Page 28 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

“I gotta tell you, though. We had one hell of a first date. What are you going to do to top introducing me to this world?”

“Oh, I’m sure I can think of something.”

Thumping footsteps sounded behind them and both Sam and Vaughn looked over their shoulders as the front door to the house opened and Emily appeared. “Alpha!”

“Yes, Emily?”

The little girl had blossomed after a good night’s sleep. Her eyes sparkled with that same bright blue as all the wolves and being safe and well fed had done wonders for her. Sam wondered if that was the true magic of pack. He’d have to ask Vaughn about it later. He should start carrying a notebook to jot down all of his questions.

“Nana Jean said I had to ask nicely if we can shift and play! Can we?”

Vaughn looked at Sam and raised a brow in question. Sam shivered again, the automatic acceptance he’d received by Vaughn both thrilling and a little scary. He needed to unpack his emotions later, really think about what he was getting himself into.

Yesterday, he’d been almost alone in the world. Only his dad would have noticed if he wasn’t around. And today he’d suddenly become… parenting partners with an alpha werewolf and six cubs who’d been abused and neglected. And he wouldn’t change a thing.

“What do you think, Sam?”

“I have no idea. I’m curious but… other than that, I don’t know if it’s okay or not.”

Vaughn grinned and nudged him with his elbow. “I was thinking that if everyone said they’d eat their vegetables with dinner that maybe we could think about it.”

Emily bounced up and down, clenching her hands in front of her. “Please, Sam? We’ll eat our vegetables!”

Sam shot a look at Vaughn before turning back to her. “If everyone agrees, and that means Ollie, too, then yeah, you can shift and play.”

“Yay!” Emily tore back into the house, drawing a snicker from Vaughn.

“What was that noise for?”

He shook his head, stood, and reached out a hand to Sam. “Just happy,” Vaughn said. He sounded surprised, and then his smile widened and he pulled Sam closer. “I’m actually happy.”

His eyes twinkled, the blue in them sparkling in the afternoon sun. Something in Sam stirred again, his body responding and easing him closer. This wasn’t a scary cliff to jump off. No, he was diving into a ball pit filled with fun and adventure and laughs. He couldn’t wait.

Sam licked his lips and leaned in, quickly pressing his mouth to Vaughn’s. He retreated just as fast, skipping away and up the steps before Vaughn could think about what he’d done. Sam pressed his fingers to his lips and held back a laugh. He was happy, too. He’d worry about the rest later.

Emily had shared the good news with the others, and the kids were all waiting on them to come inside. Six sets of excited eyes looked at him and Sam’s grin returned full force.

Vaughn came up behind him and they stood shoulder to shoulder. “Okay, we have rules. Ollie, buddy, you listening?”

“Yes!” Ollie grabbed Ben’s hand and used it to climb the older boy like a tree. Ben lifted his arm and helped Ollie scramble up onto his shoulders, a move they’d clearly perfected over time.

Vaughn waited until he was settled before continuing. “We stay inside the fence. If you cross the fence, we won’t be able to shift again like this unless we have a lot more of our pack around. Understand?”

“Yes, Alpha,” five voices chorused.

“Ollie?”

“Inside the fence!”

Vaughn chuckled and walked over to Ben.

“C’mere you.” He plucked Ollie off Ben’s shoulders and held him in front of him for a second. “You’ll be good and stay with me, right?”

Ollie nodded, his eyes turning the vibrant shade of blue that Sam now recognized as part of his wolf.

“Say the words.”

“I’ll stay with you.”