as my mate bonds or my pack bonds, but apparently, it was enough to keep him alive in this world.
Things with the human community were still tense, and human rights groups were still violently hunting supernaturals, but without the support of the human government. The official party line was all about tolerance and understanding, but we weren’t quite there yet.
Slowly but surely, we would build a better world.
Epilogue
Anna
Five Years Later
I leaned back in my comfy rocking chair and put my feet up. My ankles were swollen, and my back was killing me. I rubbed my round belly to comfort myself as well as my babies. I was incredibly lucky that Sam and my mother were here to help me set up the cribs.
“Check it out!” Jason shouted as he burst into the nursery.
“Tactical baby gear,” Mason said proudly as he modeled a flak jacket that would usually hold ammo and weapons, but instead was loaded with baby bottles and spare diapers.
I giggled as Jason stuck a teddy bear into what he was wearing. I’d thought it was Kevlar at first glance, but it was altered to fit a baby.
“It’s a baby carrier!” Jason said enthusiastically. “There’s a hideaway sun shield, built-in hydration pouch, and it can withstand shots from an airsoft gun.”
“Why would you bring a baby into a paintball game?” My mother asked with concern.
“Well, I wouldn’t on purpose,” Jason said defensively. “But what if a battle broke out all around me? I’d have to get her to safety.”
“Sounds legit,” Sam said with a roll of her eyes. “Both of you get over here and help me put together these cribs. My guys act like they have a severe allergy to anything baby related.”
Mason set down his flak jacket and walked over to help Sam, but Jason still looked concerned.
“Why are we putting them in separate cribs?” he asked. “What if they want to be together?”
“They’ll still spend time together,” my mother reassured him. “But, trust me, you’ll want to give them their own space, too.”
“Yeah, bro,” Mason added from the floor. “They have to learn to be independent and shit.”
Jason knelt next to my chair and leaned so he could talk to the babies.
“You three are going to be so excited when you come out,” he told them affectionately as he rubbed my belly. “We got you some really awesome toys.”
“You better have gotten that little girl just as much fun stuff as the boys,” Sam warned him. “Not just baby dolls.”
Jason looked insulted. “Of course. Our daughter is going to be a little badass.”
“And stylish,” Quinn added as he came into the room loaded with shopping bags. His mate, Nathan, wasn’t far behind him and was carrying double what Quinn had.
“Set them down there, babe?” Quinn murmured to Nathan.
I smiled as Quinn thanked Nathan with a peck of a kiss on his bearded face. Nathan turned bright red and mumbled excuses as he almost ran out the door. Nathan was a gruff bear of a man, but he turned to sweet jelly whenever Quinn was around. Their relationship gave me the warm fuzzies because they were so good together. I’d never seen Quinn so happy.
Quinn held up each little outfit for us as we all cooed in appreciation. My babies were going to be well-dressed, no doubt about that.
Austin and Cody came into the room next. Both were dressed in suits and looked absolutely mouth-wateringly gorgeous. My hormones shot up into overdrive, and I knew they picked up on the change in my scent because I saw the answering heat in Austin’s eyes.
Austin gave me a chaste kiss on the cheek as Cody took off his jacket and sat on the floor to help Sam and the twins.
“How are you feeling?” Austin asked as he smoothed a hand over my hair.
“Like no matter how much we prepare, I’m still not going to be ready,” I said with a sigh.
My mother patted my hand. “I’ll give you some space,” she whispered to me.
“Hey Sam,” my mother called out with a wink in Austin’s direction. “Help me with something downstairs?”
Quinn caught onto her devious plan. “Oh, yeah,” he said with a smile. “Me too.”
“Where are James and Caleb?” I grumbled. And just like that, my mood shot from sexy to upset. “They should be here too.”
“I’m here!” Caleb called out from the doorway.
I patted my lap as my two Shih Tzus trotted up behind him. They happily jumped up to sit with me, and I rearranged myself to be