Page 26 of Aching for His Mate (The Wolves of Luven #5)

“Are you sure your mom won’t be offended that I’m bringing food?” Domitia asked. She was carrying a pot filled with turkey souse and Iota had a dish of bread pudding.

“No. I promise. She’s going to love it.”

Domitia raised a suspicious eyebrow. She wanted to make a good impression on Iota’s parents, especially since they lived about two miles away and she would probably see them frequently.

They walked up the path to their front door and Iota knocked, then put his arm around Domitia.

“You’re here!” A very chipper woman answered the door who had Iota’s dark eyes and hair, but none of his width or stature. “Come in, come in! Domitia, let me take that for you. It’s wonderful to finally meet you! I wanted to come to the house when Iota was injured but he said he wanted us to wait until the two of you were officially mated. Such a rule follower.” Iota looked at Domitia and grimaced, then grinned.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she answered. “And now that Iota’s feeling better we can have dinner together.”

Iota’s father walked in and shook his son’s hand, then turned to Domitia. “Well, I’m prepared to be blown away by your cooking if my son’s praise is anything to go off of.” He stuck his hand out. “Nice to meet you, Domitia.”

“You, too.” She licked her lips nervously. She looked over at Iota. He looked so proud she could melt.

“Come sit!” Iota’s mom called. “I want to ask Domitia a million questions about her travels.”

She snuck a glance at Iota.

“My world traveler,” he whispered. He squeezed her hand and led her to the table. She looked at her mate and his parents, and for the first time in her life she thought…

Staying in one place might be nice.

“Have you heard Alpha’s new decrees? The far lands are considered lost,” Iota’s father broke in. “I never thought Luven would lose territory.”

“Better to keep the borders tight and our wolves safe,” Domitia said, wrapping her hand around Iota’s. “When he returns to work, I’ll know that I won’t have to worry as much about an attack. And if there is one, he’ll be closer to Luven where reinforcements stand.”

“Enough about politics,” Iota’s mother exclaimed. “We are here to meet our new daughter, and she has been on the sea! That is what I want to hear about. Life on a boat.”

Domitia settled into her seat. “Well, it’s much hotter than here, and the food is very different. But the sea is beautiful.”

*

Domitia left the house with a warm heart and very full belly. Iota’s mother had been positively delightful, and while his father had been slower to warm up, she had high hopes for the powers of persuasion that rested in her bread pudding.

“You were wonderful tonight. You’re always wonderful.” Iota pressed a kiss against her forehead.

“Mmm. It was fun. And neither of your parents asked me when I plan to have a baby, so that was nice.”

Iota laughed. “They’ll keep their questions to themselves, I hope. No one’s business but ours.” He pulled her a little closer. “Speaking of a baby…”

Gamma, Jaine, and their three children were in front of their house. Jaine was sitting in a rocker holding their new infant.

“Gamma!” Iota called. “Jaine! You had the baby!”

“I did. A week late, adorable little stinker. I’m not sure why she didn’t know third babies are never supposed to be late.”

Domitia leaned over to get a look at the baby. “She’s so tiny! And very cute. Is she named yet?”

“We named her Zeze,” Gamma said. “After Xi. If it weren’t for him dragging the two of us back to Luven, I don’t know if I would have been around to meet her.” Gamma bent down and kissed Zeze’s forehead, then Jaine’s cheek.

“Is Xi single? There are three more women in the hospital you know,” Domitia mentioned.

“Xi’s been mated for almost fifteen years.”

“Whelp, guess he isn’t for a Balaur woman then.” Before Domitia could say another word, Celyn fell into a bush and immediately started screaming, which startled Zeze who joined in the racket.

“We’ll leave you to it,” Iota called to them pulling Domitia away.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “No babies for a while.”

“Let’s enjoy some time for just us.” Iota kissed her quickly. “And let’s start enjoying that time the minute we get home.”