Page 77 of Broken Chains

It felt like she was seconds away from actually talking now and Oliver was determined her first word would be "daddy."

"Stop coaching her, you cheater," I said. It had been an argument in good fun for days now.

My heart warmed at the sight of them. I smiled.This is definitely the life I wanted more than anything.

"Crazy night, huh?"

I thought back over the last twenty-four hours. It had been the first official Larken Pack run. It seemed like everyone had shown up, more curious about me and Oliver than anything, so I made a big meal. I fondly remembered helping my mother cook for pack meals on the nights of a run when I was growing up. I was glad Lily was keeping the tradition alive in Collier and it meant a lot to me to carry it out for Larken now, too.

It had been an emotional night and a big moment for Larken Pack. Much like the first time I'd taken Oliver on a real run, most of them just didn't know what they had been missing.

“It’s early, come back to bed,” Oliver said.

I crawled in next to Eve, who didn’t look like she was going back to sleep anytime soon.

“I need to pick up a few more things for Tim later today,” I mentioned.

Oliver sighed. “I still don’t understand why you are insisting he live on campus. We could be saving so much money if he just stayed home.”

“You hear that, Eve. Daddy just doesn’t want any of his little chicks flying the coop. Good luck when you hit college age.”

“I’m serious, Pey. He wouldn’t even have considered it if you hadn’t mentioned it.”

“Oliver, he was already considering it and we aren’t paying anything. He got a full ride in scholarships and that includes his room and board. You know this. Plus it’s an hour commute each way. He doesn’t need that. I know you worry, but he’s going to be fine and I have no doubt he’ll be home most weekends, anyway.”

“I’ve been taking care of my brothers for as long as I can remember. I’m not ready to let go,” he confessed.

“I know. I do understand that, but you have to. Tim’s a grown man. You’ve done an amazing job with him, now you have to let him stand on his own two feet, sink or swim, and all that.”

“Easier said than done,” he mumbled.

I just smiled back at him. He was so protective of us all, and incredibly loving. I had never really imagined what my mate would be like, but I certainly couldn’t think of anyone better to spend my life with than my gorgeous, sexy husband who carried his heart on his sleeve. He might have looked big and tough and badass, but I knew better. He was just a handsome teddy bear at heart.

Growing up, my mother had always told us to trust the mating call, because God knows what he’s doing when he matches true mates. She was right! And I intended to give my children exactly the same advice.

I smiled down at Eve and leaned in to kiss her soft curls. My life may not be perfect, far from it even, but it was my life and I wouldn’t dream of changing a thing.

“Mamamamama,” Eve started to babble.

My heart leapt in my chest. “Did you hear that?”

“No way,” Oliver said. “Dada, say Dada, Eve.”

She blew a raspberry at him, then rolled over and smiled up at me. “Mamamama.”

I couldn’t stop the tears flowing down my cheeks or wipe the grin from my face.

“Who am I, Evie?”

“Mamamamama,” she said, reaching out to snuggle close to me.

Oliver shook his head, but he was smiling proudly. “You little stinker.”