Page 2 of Little Howl of Moon

You’re hiding something else.

My chest ached because she was right.

“All right,” I exhaled. “I need to take care of Steel. It’s time for him to find a mate, although it is a little earlier than I expected. I can feel their bonds awakening. And then I can take care of our family. We will talk. Is that okay?”

Trixie nodded, her brows pulling together in concern. She glanced over at Steel, her shoulders relaxing. “Yes. Take care of him.”

I exhaled as her hand slipped into mine, and she gave me a gentle squeeze.

“I love you,” I murmured. “I will make it up to you.”

“You sure fucking will.”

Gods help me. “Enough,” I barked, silencing the room.

Tana’s cheeks were scarlet and it was clear Jace had pissed her off. Luca and Bell were scowling at each other. Those two had always been oil and water. Layla was sulking.

Lucy stood up and joined Trixie and I, which was good. We needed him.

“I am going to take care of Steel,” I said, glancing over at him. Steel shoved his clawed hands deeper in his pockets, looking away from me. “And then we will have a discussion about what is happening, and what your Dad and I fear may have awakened this last week. What might be after Layla and Luca. I think this perhaps calls for a round of our special occasion dessert drinks.”

That perked everyone up. The special occasion drink was a hot chocolate with adecafcoffee, although we’d certainly never disclosed that, plus whipped cream. It was always a hit and always delicious, and seemed to be a soothing balm for everyone.

“Your mom and I will make them,” Lucy announced. “While Steel is cared for.”

“I can help,” Tana said excitedly. “I learned how to pull espresso shots just last week. I’m already better at it than everyone else.”

Luca snorted, but didn’t argue with her. “We’ll have to see then, huh?”

“I’m sure you’re better at it than Luca,” Bell chuckled.

“Bell, I’m going to?—”

“Hey,” Lucy growled, his wings spreading behind him. “We do not threaten violence in this house. To the kitchen. All of you.”

He wrangled our children and they moved as a unit, leaving the living room. Steel lingered awkwardly as he put clawed hands behind his back.

Trixie shook her head with a snort and looked up at me. “You want to know what I just realized?”

“What?” I asked.

“We should have guessed Layla would be like you. She’s been playing matchmaker since she was a child.”

“That’s because she isyourdaughter,” I chuckled.

“And yours.”

“A double shot, if you will.”

Trixie smiled, and put her hands on her hips. “We knew this would be hard sometimes. We’ll figure this all out, whatever danger is coming. All five of them are different and will draw attention, but we’ve got this.”

“We do,” I said, although I wasn’t entirely sure if that was truthful. Tana, of all our kids, worried me the most. Even more than Layla or Luca sometimes . . .

Trixie leaned up and kissed me, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever been so grateful to feel her lips on mine. With a faint smile, she headed for the kitchen. I drew in a breath, focusing on her scent and resisting the urge to haul her back into my arms.

But, I had a monster to match.

“Steel,” I said, turning around to face him.