Munro had already been struggling not to fall upon her constantly, to give her room to breathe. But the more he had of her, the more he wanted. The pleasure was decadent.
She’d been delighted with their full-moon interludes in the woods, though her own beast had fought against her cuff more on those nights.
Will followed his gaze to the sky. “Chloe and I can stick around here, just in case.” They’d planned on running the woods of Conall that night. Will still hadn’t unleashed his beast since Munro’s capture and escape.
“No’ a chance. You two go enjoy the night.”
With that settled, they tinkered with the car seats, locating the anchors to strap down the bases. Job complete, Will said, “Going to go wake up my mate.” He waggled his brows. “The hard way.”
Munro had to laugh. “Off you go.”
After cleaning up the mountain of packaging, he slipped upstairs to his own mate.
A ray of moonlight shone through the window to bathe Kereny’s sleeping form. She turned toward the light, sighing at the comforting warmth. Silver illuminated her beautiful features and transformed body.
He sat beside her in their bed, stroking her long hair, but she slumbered on. Cocking his head, he listened for the bairns, sensing their heartbeats. When he placed his hand on her rounded belly, his Instinct declared —Future.—
Had his da felt this way when he’d sensed his own lads? Had Dùghlas and Ailis MacRieve shared a kiss and a hope for the days to come?
He wondered if they were looking down upon Munro and Will, cheering them on. Was Tàmhas pulling for his own da to do well? Munro missed his family, but he couldn’t grieve them, because they lived on.
His parents had sacrificed for their children—the best way to honor them was to live a good life. He would do the past proud by creating a new future. He murmured to the laddies, “Ach, you wee fuckers. What a time we’ll have of it.”
His voice must have awakened them; movement fluttered beneath his hand. Munro grinned like a madman in the dark.
Then came a tiny hand pressing against her skin. As if they recognized him.
Munro’s heart swelled until it throttled his lungs.
No breath. All feeling.
Hand shaking on her belly, he whispered, “Lads, be gentle with my treasured mate till I can bear some of this. I believe in her and the two of you. As your mam once told me, we can do this together. Aye, then? Everyone together.”
A tear slipped down Ren’s cheek, even as her lips curved. We believe in you too.
SIXTY-FIVE
“You wish we were out running,” Ren told Munro.
“Nay, lass, I’m happy right where I am.” They sat on the den’s couch together. He’d taken her aching feet into his lap, massaging them.
It was late on the night of the full moon, but Glenrial still buzzed. They had the windows open to the laughter, music, and howls, those sounds filling her with peace. I’m very happy with my monster life.
After months of practice, Munro had finally mastered his beast under the light. The incentive was there. After reading that intercourse might bring on labor, he’d said, “No’ on your bloody life! No’ when we’re days from the finish line. Does no’ matter that my beast is clawing me, and my cock feels like a crowbar.” Her eloquent mate.
Ren’s own beast had prowled for freedom as well, just as it did each full moon and with each training session. She glanced at her cuff. Somehow her temporary solution had lasted all this time.
She looked forward to the day when her future didn’t depend on an accessory. But the beast forever pawed at her control, and she forever swiped back. Though she’d managed to go a little longer without her cuff, she could tell her lack of progress concerned Munro.
Sometimes her attempts struck her as futile, like trying to put out a forest fire—with a million tiny drops of blood.
Munro said, “Besides, these feet will no’ rub themselves.” He tenderly kneaded her instep. “My puir, wee mate with her puir, wee paws.”
She snorted. “And her colossal belly.”
“I happen to like that belly.” His voice grew husky. “And those breasts. And hips. And even these wee paws.” He’d proven as insatiable for her as she’d been for him. He started getting that look in his eyes, but visibly checked himself. “No’ much longer now. Kereny, once we get these lads born . . .”
His ominous tone heated her blood.
He muttered to himself, “Mind on something else,” as he continued her massage.
A particularly loud howl sounded from nearby, and fireworks popped. She’d learned that Lykae young turned into hooligans under the full moon. “Do you think Rónan and Benneit are behaving themselves?”
The brothers had gone to a beach campout on the Gulf of Mexico with some witches. Ren and Munro had been nervous about letting them leave Glenrial, but the witches had their own protections against warlocks.