She was the mother of his children, the reason he breathed every day. Pushing down the animal fur that covered them, he placed his hand over her swollen belly. She was due with their third child any day now, and he couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. Before Audrey and his children had come into his life, Styx had found nothing to be pleased about. He lived every day just surviving, wanting a mate, a family, but being alone, he knew that might never happen.
“It’s cold,” Audrey whispered, but he saw the smile on her face, scented the teasing notes coming from her. She opened her eyes and looked up at him.
He still had his hand on her belly and felt their child kick.
She ran her hand over his bicep, and for long seconds, they just lay there in silence. “Husband, tell me what we’re having,” she said softly.
Gods, he’d never get tired of her calling him “mate” or “husband.” He pulled back slightly and looked down at her. “I thought you wanted this time to be a surprise?”
She rested her head right over his heart. “I think surprises are overrated.”
He chuckled softly. Styx rubbed his hand over her belly for several long seconds, and then he answered. “It’s a girl, wife,” he said just as softly, not wanting to wake their twin boys that slept on the other side of the cave.
She snuggled in closer to him.
“A little girl,” she repeated softly, and lifted her hand to touch his cheek.
Styx’s species had heightened senses, and because of that he’d been able to scent his children’s gender early on. But this last time she hadn’t wanted to know right away, or she hadn’t in the beginning.
“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.
Styx stared at Audrey as she held their children close. Ryker had his little finger twined around a lock of her hair as he drifted off. Soon the boys fell asleep, and emotion filled him. It was only with them that he showed this gentler side.
He might be a hardened warrior, had killed countless beasts in order to survive, and would continue to do that every day for the rest of his life, but he knew this was exactly where he was supposed to be.
These three, soon to be four, people were his world, and nothing and no one would ever change that. He drifted off to sleep with his family beside him, his hand on Audrey’s belly, and the world at his feet. This was what it meant to truly survive, to be a male of worth.
He was never letting go.
The End.