RyanThe warm, bubbling water of the jacuzzi surrounds me as I sit down with Sally on my lap. Her feet don’t reach the bottom, leaving her legs dangling from my lap. I playfully lift my ass, and she turns around to pout at me, her lower lip sticking out adorably.“Aw, is someone too short to reach the bottom?” I tease, a grin spreading across my face. The corners of her mouth twitch, fighting back a smile.“Shut up,” she mutters playfully, swatting my chest. “You’re just a giant.”“Or maybe you’re just small.” I bite back with glee. “I’m not even going to deny that…” She sighs. “I sometimes wish I were taller.”She does? That’s crazy. “Don’t sound so sad. I love your size. You’re petite and perfect,” I mutter into her neck as I wrap my arms around her waist. The way our bodies mold together makes my heart swell. She is so small compared to me, but that’s okay. Her small stature only makes me more determined to protect her.I hold her close, but my playful grin turns into a groan whe
SallyI’m shocked. Ryan, who is usually so calm and mischievous, is breathing so fast I worry he might die from heart complications. Even his eyes are filled with such vulnerability it hurts to look at him.“Hey, calm down,” I lean my cheek against his chest while hugging his sides tightly.” We can still be...whatever we are even if you don’t age. It doesn’t bother me.”I’m speaking the truth. Dating a guy that doesn’t age would be...problematic, but that isn’t what we are doing...right? I like him, but he has made it perfectly clear this isn’t a relationship. So, who cares?Like, sure, it will be awkward to hang out with Ryan when I’m forty with my first few wrinkles while he still looks like a hot young dude. People would think I’m his mother or maybe a MILF, but that’s me overthinking.Ryan still doesn’t look convinced. “Really? You’re not bothered by it at all?”“Nah, not really.”“... you’re a weirdo.”I release a soft laugh against his warm skin. I’m not sure why, but there is s
SallyI always knew werewolf children matured faster than human ones—I’m a werewolf myself so that information isn’t exactly hard to miss. Despite this, I’m shocked to see Gwyneth by the kitchen table mumbling my name in her baby voice. She is just a tiny pup, but her eyes are already filled with so much intelligence.Ashton, with a softness in his eyes reserved only for Gwyneth, lifts her up and places her on his hip. “I tried to get her to say mommy or daddy, but...she is quite stubborn.”“Like her father,” I mumble, crossing my arms over my chest. The furry ball of joy coos at the sight of me, stretching her little arms out towards me while babbling my name in all its baby glory.She is adorable. I don’t regret becoming her nanny one bit...even if her family is problematic.Ashton hands me Gwyneth, and she immediately clings to my shirt with her chubby little fingers. “Seems like she’s missed you,” Ashton says, his voice filled with amusement.I glance at him, raising an eyebrow. “
Sally“Where are we going?”I jump in sheer terror at Ryan’s voice coming from the front seat of the SUV. Ashton allowed me to borrow one of his cars to go and see Lydia, but when I entered the car, there was no sign of the 6’7 hybrid currently sitting beside me.I shoot him a disapproving glare. “Do you enjoy giving people mini heart attacks?”“Well, doesn’t everyone?” he responds with a mischievous grin.“I swear, I almost peed my pants!”“Don’t be so dramatic,” he chuckles. “A good jumpscare gets the blood pumping.”“You’re such a prankster...” I mutter, rolling my eyes.Ryan laughs, and I hate how that makes me unable to stay mad at him. He is just too beautiful. Everything about him makes people want to stare at him. If he were an animal, he would be this beautiful, exotic peacock. It makes me wonder what he sees in me. Why didn’t he pick someone else to be his no-strings-attached partner?“Aww, I’m just joking around. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he sounds sincere, but it’s hard
Sally“She will make it.”I look up at Ashton, who looks as tired as I feel. “Did they tell you that?”His lips form a soft smile. “They did.”I slump back in my chair with a sigh. “That’s such a relief to hear. I was really worried about her there for a while. Silver pills are so dangerous for werewolves.”“Mhm, they are illegal, and yet you can still somehow get your hands on them through online forums.”“It’s sickening...”“Agreed.”Ashton hands me a coffee. I carefully take it from his hands and watch him sit down beside me. We are at the pack doctor’s clinic and sitting in the waiting room. It’s a bit awkward. Ryan isn’t here since Ashton obviously wouldn’t allow it, which means I’m sitting alone with my ex-mate, who is still in love with me. Awkward...I take a sip of my coffee before clearing my throat. “So, where is Gwyneth? With Blair or your mother?”“With my mother. I can’t trust Blair enough to leave my daughter alone with her. She might be Gwyneth’s mother, but she defini
Ryan“So you’re saying Sally was in heat for just a day before she didn’t feel it anymore?” Jackson asks in disbelief.“Uh, yeah?” I turn around from the stove. I’m in the midst of melting chocolate. Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and I plan on taking Sally by storm by giving her the best chocolates that she has tasted in her entire life.“I see,” Jackson laughs. “I guess you will be a daddy in two months then.”“Wait, what?!”“Isn’t that how long werewolves are pregnant for? Two months like dogs?”My eyes widen. “What the heck are you on about? Pregnant? I’m a vampire, and we don’t—”“No, you’re a hybrid,” Jackson interrupts and shakes his head with an amazed smile. “Dang, and you’re supposed to be smart? Ryan, for how long are female werewolves in heat?”“For two weeks, or until they get pregnant—” I trail off and gasp, finally realizing what my best friend means: I’ve gotten Sally pregnant. Holy shit! Could this be true? We did knot, and we had sex multiple times, and oh my god...Wh
SallyAfter coming home and tending to Gwyneth, I must have fallen asleep because I was now experiencing a strange dream. Ryan is in it, and we had children?“How is my lovely mate feeling today?” Ryan asks an older and very pregnant version of myself walking beside him in a snowy field. There are kids in the background. Ours? I’m not sure, but I have a feeling they are. This is so weird. I’m watching them all as an invisible bystander, staring when I hear the older me cackle.“I could be better...gosh, the first trimester is the worst, which is like...the two first weeks of a werewolf’s pregnancy. I’m so nauseous.”Ryan chuckles. “You’re going to have triplets this time, too, so that might be why you’re having symptoms from hell,” his face softens, and I watch him grab the other me’s hand. “I wish I could do more for you. Guys have it so easy.”“You certainly do,” the other me agrees. “I’m also getting older while you haven’t aged a day. Try being pregnant at my age. I’m too old for
SallyThe moon goddess’ words are still lingering in my mind even after I visited her in my dream. I couldn’t bring myself to answer her in it, torn between my love for Ryan and my fear of his bloodlust. He has been gentle with me, but seeing him tear into victim after victim? I’m a bit messed up.KNOCK KNOCK!I look up from my bed with tired eyes. Ryan is standing on my balcony with a grin on his face, and my heart immediately starts pounding faster. To my surprise, it isn’t because of my infatuation with him. No. I’m afraid of him. It’s a new emotion I’ve never felt around him before.“You’re taking a nap?” he asks teasingly, oblivious to my fear of him. “Isn’t it a bit too early for that?”I’m unsure how to respond, terrified my voice will come out weak if I try answering him. Being quiet might be even weirder, though. He might suspect something!“Ah, Ryan!” I plaster on a fake smile. “How lovely to see you!”He pauses to stare at me through the window before he releases a laugh. “