Page 24 of Mating Mia (The Alphas’ Perfect Prey #2)
fourteen
. . .
Six Months Later
Mia
A tiny hand slaps against the stone floor, the soft patter of determined baby palms echoing through our cave.
I crack one eye open to see Ash’s diaper-clad bottom disappearing around the curved wall, his chubby legs pumping with surprising speed for a six-month-old. So much for my peaceful morning sleep.
My son has other plans- namely, escaping our sleeping area in pursuit of his beloved grandmother.
“Ash,” I whisper, carefully extracting myself from the tangle of warm blankets and Kane's heavy arm. "Get back here, you little munchkin.”
I glance at the three sleeping forms surrounding our nest of blankets and pillows.
Kane's massive body is closest to me, his face relaxed in sleep, making him look younger and almost vulnerable.
Finn lies on his back nearby, one arm flung over his eyes, while Jace is curled on his side.
The sight of them sleeping so peacefully fills me with love, especially Kane, who spent most of the night walking with a fussy Ash.
I slide from our nest, my bare feet touching the cool floor as I hurry after my determined baby.
The cave system behind the waterfall has become our second home over the past six months.
It was a network of surprisingly spacious chambers connected by smooth-walled passages that my mother had transformed into a cozy sanctuary over the years she spent in hiding.
Our main sleeping chamber is lined with thick rugs and draped with colorful fabrics that soften the stone walls. Solar-powered lanterns provide gentle illumination, casting warm light across the surprisingly homey space.
I round the corner just in time to see Ash's bottom wiggling as he crawls with impressive speed toward the passage that leads to my parents’ chamber.
“Oh no, you don’t,” I murmur, quickening my pace. The sound of my footsteps alerts him to my pursuit, and he looks back over his shoulder, his hazel eyes sparkling with mischief. He squeals and redoubles his efforts, tiny hands and knees working in perfect coordination.
For a baby who couldn't even roll over consistently six months ago, Ash has developed alarmingly effective mobility. The pediatrician says he’s advanced for his age, something Kane proudly attributes to his "superior alpha genetics.
" I blame it on the stubborn determination he clearly inherited from all sides of his family tree.
"Ash," I call softly, trying not to wake everyone as I close the distance between us. "Come back to mama."
Behind me, I hear the rustle of blankets and Kane's deep voice. "Need help?"
I turn to see him sitting up, his dark hair mussed from sleep, eyes alert despite the early hour. Even half-asleep, he's ready to step in to protect and assist.
“I’ve got it,” I assure him, waving him back down. “You were up with him half the night. Get some more sleep.”
He looks ready to argue, but suddenly yawns. With a reluctant nod, he sinks back into our nest, though his eyes remain open, watching me with that intense protectiveness that used to intimidate me but now feels like safety.
I turn back to my chase, finding Ash has made impressive progress down the passageway.
He’s been obsessed with his grandmother since the moment we reunited six months ago, developing the kind of bond that makes my heart ache with joy.
All those years I grew up without her love, and now my son basks in it daily—crawling to her at every opportunity, choosing her lap over anyone else's, falling asleep against her chest while she sings lullabies.
I finally catch up to him just as he reaches the junction that leads to my parents' chamber. Swooping down, I scoop him into my arms, his warm, solid weight familiar and precious against my chest.
"Gotcha," I whisper triumphantly, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
“There he is,” my father exclaims, suddenly striding toward us with his arms outstretched.
Ash practically launches himself from my hold, his little body leaning forward so eagerly that I have to tighten my grip to keep him from tumbling to the floor.
My father reaches us and gently takes him from my arms, lifting him high above his head before bringing him down for a kiss on his round cheek.
"Plotting your escape again, were you?" he asks Ash, who responds with delighted babbling. "Coming to find your grandma and grandpa?"
My mother joins us, her fingers automatically reaching to smooth Ash's wild hair.
"He's getting so fast," she observes, pride evident in her voice. "Soon we'll need to put bells on him."
"Or just childproof the entire cave system," I suggest with a tired smile.
My mother's eyes soften as she looks at me, concern replacing her amusement. "You look exhausted, sweetheart. Was he up during the night?"
"A bit," I admit, running a hand through my tangled hair. "Kane walked with him for hours, but he was determined to party at three AM."
"Let us take him," my father offers immediately. "You go get some more sleep. We've got everything under control here."
"Are you sure?" I ask, though relief is already washing through me at the prospect of more rest. “He hasn’t eaten yet.”
Ash is already settling against my father's chest, his tiny hand gripping the collar of his shirt with surprising strength.
"Go," my father insists, making a shooing motion with his free hand. "Get some rest. We'll keep this little wolf cub entertained."
Gratitude wells up inside me, so intense it brings unexpected tears to my eyes. This is what family is supposed to be. After spending my childhood with people who saw me as nothing but an inconvenience, the love surrounding me now feels like a miracle.
"Thank you," I say softly, pressing a kiss to Ash's head before making my way back through the stone passages, my body heavy with exhaustion but my heart light. The past six months have been a whirlwind of adjustments—learning to be a mother and reuniting with my parents.
When I return to our sleeping chamber, Kane is still awake, his eyes tracking my movement as I approach. He lifts the blanket in silent invitation, and I slide in beside him, sighing as his warmth envelops me.
"Baby secure?" he murmurs against my hair.
"With his grandparents," I confirm, nestling closer. "They told me to get some more sleep."
“They’re right,” Kane says, his arm tightening around my waist.
I smile against his chest, breathing in his familiar scent. Behind me, I feel the nest shift as Finn slides in closer, his solid presence at my back making me feel extra cozy. Jace remains asleep across our nest, his soft snores filling the quiet space.
Kane's hand drifts lower, sliding beneath the hem of my oversized shirt to cup my breast. His thumb circles my nipple, which immediately hardens beneath his touch. At the same time, Finn's hand finds my ass, squeezing gently through my thin sleep shorts.
"Kane," I warn softly, even as heat blooms between my legs at their touch. "Not here."
"Why not?" he whispers, his fingers finding my other breast, pinching lightly. "Everyone's busy with the baby."
Finn's hand slides around to my front, dipping beneath the waistband of my shorts to find the slick already gathering between my thighs. I bite my lip to hold back a moan when his fingers brush against my clit.
“Because,” I manage to say, my voice strained as desire battles with propriety. “We’re at my parents’ place.”
Kane sighs against my neck, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine.
"Then we should go home today," he suggests, his voice dropping to that deep register that never fails to make my pussy clench. "Leave the baby here with his grandparents for a few hours."
Before I can respond, Finn turns me onto my other side so that I’m facing him.
“I need this,” says Finn, lifting my shirt until my breast pops out.
Lowering his mouth, he wraps his lips around my breast, sucking it.
His tongue circles my nipple through the thin fabric.
He sucks harder, and I feel the dampness spreading across my shirt as milk leaks into his waiting mouth while Kane squeezes my ass.
"Fuck," I breathe, my resolve weakening as Finn continues to suckle, providing relief for my often painfully full breasts while simultaneously making my pussy throb with need every time he does it.
It's been too long since I've had all three of them. Our nights at the waterfall cave are necessarily chaste, with my parents and baby nearby. The few nights we spend at our rental house are precious opportunities for the kind of primal pleasure that binds us together as mates.
"We'll go home after breakfast," I agree, my voice breathy as Finn's teeth graze my sensitive nipple. "A few hours away won't hurt."
Kane's approving growl vibrates against my back as he pulls me closer, his cock hardening against my ass.
“Excellent,” he murmurs, kissing my neck. “Now get some sleep. You’ll need your energy later.”
Hours later, Kane is making good on his promise.
Back at our rental home, I’m sitting on the bed, my back against the headboard as Finn and Jace flank me on either side, their hot mouths sealed around my nipples, drinking the milk that's been making my breasts ache with fullness.
Their tongues circle and lap, creating a rhythm that sends jolts of pleasure straight to my core.
Between my spread legs, Kane’s dark hair tickles my inner thighs as he licks my pussy.
I tangle my fingers in Jace’s golden hair and Finn’s dark locks, holding them against me as I arch my back, surrendering to the exquisite sensation of having all three of my alphas worshipping my body at once.
“Fuck, I’ve missed this,” I breathe, my voice breathy from how horny they’re making me.