Page 102 of Protected Promise

While the others moved on attending to their mission at hand, I instructed Abby and Cadence to fix a plate and join us.

“How are you feeling?” Kaitlyn asked Cadence the moment the girls sat down.

“I’m fine. Nothing to worry about.”

But Kaitlyn did worry and it showed in the way she fussed over the girl. I hadn’t yet seen this nurturing side of her. She was a natural Pack Mother and as I watched her care for the one that had saved her life, I couldn’t help but think of how wonderful she would be with our pups one day.

Pups? I nearly choked on a piece of chicken just thinking it. When had I ever thought about pups? Staring at Kaitlyn, I knew I wanted a whole litter of them with her and I hoped she felt the same.

We had both been only children, but at least I’d had Tobi. She was every bit the sister I never had and always wished for. I didn’t want my own children to know how lonely it could be growing up without siblings and kids their age.

I needed to find a way to grow our Pack if I were to ever provide them with that.

I knew that Kaitlyn’s Place could open the doors for just that. As shifters around the world came through my territory for vacation, or just passing through on the way up to Alaska, some would inevitably want to stay. The Canadian backcountry had a way of seeping into your soul, making a person never want to leave. It was what caused my great ancestors to set roots here. It’s why my great, great-grandfather built the hotel to begin with and now, we were going to carry on that legacy and use it to strengthen our Pack and prepare a true home for our pups’ futures.

“What are you smirking about?” Kaitlyn nudged me and asked.

“Nothing.”

“Liar. What is it?”

I smiled and kissed her forehead. “Nothing bad.”

“I know. I can feel that.”

“I was just thinking about our future together.”

“That makes you happy?”

“Of course.”

“And what exactly were you thinking?”

“I was thinking that you are going to make an amazing mother someday.”

She frowned. “What if I don’t want pups?”

My heart nearly stopped. She didn’t want kids?

“Oh my gosh, I’m just kidding. You should see the look on your face. I mean I don’t want them any time soon, but maybe someday.”

“You better. It’s your job to produce the next Alpha heir,” Tobi pointed out.

“I hadn’t really thought about that,” Kaitlyn admitted.

“There’s no rush,” I insisted.

“What if we have a daughter and not a son? There’s no way to guarantee I’ll have a boy.”

I considered that for a moment. “Does it matter?”

“Huh?”

“Why must the Alpha be a male? This is the twenty-first century. I’d be just as happy to pass our Pack on to our daughter, provided she is as strong and stubborn as her beautiful mother.”

I leaned down and kissed my mate.

“That’s really sweet, but that’s not how things are done,” Abby insisted.