t know why I’m a good girl, but the words most definitely send tingles through me.
Christopher
“Maia’s exhausted.”
Seb’s words are said so heavily as if the fact that our mate is up multiple times a night, every single night, as she tends to our pup is a pain on his soul.
“So am I,” Ben says. He fakes a yawn, rubbing at his eyes. “I was up?—”
“Your one night does not compare,” I say, cutting my brother off. I turn to Seb, raising an eyebrow. “Your point?”
“She’s napping.”
How Alex is escaping dealing with both Seb and Ben today is beyond me. I had a pack meeting this morning and handled a meeting with one of our stockholders, whilst he’s hidden with his laptop and avoiding everything else.
I would do anything for my brothers, but on a day like today, where they’re both so much more uptight than usual, I can’t be fucked.
“They’re fucking idiots,” Orion huffs. “I say we take Maia and Phoebe and fuck the rest of the world off. We’ll be perfectly happy on an island that nobody can enter. They’d both be safe, and happy, and I’d be more than enough for them both.”
“You would be. ”
“Don’t patronise me.” My wolf growls at me, and I roll my eyes.
“Your idea has merit, though.”
“What part?”
I smirk. “No need to be so sceptical.” I look around at my brothers, a plan starting to formulate. “We take our girls out on a date. Just the three of us.”
“Wining and dining before completing our bond? I can get on board with that,” Orion says excitedly. He’s practically salivating at the thought of it. No, it’s worse than that.
I shut my eyes as the imagery he is building floats over my brain. The positions he’s imagining her in, the scenes... they’re fucking twisted. Hot, but...
I can practically smell her, his pictures are that vivid.
My jeans are tight over my cock, so painful, that as my erection grows, it fucking stings as it presses against them. I clench my fists, holding back the urge to... well, to do what, I have no idea.
Race upstairs and bond her?
Kick everyone out so it’s me and her?
Pull out my cock and relieve myself?
“Stop!” I roar, throwing up the strongest barrier I can to block my wolf from me. I look away from the table, trying to calm myself down. I can’t sit here with him creating a fucking porno inside my mind.
“I’m so sick of you lot stinking up the room with your disgusting arousal,” Ben says, giving me a dirty look. “You’re an actual creep, Toph. We’re sitting at our breakfast table, for crying out loud. What’s so arousing about it?”
“Oh, for crying out loud. Shut up, and fuck off,” I snap, glaring at him.
I knock the barrier down in my mind, ready to set the plan straight with Orion, when Ben leans in closer to me, waggling his brows .
“But were you thinking about the sounds Seb caused her to make last night? Because I sure have been.” He adjusts himself under the table, and I rub my face in annoyance. “ All. Day. Long. ”
“I shut the door,” Seb says with a frown.
“I have a very active imagination.”
“So do I,” Orion says, tearing our barrier down. “Our brother got the first touch, but we all know that our bond will be cemented by us . Tonight is the night, human. We’re going to make our mate ours . We’ve been patient ? —”
“We are not going to bond with her tonight.” My words are final, no matter how much Orion whines. “She’s only just starting to let us in and trust in the bond. We need to give her time . Time to let her love grow, time to adapt, time to decide. We will not force this decision upon herself.”
“Fuck giving her time. They’re trying to take our pup away. It will destroy her. Let us protect her the only way that we can.”
“Do not growl at me.”
Orion growls louder. “Do not try to dictate to me. You’re a fool, human. Let us show her our love by letting her feel our love.”
“Or we show her our love… by showing her our love .”
“Why are you and Orion arguing?” Ben asks.
“I’m going to take Maia and Phoebe out tonight,” I say, ignoring his question. I’ve got a headache forming, and I know for a fact it’s because I’m dealing with idiots. Ben absolutely has a higher IQ than the rest of us, so I have no idea how he can act so dimwitted. It’s very annoying.
“Where are we going?” Ben asks eagerly. “Is it for food? For a run? Are you?—”
“Not us.” Seb gets up from the island and grabs the bread out of the cupboard. I watch as he pulls out four bits of bread and puts them in the toaster before turning back around to stare at me.
The look is fucking creepy.
“Then who?” Ben is also following Seb’s movements, and I know for a fact he’s going to try and guilt Seb into giving him some of the toast.
“Maia, Phoebe, and I,” I reply with a little shrug. “She’s exhausted like Seb said. She needs some time off, but I know she’ll not feel comfortable enjoying herself if Phoebe is left at home with you lot, so I’m going to take them both out, and I’ll make sure Maia enjoys herself.”
“You look after Phoebe.”
“I like it better when Kane speaks for you,” Ben says, rolling his eyes at Seb’s caveman sentences. “But I could come? I’ll give Maia the fun whilst you?—”
“No.”
“Good human. We bond with baby and mate. Brothers get their own time with her.”
“I want time to connect with her properly, just me and her. You take her on a date another night.”
“Where?” Seb looks at me intensely, despite his toast just popping up. Ben’s staring at the bread in the toaster, and I swear, drool is forming.
“I was thinking about the Lunar Melt Fondue House.”
Ben’s head snaps over to me, and he gasps. “I’ve only been there once .”
“And you’re permanently banned from there.” I smirk. “But, luckily, I have not, so Maia and I will have a good time.”
The Lunar Melt Fondue House is an amazing restaurant in the centre of our pack lands. It’s wolf-owned, which makes it all the more impressive that my idiotic brother is banned. It’s a delicious fondue place with some very impressive courses. I have no doubt that Maia will enjoy herself, and it’ll give us a chance to bond a little more intimately.
“I hate you.” My youngest brother glowers at me and actually snarls.
“Good,” Seb says with a nod. “Mate enjoy.”
Ben and I exchange a look and burst out laughing. Seb rolls his eyes and turns around to sort out his toast. I will call the restaurant once I’ve calmed down and book a table for three.
“I come.” I narrow my eyes at Seb’s serious tone of voice.
“Let Kane explain,” I mutter, rubbing at my temples.
Their switch is so seamless I don’t even feel the energy shift. “You will be distracted. We’ll come keep watch and stay out of sight. My mate deserves a night off, and I will make sure she enjoys herself.”
Ben sits up straighter. “It makes sense. I doubt anything is going to happen, but with the house locked down as much as it is, the next best thing to do is target her whilst you’re on the move.”
I nod. “Fine.” I look over at Seb and nod once more. “Do not be seen. I won’t lie to Maia if she asks, but I know she’ll feel guilty and invite you in.”
“And you don’t want to feed your poor brother?” Ben asks, his tone dripping with mock sadness. “I see how it is.”
“Good. We all know you’d be the first I sacrificed if need be.”
He snorts. “Don’t worry, Toph, the three of us feel that way about you.”
I roll my eyes and head out of the kitchen to go and find Alex.
But Ben’s words might have been as much of a lie as mine... because we all know I would be the first to sacrifice myself if it would save my brothers.
“Ugh. I wish you would listen to me when it comes to self-preservation.”
“What you’re forgetting, O,” I murmur, dropping down opposite Alex. “Is that we’re nothing without our brothers.”
T he restaurant is busy, and I’m glad I booked in advance. I nod my head to wolves as we pass, and they’re all beaming in excitement at both seeing me and also seeing Maia and Phoebe out in public.
The hostess leaves us at the table and lets us know our server will be over in a moment.
The strong smells of cheese, chocolate, and meat is a little overwhelming and causes my stomach to grumble.
I’m ready to eat, but more than that—I’m ready for my mate to enjoy herself, get a good meal, and relax.
“You get yourself sat down,” I demand, giving my beautiful mate a very stern look. She’s frowning and eyes Phoebe in my arms before dropping down into the booth with a heavy sigh.
I smile. “Good girl.”
I sit down opposite her and cuddle Phoebe in my arms. Our infant is wearing a bright red dress that is absolutely beautiful. She’s got a matching bow in her hair, and the tights she’s wearing are a weird shimmery colour that entrances her whenever she sees her own feet.
When she and Maia woke up from their shared nap, I—with the help of my brothers—whisked Phoebe from her mother to let Maia shower and get ready for our date. Phoebe was a beautiful angel, as per usual, and had great fun playing with us in wolf form.
“You’re beautiful,” I say, trying to soothe my anxious mate. She’s nibbling on her bottom lip, her eyes trained on the hold I have on Phoebe.
Her nerves are overwhelming both me and Orion, but underneath that, there’s a genuine fear .
And, that, we cannot withstand.
“I can take her,” Maia offers. “At least when food comes, anyway.”
Like Phoebe, Maia is wearing a stunning red dress. It hugs her figure, and my brothers and I were stunned into silence when she walked down the stairs. Her curly black hair has a little tied up on the top, but the rest is hanging loose, framing her face.
The red dress cuts low, showing off?—
“Her hot as fuck tits,” Orion says with a grin.
I roll my eyes. “Don’t leer.”
“Have you seen what comes out of her tits? She’s impressive. Magnificent. She single-handedly provides our pup with nourishment. They’re wonderful.”
“It’s not me you need to convince.”
She’s wearing a pair of very tall heels, and I was in awe when she carried the car seat with them on. I’m a lucky man to have her on my arm.
“You fed her in the car a few moments ago, and she’ll be fine with me for a little while.” I reach over the table and grasp her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. “You’re not alone, princess, and you still act like it’s just you. We’re going to enjoy ourselves, and you’re going to let me share the parenting burden. The waiter will bring over your menu, you’ll find what you want to eat, and enjoy yourself.”
She nods slowly. “It’s hard.”
“What is?” I rub my thumb over the back of her hand, offering some comfort.
“I feel like a burden sometimes, and I don’t… as much as you are Phoebe’s dads, I just sometimes feel like I still need to do it myself.”
“A burden?” Orion snarls. “She is everything to us. We don’t do enough for her. What the fuck is wrong with our mate?”
He whacks me on the brain—not literally, but enough that I feel the ringing of his admonishing.
“You are a terrible mate if you let her doubt herself this way. Grovel. Get on your knees and lick her feet.”
“Why do you feel like you’re a burden, princess?” I keep my tone soft, keep my hold on her hand, letting our bond soothe her the way it can .
Phoebe is asleep, her soft breaths easily audible over the loud and busy restaurant, so I can give Maia my full attention.
She looks down at our joined hands and sighs. “Phoebe is mine. Mine and Ryan’s?—”
I growl, unable to control myself, and her eyes snap up to me in shock. “Sorry. Go on.”
“Why did you growl?”
I adjust Phoebe ever so slightly and lean back in my seat, letting go of Maia’s hand. “We’ve told you numerous times how much of a blessing you are?—”
She shakes her head, her earrings glistening in the light. “Oh, Topher, no.” She reaches back out for my hand, and I take hers as she gives me a warm smile. “I know how much you guys… I trust what you say about me. And I know that you all love Phoebe and how much that is reciprocated. You and the others are her dads. I’m not… I’m not disputing that.”
“But?”
“But she’s mine,” my mate almost growls. “I feel guilty or… I don’t know, like a burden, when I leave her care to you. I’m a good mum, I can watch her. You guys work so hard, and I just… watch her.”
I laugh. “Maia, love, Phoebe is ours, too. Our claim on you is only part of it.” I squeeze her hand, giving her a soft smile. “But, princess? I think that independent “I can do it all” feeling is just part of your personality. You are an amazing mum.
“But that doesn’t mean she can’t sit with me for an hour whilst you eat. It doesn’t make you terrible for letting me hold her as you nap. And it really doesn’t put us out. We adore Phoebe. I love her.
“We do our parts, but you take the entire burden on your shoulders. You’re the one up with her every single night. You feed her every single day. You are her mum, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to be a lazy dad and not do my share when I’m home and can help you .
“You’ve got the hard job, and you deserve to rest just as much as I do.”
I grin down at my pup and gently snuggle her onto my chest so my hands are free, and I beam at my mate across the table.
“You’re the prize, and Phoebe is the ultimate bonus.”
She nods, a warm smile filling her face. “I know. Okay, the food smells divine, and I am starving, and I’m done bringing the mood down.”
I roll my eyes, admonish here, and then beckon over the waiter, who has given my mate and I the time to talk.
“Hey, Matthew,” I say, nodding at the teenager as he approaches our table. His eyes are wide, his heart beating erratically.
He’s excited.
“Christopher Wolfe,” he says, his tone full of awe. “Are your other brothers here?”
I grin as Maia hides her smile. “Not tonight. It’s just me, my mate, Maia, and our daughter Phoebe.”
He looks at my pup for a moment and nods. He doesn’t acknowledge Maia, not wanting to offend me as his future alpha.
He just stares at me in awe, and I can smell my mate’s amusement.
“How are you doing?” I ask, keeping my tone as chill as I can.
“I’m good, I’m working on my applications for uni.” His wolf pushes forward a little, and he nods. “Sorry, I’m a little… welcome to Lunar Melt Fondue House. Here are your menus, and I’ll be back over to take your orders in a few minutes.”
I nod, and he walks away, practically running as he rushes to the bar where two other younger wolves are.
“He seemed sweet,” Maia mentions.
I grin at her. “He is. He and his twin brother both work here. ”
“Have you been here before?” she asks, taking the menu I offer her.
I nod. “Ben is banned.”
She gasps, covering her mouth with her hands, her beautiful blue eyes so wide and expressive. “What?”
I nod, leaning in close like I’m sharing a secret with her. “He tried to steal their fondue machine.” I gesture to another table with two large pots on the table, and she bursts into giggles. “He’s not allowed back.”
“Typical Ben.”
“Typical Ben,” I echo, grinning at her.
“She’s so happy,” Orion mentions.
I nod. “We did that.”