Page 26 of The Mating Quest

They mounted the steps. Aiden punched numbers in a keypad and opened the door. “Access is granted only to those who live here or have business here. Less likelihood of someone being here who might intend harm. Parents live here at night and work during the day. Moms have the option of staying here with their babies instead of working, but all new parents are required to live with the babies for no less than four months. Enables the bonding process before the babies are introduced topack.”

The lodge was built differently from the main building, with a large living area with cribs, playpens and sofas. No fireplace. They walked through the building to a spacious room where several babies slumbered peacefully in cribs. A tall, red-headed woman in a long green gown sat in a rocker, reading. At their entrance she stood, nodding at Aiden, smiling at Tristan and seeing Ethan, shescowled.

“Who areyou?”

Ethan sensed a tremendous magick about the woman, a magick far stronger than Others, perhaps even that ofTristan.

“This is Ethan Powers, alpha of a Florida pack who’s searching for the wolf pelt. I’m taking him on a tour. He’s my guest,” Aiden told thewoman.

Tristan nodded. “I trust him as well,Lily.”

The woman relaxed only slightly. “Don’t take long. The babies need theirsleep.”

As Ethan went to one crib to look at a sleeping infant, the woman was at his side with preternatural speed. She put herself between Ethan and thecrib.

“Look. Quickly. No touching,” shewarned.

He liked her protective air. Ethan held up his hands. “No problem. I’ll be gonenow.”

Lily watched him warily and turned to tuck the blanket around the sleeping baby. He caught the faintest shadows, and realized they were gossamerwings.

As they left the nursery, Aiden nodded. “You’re not imagining it. Lily is afairy”

“Not just any fairy, but one from Danu’s court. The most powerful fairies in this world, and Tir na-Nog,” Tristan said grimly. “After Keegan, my son, was kidnapped, the goddess wanted to ensure all the children on the ranch were protected, including our twins when wevisit.”

Ethan walked with them outside, as Aiden closed the door behind them. “What kind of powers does Lilyhave?”

Tristan flicked out his hands at a rock ringing the garden at the foot of the stairs. The rock vaporized, as if it wasn’tthere.

“That’s nothing compared to Lily’s powers,” the wizard said softly. “She and the others fairies are very protective, and loving with the children and their parents. But if she senses a threat, no questions asked. She’ll turn your skin inside out, leaving you screaming fordeath.”

A shudder went through him. “I’m glad I backedoff.”

“And Lily likes you, respects you as an alpha. She went easy on you. More than she does to other strangers,” Aiden toldhim.

They walked to the next log cabin building. Instead of Aiden punching in a code on the keypad, Tristan waved a hand and the door opened. The wizard gave an impish grin. “When I’m here and my twins are, I have specialaccess.”

But he made certain to close and lock the door behindhim.

This lodge followed the same footprint as the others except toys instead of cribs were scattered around the living room. Tristan arched a brow at Aiden. “I’ve been cautioning the children to pick up after themselves. I see my words have noeffect.”

“They’re kids, wizard. Cut them some slack. Especially because they sense something big is happening and the fairies are trying to keep themdistracted.”

“True.” The wizard waved a hand and the clutter of toys floated through the air and went into several toy boxes. The lidsclosed.

Ethan whistled. “Nice trick. Wish I could do that with the kids in my pack. You should see the house after they’ve been to thebeach.”

“Ah sand, it gets into most intriguing places,” Tristan murmured with a fond smile. “I remember the time my beloved Nikita and I were naked at this lovely beach on Bali andwe…”

Aiden cleared his throat. “TMI, wizard. You know what thatmeans?”

“Tell Me Instantly?” Tristansuggested.

Ethan grinned. “Too muchinformation.”

Judging from the twinkle in the wizard’s eyes, Tristan was toying with them. He didn’t care because they walked into a spacious playroom downstairs and there among the yelling, chattering children wasIlana.

Relief flooded him, and anger. He strode over to her, playing on the floor with a solemn, dark-haired boy. Ethan dropped to the floor and glared ather.