Page 8 of My Pleasure

He turned her to face her uncle’s house. “You’ll see. Just remember, my Ma has muffins and soup ready to go.”

She hesitated. “You’re as eager to see them as you were to meet me.”

“You and your siblings are my family now,” he said, as if that explained everything.

“Is it that simple?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” he asked, looking confused.

“Most men wouldn’t want to be saddled with two kids,” she started.

He held up his hand. “Most, human men wouldn’t want to be saddled with two kids. Fate gave you a bear shifter, not much means more to us than family and loyalty.”

She blinked, then blushed. “I’ve been gone too long.”

“That’s okay, because you’re home now.” He removed his arm and took her hand. “What are their names?”

She exhaled. “Keran is the elder of the two, he’s nine. Nicol is eight.” She smiled. “They both look just like our father, I take after our mother.”

Hunter squeezed her hand. “You’ve only recently lost your parents, right?”

She felt her smile wobble. “Yes, five years ago. They took a contract on the east coast and died in a car accident when their taxi was hit by another car. Uncle Ellar arranged for the funerals and took us all in.”

“Hmm.” Hunter said, trying to sound neutral. Too bad his face clearly showed his doubt.

“I’ll introduce you, you’ll see.”

“After you,” he said, bowing.

Smiling, she sent a prayer up to the Goddess for sending her such a warm mate.

Chapter Two

Kiera opened the door with her key and walked inside. As usual, the house was silent. From the back of the house, footsteps echoed off the walls as someone approached.

“Miss Sorrel, good to have you home,” the crisp, formal voice of her uncle’s assistant said, by way of welcome.

“It’s good to be back, Bryson, thank you. Where is Uncle?”

“He spends his days at the Academy. I am not expecting him back until this evening. Will you be staying for dinner?”

Kiera held back her frustration. For all intents and purposes, she lived here too. Why wouldn’t she be staying for dinner?

“I’ll be taking her and the kids out for dinner, then we’ll be spending time at my parents’ home,” Hunter replied smoothly.

“Very well,” Bryson gave a short nod, then retreated back to her uncle’s office.

“Kiera?”

Kiera heard her name moments before two small bodies slammed into her. If not for Hunter’s support, all three of them would have ended up on the floor. “Keran! Nicol! Goddess above how I’ve missed you,” she said, repeatedly kissing the tops of their heads.

The way their little arms squeezed and refused to let go told her more than anything that Hunter was telling the truth. Something wasn’t quite right.

She leaned down and whispered to Keran. “Go get your things.”

Her brother sat back and simply nodded solemnly, before racing away at breakneck speed.

Nicol still hadn’t let go.