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The fierce look on Xander’s face relaxed and one side of his mouth quirked up. He caught himself and shook his head.

“Oh, I know you won’t do it again, because you're the one who’ll have to tell mommy what you did.”

Silas’s flinch was visible because he was so much smaller than she was. He didn’t have to emphasize his movements as much.

As she studied Xander’s face, she had a hunch Frost would forgive her son as easily as her mate had.

Okay.Silas sounded resolved.Can I run around with Aunt Neri and Uncle Hunter first? And then we’ll come straight home and I’ll confess to mommy. Oh, and I forgot Uncle Hunter, Auntie Liv said to tell you she finished the blood analysis.

Xander nodded. “Okay, little man. But when you’re done, it’s nap time.”

Silas hopped into Xander’s arms and nuzzled his dad. At that moment, Neri experienced a twinge of sadness because she couldn’t be a mother. But she remembered she had more now than ever before and she was lucky. Watching Silas and Xander together made her heart melt, and she turned to Hunter, happy to see how soft his eyes were as he watched the loving moment between father and son.

Thanks for watching him.Xander lowered his arms and Silas jumped from them with ease.

We’re happy to.Hunter moved forward and nuzzled his head against Silas’s.

With a wave, Xander disappeared back toward Kai’s place. Neri turned to see Silas leap at Hunter, who flipped onto his back as Silas landed on his chest. There was a growl coming from Silas’s throat as he nipped at Hunter. Hunter pretended to nip back, but he retracted his fangs and he covered the rest of his teeth with his thin lips. To Neri, it appeared these two played like this often and they enjoyed it a great deal.

Soon, both were on their feet.

Ready to run?

Neri flinched, well she would have if her body cooperated, instead she answered.I suppose so, but if I trip over my feet and you laugh… I’ll… I’ll figure something out.

Silas shook his small head.We won’t laugh at you, Aunt Neri.

Again, her heart melted at Silas’s words.Okay. Well, let’s try it then.

Instead of thinking about the fundamentals of walking, Neri started forward. Delighted when her bigger body moved along with no issues. Happy she could walk without hinderance, Neri picked up the pace and ran. She settled into a rhythm until all she heard was thethump-thump, thump-thumpof her feet as she gazed around at the mountains and the sky while taking deep breaths of crisp mountain air.

Neri, wait for us.

Silas’s voice cut through her introspection and she stopped on a dime. She tripped over her feet but stayed upright and chuckled as Hunter and Silas flew past her. She moved again and lined up next the two as they ran up the mountain. On the ground, there was a light dusting of snow and she noticed the cold against her paws. Since she still ran cool, she figured it was her vampire part that didn’t mind the cold.

Not paying attention to the time, once they made it up one slope, and then another, Silas paused and his muzzle opened wide and he let out a huge yawn.

Ready to head back, angel?

Yeah. How about I flash us home so we can get dressed and then we’ll take Silas home for a nap.

Hunter agreed and Neri changed back to her human form and cuddled Silas close to her chest, noticing his eyes were closed and his breathing became deep and even. She reached for Hunter and before she latched onto his fur; he shifted back and wrapped his arm around her waist and nodded.

In a blink, they were in her bedroom. She handed Silas to Hunter, making sure not to look anywhere besides Hunter’s face and dressed. After, she took Silas into her arms.

“Can you show me an image of your bedroom?”

A picture with a huge king-sized bed covered with a plush comforter filled her mind. The space was huge with the bed taking the middle of the room. Nodding, she reached for Hunter and a second later; they were standing in Hunter’s bedroom.

“That’ll be so handy. Whenever we’re…” he paused and looked at Silas, taking the time to cover his ears before he continued, “horny, we can just pop home.”

Neri’s shoulders shook as she watched Hunter disappear into the walk-in closet and rummaged around. Not a minute later, he walked out in a dark blue henley and jeans that looked comfortable. He sat on the end of the bed and pulled on his socks before he slipped into a pair of worn tennis shoes.

As he stood, he smiled at her and she realized she would never tire of looking at Hunter or being with him. A surge of happiness swelled in her chest.

Huh. This is love.

Hunter pressed a hand against his chest and searched her face. “What was that?” Hunter reached for Silas and lay him on the bed, gathering the pillows near the headboard and surround the little snow leopard as he moved to his left side and continued to sleep.