Page 19

It’s Aric, of course. Ainsley is strapped to his chest, hair wild, face flushed. He looks like he’s been awake for three days.

I rip the door open. “What?”

He looks me up and down. “Is Ella here?”

“Why?” I ask, not even pretending to be polite. Fuck that.

His eyes lock onto the black mate sign etched across my chest—still tingling and raw like a fresh brand against my skin. His shoulders drop as he sighs, the sound heavy with exhaustion and frustration. The dark circles under his eyes deepen as his mouth twists into a grimace.

"I can't believe you stole my goddamn nanny, Oren," he says, voice rough as gravel.

I blink slowly, savoring the moment. "Believe it. She's mine." The words rumble from deep in my chest, possessive and final.

He glares at me, nostrils flaring, jaw clenched tight enough to crack walnuts. "I just found the perfect nanny," he says through gritted teeth, "and you go and mate her."

I cross my arms, waiting for him to run out of steam.

“I know she has the weekend off, but I need her to babysit on Monday. I have a Security Council meeting with Kael and Gavric,” he explains, as if I’m being unreasonable. “And Kael is already looking for an excuse to make my life a living hell.

Behind me, I hear light footsteps. Ella appears in the hall, wrapped in my shirt and a pair of sweatpants that she’s rolled up three times at the ankles. She looks more awake and so goddamn gorgeous.

Aric raises a brow at the sight of her. “Nice uniform,” he teases, and Ella rolls her eyes. My heart lifts knowing the universe chose well for me. My human mate is already part of my family.

Ella doesn’t miss a beat. “I won’t leave you in a lurch. I’ll continue watching Ainsley until you’re able to find a replacement.” My mate steps between us and leans back against my chest like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

He shifts the baby, who’s now awake and gnawing on Aric’s dog tag. “Thank you.”

She gives him a look. “Of course.”

I don’t waste time with goodbyes. I herd Aric and the infant toward the porch with a grunt and a death stare that says, “get lost before I change my mind.” He gets the message. The second the door slams, I throw the deadbolt and lean against the wood, letting the silence settle.

Ella’s still in the hall, wearing my clothes and that sleepy, cocky grin that makes my cock twitch. My mate. Mine. The word sizzles in my brain. I stalk toward her, letting every inch of my seven feet block out the world behind me. She barely has time to squeak before I grab her by the waist, lift her clean off the floor, and pin her tight to my chest.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” I rumble, voice low and rough. Her hands fist my hair, yanking me down for a kiss, and fuck, I lose the last shred of control.

“We have the rest of the weekend for you to show me.”

She doesn’t have to ask me twice.