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Gwyn couldn't take Torin's silence any longer. Standing in front of the living room window, she dissected the new situation that was her fault. She had panicked, not only because she and Morgan felt as if they were living in a cage guarded by wolves but also because of a recent discovery.

She smiled, her thoughts going back to the previous thought. Technically, it was her discovery she had reacted to, but that was neither here nor there. Torin was still upset with her.

Not that his being her shadow wasn’t annoying, it was. Since she and her sister had been brought to the caves, Torin hadn’t left her side for more than a few hours. After the funerals, he hadn’t even let her walk to the kitchen to get her own drink.

Last night, though, her annoyance reached a boiling point, and she pushed him away out of exasperation. If she were being truthful, it had been out of fear as well.

She rubbed her stomach, loving the fluttering sensations deep inside her. To exercise a little freedom, she had risen from her nap before Torin and walked through a small part of the beautiful cavern just beyond the library.

She had meandered along the narrow path, taking in the magnificent mineral formations and enjoying the cooler temperature, when she came upon what looked to be a hand-carved bench placed near a breathtaking turquoise-blue lake.

It was the first time in days she had been able to catch her breath and simply be. She stared into the unknown depth of the water, wondering how such a thing was created when she felt him. Her son. How had she not known he was there, growing beside his sister?

Somehow, she had to tell Torin he would be a father, not once, but twice. When that thought sunk in—that she was going to give birth to two babies, terror took hold, and she hadn’t been able to shake it. Her other fear, she realized, came from losing her heart, which she was most certainly doing at a swift rate.

Now, however, she had to figure out a way to apologize. Although watching as Torin’s muscled frame leaned over, throwing the three smaller logs onto a tall pile and grabbing another trunk was enjoyable, too.

With each stroke of the axe, the muscles in his arms and back flexed, each contour well defined as the sun shimmered over his sweat-covered skin. Gods, but the man was sexy.

Part of her wished he had heard her declaration of love, but the other part of her was glad he had not. It had given her a reprieve—a time to step back and make sure what she was feeling for him was actually love and not pregnancy hormones.

She used her magic to open the door so he would not hear the knob turning and walked over to where he was cutting a massive pile of wood. She silently stood, waiting for him to say something or acknowledge her, but he didn’t. “Torin, I'm sorry."

His swing faltered, but he quickly recovered and cut a thick chunk of wood in two. Turning, he leaned against the axe. His face showed no emotion.

“I know you heard me, but I’ll repeat it. I really am sorry. When you're around, I always seem to put my foot in my mouth."

"Go on."

She stepped toward him and clasped her hands, staring at the thick blue-green grass in front of her boots. "I like you—more than like you. But your over-protectiveness…” She held up her hands. "While warranted under the circumstances, it is a bit overwhelming."

He nodded. "I understand."

She shook her head and, before her courage disappeared, stepped in front of him. She tilted her head back and looked up at him. "No, I don't think you do." Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him. She sensed his hesitation, but then his hands wrapped around her face and pulled her closer, his groan vibrating against her lips.

Reluctantly, she broke the kiss and smiled up at him. “I have been on my own for ten years. Well, other than Morgan. Even she knows to let me have my space. I can take care of myself, but thank you for taking such good care of me. Do you forgive me?” His golden gaze stared into hers before giving her a single nod.

He scooped her into his arms and strode through the front room of the cavern to his old bedroom. With a backward swing of his leg, he kicked the door shut and laid her on the bed.

Dropping down beside her, he wrapped a fat curl around his finger and caressed her cheek with the back of his other hand. "We don't have to do anything. If you're uncomfortable, we can just talk."

Her heart raced with excitement and she smiled. "I don't want to talk. I want you to make love to me."

Torin's gaze met hers. "I could drown in your beautiful green eyes," he said, slowly unbuttoning her shirt. "I also like your breasts.” He grinned. “Never wear a bra.” You are so damn sexy .

“I don’t want my boobs hanging down to my belly button when I’m old…not even to please you.” Gwyn laughed, scraping her nails down his arms as he leaned over her. “And you're pretty sexy yourself."

He groaned. "You weren't supposed to hear that. I need to work on my mindblocks. You know, just in case. If Makari ever heard me, I'd never live it down." He pulled her against his chest and buried his face in the curve of her neck.

"Your gallantry is appreciated, but my thoughts could be just as bad. Besides, I'll soon be as big as a barn, which is so not sexy." She raised back up and smiled, kissing every inch of his sculpted chest until he made a growling noise in his throat.

"Oh, mon ange, if you keep this up, I won't be responsible for my actions." He groaned. "And I happen to like barns."

Chuckling, she scooted lower, feathering her hands along his sides. Their growing bond, especially when they touched, made her feel his emotions, especially if they were strong. Right now, the love for him building in her heart matched his.

In one swift motion, he pulled her up and rolled her underneath him. “I love how you make me feel, but I want to enjoy every moment we have alone.” Their eyes met and everything inside her stopped.

Cupping her face in the palms of his hands, with their noses almost touching, he hesitated, then eased forward and touched her lips with his. Her toes curled as he claimed her mouth...as he claimed her.

How could she have pushed this man away? His hands skimmed across her shoulders and feathered along the sides of each breast, his thumb teasing the sensitive skin. Her lower back arched off the bed as a burning sensation raced from her breasts to her core.

"Torin." His name came out in a husky moan. Reaching down, she gripped his arms and pulled him toward her. Nestled against his warm body, she loved how he made her feel safe and cherished. Her heart raced, her feelings for this man growing into something so much more.

His breath caught, a low groan vibrating his chest. She loved how his hands caressed her skin, tingles trailing everywhere he touched. His lips nuzzled her neck, nipping and kissing until her body sang, and her feelings overwhelmed any coherent thought she may have had. All she wanted was him.

With her silky auburn hair curling wildly around her head and pillow, she knew she looked like a wild woman, but when his gaze met hers, his breath hitched, and a slow smile curled her lips upward.

She would never get enough of his mouth or kisses. Pressing her swollen lips to his, she traced his bottom lip with her tongue as their bodies moved, the dance timeless in its beauty.

Losing herself in the kiss, she ran her fingers through his silky hair. She pulled the thick strands back and held his face between her hands, tilting his face up until his golden eyes met hers. "I'm tired of never having enough time with you,” she whispered huskily, giving him her sexiest smile.

* * *

He stared into her sparkling gaze, her lids half closed and gods, so sexy. With his heart beating hard against his chest, He kissed her swollen lips. "You captured my heart, and now, you're stealing my soul,” he whispered against them.

She began to pull away, but he pulled her against him, kissing her with a depth of feeling he didn't quite understand. The desire to feel like one with her became more important to him than breathing.

Not wanting to examine these newly discovered feelings too closely, he concentrated solely on her until, without warning, their worlds shattered around them in a kaleidoscope of blinding light.

He hugged her to him and closed his eyes, knowing he would never be able to let her go. Gwyn was his. His true mate—his heart. Now, what he would do about it was another thing altogether. How could he care for her, their daughter, the wolves, and fight against an evil Fae? Before meeting her, he was barely holding on…

He didn’t want to hurt her or see the light disappear from her eyes, so he adopted a lightness he didn’t feel. "My arms feel like I’ve been swinging my sword for hours." He forced a smile to his lips and leaned forward, kissing the glistening skin of her shoulder. "Your skin tastes sweet."

She laughed. "The better to eat me? You must be hungry." She pressed her lips against his chin and then snuggled closer. "My hungry wolf."

He chuckled. "I'm definitely a big, bad wolf."

"Oh, I don't know. I think you're cute—hey!"

He covered her mouth with his hand. "Don't ever say that out loud again. I am not cute. If Makari ever heard you say that my warrior rep would be totally ruined.”

She chuckled and squirmed out from under him and reached for her shirt, but he pulled her back against him. “Don’t leave yet. In here, with just you and me, the world seems a bit more right, and I don’t have to think about evil Fae and monsters with iron claws.

* * *

Gwyn swallowed, staring down at Torin’s beautiful face, the planes chiseled like marble. His eyes opened, and her breath caught in her throat. So, this is what heaven was like? No one had ever looked at her like he did.

She furiously blinked, willing away the tears and cursing pregnancy hormones. Crying was so not her style. She gave him a shy smile. "I'm sorry. I'm not usually this pathetic."

"Emotional, but not pathetic. And pregnant." He kissed her temple. "You need to sleep.”

Staring down at him, she knew she needed to tell him about her discovery. He deserved to know how many children he was going to have, but when he pulled her down, his large hand carefully pressing her head onto his shoulder, her eyes slowly closed.

Not wanting to ruin the moment, she decided to wait and tell him after their nap. She curled into his embrace and cherished the weight of his arm around her. Protecting her.

When she first realized she was pregnant, terror had been her first response. She had been alone and scared, even with her sister’s help and support. Now, wrapped in Torin's arms, happiness crept into every corner of her body.

She lay against the curve of his chest, her heart thudding painfully behind her ribs as she recognized the other subtle yet amazing sensation pouring through her. Love. I’m so in love with this man .

It wasn't hormones or fear telling her this, but her heart. She hesitated a moment, holding her body still, then slowly relaxed with a smile and squirmed closer. His hold around her tightened, his breath puffing warm air against her scalp. She couldn't lie to herself anymore. She loved him.

"Lay still, or neither of us is going to get any sleep,” he growled but kissed the top of her head. Turning on his side, he curled around her backside and rested his hand over her stomach.

Just as she drifted off to sleep, thoughts of her sister crept into her mind. She wondered if Morgan had any clue Torin meant more to her than just the father of her child, that he was the other half of her soul...

* * *

A loud yelp echoed through the room, jolting them awake. Surprised, Gwyn grabbed the covers as she tried to pull them over her bare chest.

With a glance at the bedside clock, she realized they had only been asleep for an hour and turned a sour glare to where her sister stood in the doorway, one hand on the doorknob, the other covering her mouth.

“I am so, so, so sorry,” Morgan mumbled, shutting the door behind her with a loud thud .

"Morgan, wait!" Gwyn took deep, calming breaths and tried to ignore Torin's laughter. Muttering under her breath about explanations and embarrassment, she groped around the bed for her clothes.

Torin slid into his pants, leaving the top button undone and pulled Gwyn's sweater out from where it had gotten tangled up in the quilt.

Tugging it over her head, he finger-brushed her hair, deftly rebraiding the long tresses, while she stared at him, her emotions all over the place, but first and foremost—embarrassment.

He smiled and raised his brows. "Maybe next time she'll knock?"

Gwyn shoved him away and dropped onto the side of the bed to pull on her socks. "That was the last thing I wanted my sister to see." She jerked on her boots and pulled the laces with hard tugs, stopping halfway and staring at the tangled mess. "Oh, good grief..."

With a chuckle, he shoved away her hands. After unraveling the knot she created, he retied her bootlaces.

"Morgan's a big girl.” He leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose before grabbing her hands and pulling her to a stand. “She'll get over it."

Resting her cheek against his muscled chest, she closed her eyes and inhaled his spicy scent. "Thank you, Torin."

"For what?"

"For being wonderful." She exhaled, nervously pulled on her shirt hem, and walked to the door. She hesitated in front of the door, then turned and held out her hand to him. With a grin, he placed his palm against hers, and they left the room together as a united front.

They found Morgan standing in front of the fire, her cheeks flushed a deep pink. Gwyn wondered if the coloring was from the fire or the peep show.

Morgan glanced at them. "Maybe a door lock would be a good idea. There are just some things never meant to be seen. My sister's breasts are one of them. Sorry, two of them." She burst out laughing. "You should've seen your face, Gwynnie! It was priceless!"

Gwyn dropped onto the sofa and scowled. "Oh, shut up."

After seeing that, I’m going to have to bleach my eyeballs and brain. We need to develop a system so there's no barging in at inopportune times. Morgan wiggled her brows at Gwyn.

Gwyn's gaze narrowed. Yeah, you could knock first.

Torin gave them a questioning look, two cups of tea in his hands. He handed one to Morgan and the other to Gwyn before sitting beside her. She took a small sip. The cinnamon and cloves were heavy but decadent with a subtle blend of almond and honey.

The tea was delicious, but what she really wanted was coffee. Taking another drink, she swirled it around in her mouth. But the tea would do in a pinch. And this was definitely a pinch.

"Thanks, Torin," Morgan said. "The tea is delicious, but if I don't get some food soon, I won't be responsible for anything I might do or say."

Gwyn laughed and stood, heading toward the hallway but stopped when she realized Torin wasn’t behind her. Glancing back, she saw her sister grab his arm. Almost a head taller than her, she tilted her head back, staring at him. "Promise me you'll take care of her?"

Without hesitation, he said in a low voice, "Always."

Morgan exhaled. "Okay, then. Now, lead me to food." Stepping in front of him, she followed Gwyn down the hallway, her soft laughter filling the hand-chiseled tunnel. "That's actually why I went to Gwyn's room. The boys cooked supper."

Torin frowned. "Did you say boys?"

Morgan smiled with a quick nod. "Mhmm. Now, come on before it gets cold."