The Savage

“You think you’ll be able to handle a girl?” his mate asked, that teasing note still in her voice.

Styx kept his hand on his female’s belly, felt their daughter kick again, and knew he’d protect what was his at all costs. “I handle you,” he said, teasing his mate.

She elbowed him gently, and both of them laughed softly.

Every day he loved her more. She was his mate, his wife, the very reason he breathed. He’d die for her if it meant she and their children were safe and happy.

“Do I make you happy, my female?” he asked.

After a second, she pushed herself up and braced her upper body on her elbow, staring at him. “You know you do,” she whispered and cupped his cheek with her other hand. “Before you, I had a mother and brother, lived a simple life.”

He’d heard her story before, and even all these years later he still felt rage for her, and wanted to hunt down the men that had done this to her and kill them slowly.

“But after being sold and running, and then you bringing me back to the cave, I realized I could be so happy despite the circumstance that made me scared at first.” She continued to smooth her hand over his cheek. “You make me happy, and you’ve given me beautiful children to love and watch over.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. “I love you, mate,” Audrey murmured against his lips.

“And you are mine,” he said. She knew there was no word for love, or what he felt for her for his kind, but telling her she was his meant more than anything he could say or anything he could do. He cupped the back of her head and pulled her an inch closer. For long seconds, he just kissed her, pleased when she melted against him. “My life is yours, Audrey.”

She sighed, and it was that small sound, that little act, that had pride filling him, letting him know tenfold he was a lucky bastard.

He slid his hand down the back of her head and to her nape. Styx moved his palm to the side of her throat so he covered the mark he’d given her during their first mating. It would never heal, would always show anyone that dared look upon her that she was mated. Every time he looked at those twin puncture marks, he felt pride. Audrey was his female, his mate, and there was nothing short of death that would take her away from him.

“But are you truly happy?” he asked again, and although he could smell she was pleased, he wanted her to say it, wanted to hear the words.

“Even though you know I am, Styx … yes, you make me deliriously happy.” She smiled. “You’re a good mate, protective and attentive. We are your world, and you care about us unconditionally. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

He ran his thumb along the twin puncture wound scars.

“You’re a good father, take care of the boys, and I know you’ll do the same for the newest addition.”

He pulled her closer and just held her. She was his, and nothing would take that away. It had been years since he’d found her in the forest, and things had changed for them so much in that short time. She was his mate, the mother of his children, and the female he was meant to be with. He felt that deep within his body, consuming every part of him.

“Momma.”

The sound of Ryker had Audrey sitting up.

“Come here, baby.”

Because Ryker was up, Kai, his twin, rose as well. Their three-year-old boys were spitting images of Styx, and he hoped their daughter was just like Audrey, sweet and beautiful, and with a head full of bright red hair.

The boys got onto their sleeping pallet, lying between them, and snuggled against their chests. Styx wrapped his arms around his children and mate and held them close. He leaned down to kiss his female on the crown of her head.

He had a beautiful family, two healthy sons and a daughter on the way. His mate was healthy, content, and cared for him. That was all he could ask for.