Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 30353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
“What’s his name?” Felix asked curiously.
Asher and Cedric both looked up, smiled, and answered together, “Griffin.” I couldn’t think of a better name for the little guy; in mythology, griffins were powerful creatures who were half lion.
Since he was born from both a human and a shifter, time would tell whether or not Griffin would be able to shift himself. At the very least, he would have keener senses and greater strength than a typical human. Neither would change how this pride loved him, and he would always have a group of mighty lions looking out for him.
“You did a great job, Ced,” Felix told him with a grin. “I’m proud of you.”
“I’m proud of you too,” I added to Asher. “It takes a tough guy to endure getting screamed and cussed at for so long.”
Cedric gasped and looked up at his mate. “Who did that to you?”
“You did,” I replied with a snort. “We could hear it through the wall.”
“I would never do such a thing,” Cedric insisted, sticking his nose in the air indignantly. He widened his eyes at Asher in a pitiful look and asked sweetly, “Did I, Daddy?”
“No, baby. You were perfect.” Asher was lying through his teeth, but he was a smart man. “You are so strong and I’m amazed by you.” Cedric puckered his lips to receive a kiss before his mouth parted into a wide yawn. Asher looked at Felix, Grady, and me, and told us, “Cedric and the baby need some rest now.”
It was his polite way of kicking us out. He saw that his mate was in need, and his Daddy Dom nature was kicking in. The three of us nodded our understanding and Grady said, “I’ll be in the living room if you need anything.”
“Thank you for everything, Grady,” Cedric replied. “I couldn’t have done this without you.” The big man bowed his head before leaving the room, with my brother and me on his heels.
When we reached the living room, Grady took a seat in a recliner and picked up a bag from the floor, placing it on his knees. He dug out a large ball of yarn, two knitting needles, and a mostly-finished beanie cap. It was always both funny and sweet to see the huge man doing something so delicate.
I suddenly felt like an asshole for not having a gift to welcome little Griffin into the world, especially when Grady was hand-making one. I wasn’t crafty like he was, but I had money.
I looked over at Felix, and saw a guilty look on his face, telling me that he was empty handed as well. “I need to make a run to the store. Would you like to come with me?” He was nodding before I finished my sentence.
“You read my mind.” As twins, that wasn’t an odd occurrence. I generally knew Felix’s thoughts or feelings, because they so closely mirrored my own.
We bid our goodbyes to Grady, and were out the door.
Chapter Two
Felix
It was late evening and most shops were already closed for the night, so Enzo and I pulled into an all-night department store. The air was cool and crisp as we walked across the well-lit parking lot. When we entered through the sliding doors, an overhead heater blasted us with hot air, instantly taking away the chill.
But even though I was warmed up, I still got a shiver down my spine as we walked through the produce section, on our way to the baby department. “I must be guiltier than I thought for not getting a gift,” I told Enzo, “My stomach is knotted up.”
“Mine too,” he admitted. “I thought it was sympathy pains for Cedric.”
We gave each other a curious look before carefully examining our surroundings. If both of us felt that something was off, odds were that something was.
But after a thorough look around, we saw nothing, so we gave each other a shrug and moved on, looking down each aisle that we passed. Everything seemed normal as we passed through the clothing and electronics sections.
But when we approached the baby department, the jittery feeling in my stomach intensified. A peek at Enzo showed his brows furrowed and his eyes alert; he felt it too.
I didn’t necessarily feel threatened, but something was demanding my attention. So I kept my senses sharp as I rounded the corner, into an aisle containing bottles, pacifiers, and soft, colorful toys.
Though the items themselves were enough to excite me with visions of playtime with some sweet little thing, they weren’t what had my heart racing; that was the beautiful young man admiring them.
I’d never laid eyes on a creature so stunning; he was a head shorter than my six-foot-three frame, and even though he was bundled up in a thick sweater and scarf, I could tell that he was slim. His dark chocolate hair was shaggy and fell to the side with a swoop, and he had the plumpest, pinkest lips I’d ever seen.