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“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” EVERYONE called out while Walter tried to get all of his things.
“There is so much love in a place full of wolves.” Amethyst smiled toward the group. She grabbed his hand and one of her nails dug into his palm. The pain reminded him of something else.
Like a movie, the dots connected in his memory. The one pinch from the paralyzing drug Kerine injected. Then her placing him by the stone. She chanted and pulled the magic from him but something new filled his mind this time. “This world is full of wolves, one day when the planets align my stones will make all the wolves weak and the hunters will be able to take all of them out.” She pulled more magic with her chant, bringing him close to death.
Walter blinked a few times and walked right up to his sister and pulled her into a room.
“What’s going on?” Maria asked as he closed the door. He hoped the noise from the other room would drown out his voice and not freak everyone else out. Walter didn’t need the entire pack hearing the news he wanted to share with his sister.
“I remember what Kerine did to me.” Walter’s stomach turned into knots. So much dread sunk into his soul.
“What do you mean?” She raised her eyebrow as she shifted her weight. Any day her pregnancy would reach full term for her twins bringing him another niece and nephew.
“She took my memories, Maria. It’s one of the reasons I stayed so long. I also stayed to protect you and your family.” He shook his head. She rolled her eyes reminding him of when they were children, he knew she didn’t believe him.
“Kerine is dead so why are you bringing this up?” Maria put her hands on her hips which frustrated the hell out of Walter. He needed her to understand the depth of this freaking problem.
“She pulled my magic from me and put it into stones.” He rubbed his chest as he remembered how it felt when she pulled the magic from his chest. The burning sensation still stung even from the memories. “These damn stones aren’t good for the werewolf community, I can’t tell you exactly how but I have this gut feeling something bad will happen.”
“And? She’s dead.” Maria tried to walk away but Walter blocked her. Why won’t she just believe me? Oh, I’m the bad brother still. He ground his teeth together before letting out a shaky breath.
“What if they can still be activated? She may not have told me her whole plan but she might have told others. Like the hunters.” Walter leaned forward trying to drive home his point.
“Hunters don’t like witches. What do they have to gain by teaming up with her?” Maria shook her head while confusion filled her gaze.
“I don’t know.” Walter shrugged but the bad feeling in his gut still didn’t settle.
“Thank you for telling me but like I said, she’s dead. She can’t hurt anyone.” Maria walked away leaving him alone for a moment before Amethyst popped her head in.
“Ready to go?” she asked.
“Yes.” Walter walked out and met Aiden’s gaze. The frustration of his announcement returned.
Fucking heat? Are you kidding me? Walter shoved his hand through his hair and they walked out to the truck. Even when they strolled into the house, the way Aiden announced Amethyst was about to go into heat soon still grated against his nerves. He didn’t want children so soon and when he said as much Amethyst’s mood shifted completely. Her smile seemed forced when they talked during dinner and dessert.
“I think I’m going to bed.” Amethyst moved toward the stairs but Walter stopped her.
“What’s wrong?” Walter didn’t like how disheartened she’d become after his little announcement about not wanting kids.
“Nothing.” Amethyst shrugged, her gaze never met his. He wanted a better answer, he may not know the cause of her distress but he knew she lied to him.
“Amethyst.” Walter glared at her until she met his gaze. He resisted the urge to grab her chin.
“I thought you wanted a family, damn it. But obviously, you don’t as you announced at your birthday party.” Her blue eyes glinted with anger, the fire made his freaking cock harden. Walter tried to push down the urge to mate but his dick had other ideas.
“I’m not ready for children. I mean really, are you ready for children? You told Collin off the day we met.” Walter threw his hands up in exasperation. Silence fell in the house for a few moments.
“I actually do want children, Walter. I didn’t want them with Collin.” Amethyst glared back.
“Well, you never said a thing about them.” Walter tried to put the blame on her but deep down he knew he would have never asked about children.
“Oh yes I did, when we first bonded,” Amethyst reminded him and he felt freaking stupid. “The last few days have been all about getting to know each other to see if we’re a good match.” Amethyst pushed her finger into his chest.
“Damn it, this is not how I wanted this night to end.” Walter didn’t want to fight with her.
“Well, I want to go to bed. I gave you your present so I’m going to relax.” Amethyst walked around him. Walter debated on whether he wanted to follow her or not. His raging hard-on did the thinking for him.
He walked up the stairs and into his room but Amethyst wasn’t in there. Walter took in a deep breath to try to calm himself down. She’s my mate, she will sleep in my fucking bed.
Walter did his best not to storm down the hallway to the spare room, she rested with her body facing away from him. She held her phone up instead of holding it to her ear. A male’s face looked back to her. He had the same brown hair but way shorter and large black glasses.
“Dad, I have something to tell you and Mom. Where is she?” Amethyst spoke low. Walter leaned against the doorframe to listen in. She may get pissed at him later but he wanted to hear.
“I’m here, sweetheart,” a female voice called out, and the screen adjusted to show both of them. Her mom had short blonde hair, and both had Amethyst’s blue eyes.
“I have two bits of news, the first is I left Collin but the bastard bit me.” Amethyst rubbed her leg where Collin had bit her.
“He bit you?” her mom asked, her voice raised.
“I’m a werewolf, Momma,” Amethyst spoke low but obviously, her parents heard.
“Are you happy with your wolf side?” her dad asked while adjusting his glasses. Walter wondered the same thing as her father.
“We get along great which brings the second piece of news, I found my mate.” Amethyst sounded happy but Walter wasn’t sure.
“Oh! That’s so sweet.” Her mother smiled brightly.
“Yes, sweet but he doesn’t want kids, Momma. I’m about to go into heat and I don’t want to trap him into something he doesn’t want.” Amethyst sighed. This declaration broke part of Walter and he barely managed to keep quiet in his spot.
“Let me tell you something from a guy’s side. Men will never be ready for children. I was still scared as hell when your mother found out she was pregnant and I thought we weren’t ready then. When you were born I worried I’d mess you up somehow but look at you.” Her dad sighed. “You’re a beautiful, strong woman. I love you so much, sweetie pie.”
“I love you too, Daddy.” Amethyst rubbed the phone on his side. Walter liked hearing her with her parents. When Maria had hung out with her outside of the house, he never had a chance to meet them.
“You better take care of my daughter, young man. She’s special and I don’t care if you’re a wolf or a human, I’ll hunt you down and kick your ass.” Her father looked toward Walter and it took him a second to realize he spoke to him. Amethyst turned to face Walter who stood leaning against the doorjamb.
“I promise to take care of her, sir,” Walter spoke louder than he normal. His stomach fluttered with nerves, he never expected to be talking to her parents. Maybe I should’ve given her space but it’s too late.
“It’s Cole and my wife, Tris. We will be coming to visit in a few days.” Cole smiled and looked at Amethyst.
“You’re welcome to stay with us.” Walter nodded toward the phone.
“We need to get some sleep, sweetie pie. You have a good night.” Tris winked and the video call ended, leaving Amethyst and Walter in silence.
“Let’s go to bed and we can talk in the morning.” He pushed out his hand and Amethyst studied it.
“I can sleep in here.” Amethyst rubbed the bed and anger spiked through Walter’s body.
“You’re my mate and my mate will sleep next to me.” Walter raised an eyebrow.
“And if I don’t want to?” She leaned toward him, her lovely tits pressed against the cotton of her shirt.
“Your body language is saying something else.” Walter resisted picking her up and carrying her caveman style.
“I can smell your arousal.” She placed a hand on his shoulder.
“You’re not in heat yet. We can have some fun before we have to talk about kids.”
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea.” She looked up at him through her eyelashes.
“I made your father a promise and intend to keep it.” He climbed up her body and she squirmed under him. His cock pressed against his jeans, ready to enter her warm little core.
“We can do it tomorrow. Maybe we should go to bed.” She pressed into his chest, gently. Frustration rolled through his system. They had argued enough for the night, he didn’t understand why she couldn’t let this go.
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