Chapter 153: Rumors
Liam
“River, give your brother back his cookie.”
“No. It's mine,” he says stubbornly.
“River,” I warn, letting the firm edge in my voice do most of the work for me.
The little minx licks it and hands it back to Rayne with a smug look on his face.
The twins would be completely identical if it weren't for River’s complete heterochromia. His left eye is the same green as his mother's, and his right is the same bright blue as mine.
Rayne, on the other hand, inherited my eyes. Though they both have their mother's golden hair.
Rayne’s lip wobbles as he looks at his soggy cookie. Then the momentary sadness gives way to indignation, and he chucks the damn thing right at River’s face.
He’s going to lunge, my beast says, as amused as he is exasperated.
No one told you to get all sire happy.
As if you weren't just as eager to fill our mate with our progeny, he quips back.
River launches himself at his brother right on cue, and I snatch him from the air, holding out my other hand to catch Rayne before he could take advantage of his brother being held back.
“Aye, play nice or no one gets to go see Lowden today,” I threaten, knowing how much they love playing with their cousin.
Their little arms stop flailing, tiny canines stop snapping, and suddenly they are the pictures of tranquility.
Fucking crazy.
My sons are crazy.
“I wanna play with Low,” Rayne says.
“Me too,” River seconds.
“Alright, just give me a second, okay. Let me go check on Mommy and then the babies.”
I step out of their playroom and go across the hall into the nursery.
My beast perks up, excited to see our mate and new additions.
I never thought fatherhood would suit me, but it has become one of the greatest joys of my life.
When I see Hazel sitting on her lounge chair nursing one of the quints, my heart does a little squeeze. The other three are napping in the cribs along the walls, and I readily inhale the new baby smell.
My mate looks tired. Blush purple bruises are under her eyes, and her curls fall haphazardly around her.
Still, he is even more beautiful today than the day I first met her.
“How are you feeling, little Hunter?” I ask softly.
“I'm alright. I heard the boys across the hall. Is everything okay?”
“They're fine. Just being their typical wild selves.” I reach for our infant and cradle the small bundle in my arms for a moment before going to place her in the crib.
I take one last look at her soft black down hair and place a gentle kiss on her head.
My first little girl.
Once she is tucked in comfortably, I turn to Hazel, giving her my full attention.
I caress her cheek with the back of my hand. “You should take a nap.”
“And miss the meeting? Not happening, beast boy.”
“You're exhausted. You haven't gotten much sleep these past two months.”
“That’s only because you decided one child wasn't enough for you,” she pouts stubbornly.
I kneel in front of her, placing a small kiss on her plush lips. “Please, baby. You need to take care of yourself too. Part of that is sleeping properly.”
“I don't want to be out of the loop,” she admits. “What if I'm needed?”
“If you are, I'll fill you in. We're a team, but right now, you are more important to the children than I am, and it's my job to make sure you're taken care of just as well as you take care of them.”
Her eyes water, but she doesn't let the tears fall.
“Fucking hormones,” she mutters.
“Language,” I chastise playfully, scooping her up in my arms. “We wouldn't want the boys to hear.”
She hits my shoulder. “Says the man who taught our sons how to flip someone off.”
I take her into our adjoining bedroom.
“That was involuntary, and you know it.”
Tossing her gently on the bed, I dive in after her, lying firmly on top of her. A content rumble releases from my chest.
Goddess, nothing feels better than having my mate beneath me.
Then hearing the sounds of my pups filling the house.
My beast wholeheartedly agrees, pushing against my skin to get closer to Hazel.
“You're so fucking beautiful,” I say, looking into her emerald eyes.
Her slim hand brushes down the sides of my neck, resting on either side of my face. “So are you.” She leans in and gives me a slow, teasing kiss. “Too bad you're on a time-out.”
“I know, baby. I just want to be close to you,” I say, chasing her mouth with small kisses.
She gives me a suspicious look. Which is fair, considering I’m lying my ass off.
Grabbing her chin, I take her mouth in mine. Sweeping my tongue inside like a starving man, I rediscover every dip and curve, melting into the feeling of Hazel. She kisses me back with just as much urgency, as if she needs me just as deeply, as thoroughly, as I need her.
My blood rushes to my loins, and I silently curse my overeager cock. It will be a few more weeks before Hazel can take me again.
I lift my hips but don’t break the kiss, not wanting to sever our connection just yet.
As if drawn here by the Gods of cock-blocking themselves, the door bangs open and the twins rush inside.
I jerk off of Hazel, and she laughs as two small bodies crawl up onto the bed.
“You’re too slow,” Rayne said irritably.
“I wanna play,” River pouts.
“Play, play, play…” they started to chant in unison.
Hazel gives my cheek one final kiss. “Go. Like you said, I need a nap anyway.”
I growl, the sound somewhere between peeved and playful.
“Come on, you troublemakers,” I say, grabbing them with inhuman speed and dangling them by a leg in each arm.
“I’ll fill you in when I get back,” I tell my mate. “Have a good nap.”
Rayne and River giggle and squeal as I hold them up to Hazel, and she gives each a kiss.
I don’t bother righting them as I head to the pack's child center. Packmates wave and call out hellos to the boys and me along the way.
I’m well aware the pack is taking good-natured bets on what they would present as when they are old enough.
While the majority are certain they will be Grimms, there is still speculation whether they will manifest as hybrids like me.
I drop them off with the guardians, and they bolt inside, finding their cousin Low and their friends.
After answering some questions about the quints, I wave goodbye and head out to the enforcer meeting Ronan is holding.
“There’s the father of the year,” Felix calls out as I approach him and Dex on the path to the enforcer building. “How's your kennel holding up?”
I snort. “Why don't you come by and check it out for yourself.”
Felix’s eyes brighten. “You know I will. There is nothing better than that brand new pup smell.”
“Easy. You don't want to overwhelm, Hazel,” Dex warns.
Even though I had my reservations about him, Dex is turning out to be a decent partner for Felix.
Loyal.
Though they haven't mated, I’m hoping the stoic male will ask soon.
I wave his comment away. “Felix is a tremendous help for Hazel. He knows he can come by our house anytime.”
“No take backs,” Felix sing-songs as we approach the entrance to the building.
Once we are inside, I head to the front with Ronan and Barric.
“You made it out on time,” Ronan comments.
“The boys made sure of it. I love them, but I can't even get a moment alone with Hazel anymore,” I complain.
Barric gives me a knowing look. “Good, someone's got to help you practice self restraint.”
I glare at him.
As if he's one to talk.
“Don't glare at me. I doubt rabbits can reproduce faster than you. At the rate you're going in a few years half the pack will be related to you.” Barric dodges a swipe I take at his head.
I look out into the crowd of enforcers, taking a quick head count to make certain everyone is accounted for before I give the go ahead for Ronan to start the meeting.
All fifteen are present.
I signal one of the enforcers in the back to shut the doors.
As the door closes, silence depends upon the crowd.
After years of minimal bullshit, here we are being dragged back in.
Ronan stands before the enforcers, his Alpha pheromones calling everyone to attention.
“I won't beat around the bush. I know most of you have heard rumors of killing involving shifters. Killings that coincidentally happen around or adjacent to pack territories and protected towns. I'm here to confirm those rumors.”