“I’ll remember that.” He led me back to the couches and had me sit in a chair while he folded up the sheet on the couch Emmett was sleeping on.
He threw a match into the fire at it lit instantly. He took my wine glass and set it on the table before pulling me onto his couch. I settled back into him, breathing in his sweet woody scent. He wrapped his arms around me and buried his face into my hair, doing the
same.
It was so nice just to be with him; I felt like the version of myself that I always wanted to be. I was a shell of myself with Nolan, and I didn’t like who I became; I gave up all of myself to become the perfect Luna and partner for him. With Caspien I felt like I was the person that I always wanted to be, who I truly was. I didn’t give up anything to be with him, but I gained so much.
“Can I talk to you?” I murmured into his warm chest.
“Always.”
I pulled back from his embrace to look into his churning blue eyes.
“I want you; I want to be with you. I want to accept you as my mate.”
His eyes widened before his hand came to my neck, pulling me towards him. His lips met mine, and an explosion of sparks crashed through me, warming me. I had more to say but didn’t want to break the intense kiss. His tongue explored my mouth, and my stomach curled as his other hand wrapped around me.
I pulled back breathlessly, needing air.
“But-“
He kissed my nose.
“Wait for a second,” I laughed, “But I need some time.”
“As much as you need,” He promised, biting the bottom of my lip. My stomach clenched at the movement.
“I want to make sure, with Emmett. I know you guys got along today, but if it were just me, I would have you mark me right now.”
Caspian eyes flashed black, and he growled lowly, lowering his mouth to my marking spot and s.ucked it sending shivers running down me as I let out a gasp.
“But it’s not just about me,” I forced myself to go on, “You both have to accept each other. I don’t even know how you would feel about that if you wanted kids or how he would fit in.”
“Well, we obviously would have to paint his room blue,” Caspien pulled back, and I felt like I could breathe again, “But I would like you both to live here. I want you in my life, both of you. I don’t want him because of you. I want him as mine.”
My stomach dipped, and I looked at his face; I didn’t just want him to be saying that. It was too soon, they barely had any time together.
“I like the kid. Atlas has already claimed his as his,” Caspien gave me a genuine smile.
“He did?” I asked.
Werewolves were possessive, especially Alphas. I didn’t think an Alpha wolf would ever claim another man’s child.
Caspien nodded, “From the moment you mentioned you had a child.”
I chewed my lip, that made me feel better than he could have imagined.
“He’s not baggage, he’s not a burden. I got a mate and a bonus.”
I laughed at that, “Thank you,” I touched my forehead to his, closing my eyes.
“I know I don’t know him well, but from what I’ve seen, he’s a good kid. I didn’t think I would get along with him as well as I did; I’m surprised he wasn’t scared of me.” His voice was low.
“It means the world to hear that; I think he really liked you too. No, I know he did. But this is forever, and it’s not just about me. I need to make sure for both of your sakes. That both you and Emmett want to be a family.”
A wide smile spread across his face, “A family, I like that.” I couldn’t help but return his smile.
“Did you ever want kids?” I asked.
He shrugged, “I honestly didn’t overthink about it. It’s assumed as an Alpha that I would carry on the line and have an heir, but I never decided for myself if I wanted them. But I think I do. Since I met you, I would love to create a life with you.”
That took my breath away. I honestly didn’t think about having more kids, but with him, I wanted that. I wanted to have a pregnancy with someone that worshipped me; I wanted to have a child whose father was there during my labor and was one of the first people to hold our child.
I wouldn’t give up Emmett for the world, but I wished so much for both of our sakes that his father was there for it all and wanted to be there.
“Of course, that’s in the future,” He added.
The future, our future.
It was like something clicked. We had a future together, and I could really see it now. It didn’t feel like something in the distance anymore it was something that was already falling into place.
“I do have to ask you, though,” Caspien’s voice turned serious, “Does Nolan have any legal rights over Emmett?”
I bit my lip, “I don’t think so?”
“He’s not on the birth certificate?” I shook my head, “Was he notified of the birth?”
“No? He knew I was pregnant.” I trailed off, obviously.
“Oh,” Caspien looked worried, “I don’t know human rules, and they don’t apply here anyway, but for werewolves, the father has to be notified of the birth of their child.”
“But-“
“I know, in this situation it’s stupid. But legally, you have to notify him of the birth, then he has thirty days, I think, in order to accept responsibility.”
“Emmett is almost five,” I said flatly.
“I know, but just so that he can’t come back in the future.”
My stomach dropped; what if he decided to accept responsibility? What would that mean?
“It’s archaic, some werewolf claim; you know how possessive we can be.” He almost rolled his eyes, “But also it makes sense, so people know they have a child out there if the mother decided to leave without telling the father.” I nodded, it made sense, but I didn’t know that was a thing.
“I would feel better knowing that he has no legal claim, “Caspien went on.
“So, how does it work? How do I know his response?”
“You send a notarized letter, make sure it gets into his hands, and then if he does nothing for the month, then it’s void. If he wanted to lay a claim, he can contact you.”
“Okay,” I was suddenly filled with anxiety.
I knew Nolan didn’t want to claim the child, but what if he did something out of spite? I still didn’t understand what I did to make him almost hate me and reject me in public without any guilt.
Caspien rubbed my cheek with the back of his finger, “We can do it tomorrow, have it sent out, I’ll have one of my men go and deliver it personally and confirm that he received and opened it. Just to put it behind us.” “Okay,” I nodded.
“It will be okay, then we can move forward completely and legally.” I nodded again, not really sure what moving forward legally entailed.
“Now, let’s focus on something else,” I opened my eyes, and he pulled me back to his chest. His scent momentarily distracted me, but anxiety still tugged at me.
He rubbed circles on my back, and I breathed deeper, settling into him. His hand slipped under my shirt and continued rubbing my back; the warmth and sparks danced on my skin under his touch.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.