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My wolf curls deeper inside me.

Want mate.

I squeeze my eyes shut. "I know."

Need mate.

"I know."

Rylan's arm tightens around me.

“Darian.”

“Don't.”

“Paige has your pups.”

Everything stops.

My wolf's head rises inside me.

Pups?

I look at Rylan. “What?”

“Selena checked with Paige while I was coming after you.” His breathing is still heavy from the fight. Blood runs down his chin. “Damian started crying. Then Darlene. Now Arian won't stop.”

My chest tightens.

Pups crying?

“Paige can't calm them down.”

Damian.

Darlene.

Arian.

Their faces flash through my mind.

Damian trying so hard to be older than six. Darlene running through the house with that wild little smile. Arian asleep against my chest.

Arlene holding all three of them.

Our pups.

My wolf pushes himself up inside me.

"Yeah."

Mate's pups.

My eyes burn. "Our pups."

Pups need us.

Something inside me shifts.