Page 31

“ Regan. Emery.” Iven’s voice penetrated the recesses of Marric’s brain, telling him he needed to get out of bed too. He had a field to plow and horses to set out to pasture.

Grumbling met him just as he went back to sleep. The grumbling came from Emery. She had a daily rhetoric about being old enough not to need Iven’s stupid wake up call. The stupid part was her word for said wake-up call and not Marric calling it that. Marric appreciated the sentiment, though.

But Regan was all rainbows and sunshine even in the morning. He was cute and annoying at the same time.

Marric’s bedroom door banged open, and Regan ran inside. He made a giant leap on the bed, bouncing twice on purpose before sitting next to Marric.

Sunshine filled his smile. “Dad told me to wake you.”

Marric fought a smiled and the urge to cover his head. “Go tell Dad to suck an egg.”

Iven walked in. “I can’t suck eggs. I already scrambled them. Hopefully, the ladies in the chicken house will put out today, so we’ll have breakfast tomorrow or I’ll be going to the store after work.”

Marric put on his best scowl and grabbed Regan, as quickly as he could, before Regan caught on and wiggled out of his hold. And then he tickled Regan, making him roar with laughter.

“Dad’s little minion. You’re supposed to be on my side.”

Iven chuckled and rescued Regan by plucking him off the bed and onto his lap. “Papa’s a grouch in the morning.”

Marric gave his best scowl, but the smile took over. He met Iven’s gaze. “Is my dad already at it this morning?”

Iven nodded. The morning cheer when out of him. “Wolves were fighting at the east end of town last night. He went to break it up.”

“The sheriff needs to be recalled.” Timeston needed a sheriff like Iven. Iven cared about Fortune Falls.

They switched their time living between the farm and their residence in Fortune Falls, which was less of a hassle than Marric thought it would be, and Regan went to school in Fortune Falls.

Emery didn’t want to change schools, so she drove herself to school in Timeston every day.

She only had a couple of months left of school before she graduated.

In the fall, she’d go to college at Dinsmore and live with Marric and Iven in Fortune Falls.

Or at least switch her time between the farm and Fortune Falls like they were doing.

“Something’s gotta give.” His dad had a hard time forgiving the pack for betraying them. It was only a matter of time before he came crashing down.

Iven leaned forward and kissed Marric. “We’ll be there when it does. For now, we have kids to get off to school.”

Iven stood, setting Regan on his feet. “To the kitchen, Minion. We have breakfast to eat.”

Regan giggled. As he ran down the hall, he said, “Get out of bed, Papa.”

Iven leaned down and kissed Marric again. It was just a peck because of morning breath, but it made Marric smile. “You heard him. Get up. The world awaits.”

“The world can go to—" Marric would have said hell, but Iven’s hand covered his mouth.

“Sassy witchy wolf.” Iven took his hand away.

Emery entered their bedroom. “Have you seen my compact? It’s the one with the pretty butterfly on it.”

“It’s on the coffee table,” Marric and Iven said at the same time.

Emery rolled her eyes and left the room. “You guys are saying the same things at the same time now? As if you already didn’t give me cavities.”

Marric chuckled. “Was that a compliment?”

“No,” she yelled from down the hall.

“I’m going to give you something later.” Iven worked his hand under the covers until he found Marric’s cock and gave it a lazy stroke through his underwear and pajama pants.

“I’ll be ready for it.” Marric was always ready for Iven.

They had busy lives, what with raising Regan and helping his dad raise Emery while he dealt with pack issues.

If not for the kids and their jobs, Marric would want Iven several times a day.

But what he loved the most was the life they were building together.

****

All Marric wants is an impromptu love making session after work.

The house is supposed to be empty for the first time in forever.

All he has to do is wait for Iven to come home.

But things don't work out the way he planned.