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Story: The Wolf of My Eye

Everyone was thrilled. Maisie’s parents were just as excited as the rest of the pack to see the new babies.

Lachlan gave Edeen a hug. “Our turn next.”

She smiled. “Yeah. It was wild to see two of our she-wolves give birth at the same time.”

“That’s for sure,” Lachlan said, giving her a kiss.

Robert wrapped his arm around Maisie’s shoulders andleaned down and kissed her too. “Well done,” he said to Maisie.

She laughed. “I was going to say that about you.”

“Yeah, but I’m used to delivering pups and babies. This is new for you.”

“I’m getting more used to it,” Maisie said. “I loved seeing the wolf pups come. When the ladies are settled, I’ll photograph them all. I’m going to take pictures of the open house for now.”

She took pictures of everyone at the party, groups of wolves eating and drinking, some of them posing for the camera. Colleen and Heather ate their fill before Colleen’s and Heather’s babies woke. Grant and Enrick enjoyed the food too. They were smiling from ear to ear, looking like proud fathers. The mothers looked tired but happy.

Robert brought a plate of food over to Maisie because she hadn’t taken the time to grab a bite to eat. Then the two of them enjoyed talking to everyone as a newly mated couple. The open house had turned into theirs and not just Robert’s. Maisie was amazed at how things had turned out between them.

When Colleen told Grant she was ready to go home, Heather agreed with her and was ready to take it easy, and Grant and Enrick took the new mothers and their babies home to the castle.

“Are you going now too?” Robert asked Maisie.

“Yeah, to photograph everyone. But I’ll be back.”

He smiled. “Yeah, of course. We’re mated now.”

“I’m so glad.” Then they kissed. He loaded her camera equipment in the car. “I’ll see you in a little bit,” she said.

“I’ll keep your parents company,” Robert said. “Since I was so busy with delivering the wolf pups, I feel like I neglected them.”

“It couldn’t be helped, and they know it. They’ll be as proud of you as I am.” She kissed him again, and then she drove off to the castle.

***

Robert went back to the house and saw Janet and Frederick visiting with Lachlan and Edeen and several other wolves. They were having a great time, and he overheard them saying they were moving to the area as soon as they found a place to buy and sold their home. He was glad they were letting everyone know they wanted to be part of the wolf community, and he knew the sisters would love seeing them more frequently. Their parents would be invited to all the pack functions.

Frederick and Janet saw Robert, and they hurried to speak with him. “We are proud to call you our son,” Janet said.

“Exactly, and when Maisie needs a doctor for any occasion, we know you’ll be there for her,” Frederick said.

“Anne too, when she finds a mate,” Janet said.

“I sure will be.” Robert smiled. He was glad her parents seemed to really like him as well as Anne and Maisie did. And he couldn’t wait for Maisie to come home to him. Once everyone left, he would be ready to take her to bed. Unless she wanted to run as a wolf first. He enjoyed everyone’s company, but he was ready to be alone with his mate.

He wanted to get ready for Maisie’s return before she got there and make it really special, but he felt many of the wolves didn’t want to leave him alone until she came home. He didn’t want to be rude, but he was ready to spend the rest of the night alone with his mate.

As if Anne finally realized how he was feeling, she gave him a hug. “We’ll see you later. It was a really lovely open house, and congratulations on the beautiful deliveries.”

“Yes, thanks for everything,” Janet said, giving Robert a hug too. “We’re going to be spending the rest of the week looking for a home. We’ll get together with you both whenever we all can.”

Frederick likewise gave him a hug and a slap on the back. “Great job on everything. We’re really looking forward to being here permanently and dropping by to enjoy time with you and Maisie and Anne.”

“Me too,” Robert said.

Thankfully, once Anne and her parents left, others began to leave—all except Veronica, Iverson, Lachlan, Edeen, and a few others who helped clean up after the party. Chef was packing up his kitchen tools and grills, and some were helping him with that.

Once everyone but Lachlan and Edeen had left, Edeen said, “I know you so well, Robert, and because of that, I’m sure you want to get ready for Maisie to come home and need the time alone with her. The open house was fantastic. Everyone had such a great time. I’m glad you got to visit with everyone and enjoy the feast too.” Edeen laughed. “The pup deliveries delighted everyone, and for both Colleenand Heather to deliver practically at the same time, that was unbelievable and wonderful. It couldn’t have been more perfect.”