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Darlene’s head snaps toward him. “Babies can smile.”

“They can also fart.”

“Damian.”

“What? Dad said it.”

I turn slowly toward my mate. Darian’s eyes widen. “I did not teach him that.”

“You absolutely did.”

“I may have explained the biological functions of our son.”

“You said he farted.”

Darian considers that. “That is significantly shorter.”

A laugh escapes me before I can stop it. Arian stirs against his chest, and Darian immediately lowers his voice while rubbing one broad hand over our son’s back. It still does something to me, seeing him like this. This enormous male who once terrified an entire rogue camp is sitting shirtless on our couch because Arian settles faster when he can hear his heartbeat.

Three months of maternity leave sounded excessive when Selena first told me. Now, with my son only days old, I’m beginning to think she might have been right.

The knock at the door comes seconds before it opens. “Paige!” Darlene shouts. Paige steps inside with Milo and Piper behind her, and both pups barely make it across the threshold before Damian and Darlene rush them. Within seconds, all four disappear toward the toys scattered across the other side of the living room.

“You know, most people wait until someone answers before walking into their house,” Darian says. Paige closes the door behind her. “Most people don't tell me to stop knocking because I visit too much.”

“You do visit too much.”

“You asked me yesterday when I was coming back.”

“That was different.”

“How?”

“I needed someone to hold Arian while I took my mate upstairs.” I slap his arm. Paige bursts out laughing. Darian looks completely unashamed. These visits have become almost daily. Sometimes Paige comes to tell Darian how Michael is doing. Sometimes she brings Milo and Piper so they can play with Damian and Darlene. Mostly, though, she comes to sit with me. We talk about pups, pack gossip, healing, whatever crosses our minds. Somewhere along the way, she also decided that holding Arian is one of her responsibilities.

I’m not complaining. Especially since her volunteering has given Darian and me more than one opportunity to disappear upstairs together. Paige walks over and peers down at the sleeping baby. “I'll take him.”

Darian tightens his hold. She looks at him. He looks at her. “Eventually,” he says.

“You are quickly becoming my favorite little sister.”

Paige straightens. “I'm older than you.”

“I'm taller.”

I stare at him. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Everything.” He grins. “She's my big little sister.”

Paige narrows her eyes. “Maybe I should reconsider babysitting.”

Darian immediately sits straighter. “Let's not make any emotional decisions.” I laugh so hard my stomach hurts. A knock sounds at the door. This time, nobody walks in.

“I'll get it.” I push myself off the couch, still smiling as I cross the living room.

When I open the door, Selena is standing there. Alone. Completely alone, despite the fifteen guards Rylan assigned to her. My smile disappears. I look behind her. Nobody. Absolutely nobody. I lean farther through the doorway. Maybe they're coming. Still nobody. “Where are your guards?”

Selena walks past me. “Hello to you too.”