Beneath a Moonless Sky - Book One (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Nineteen

I’m jolted awake by a knee in my bladder and roll out of bed landing on the floor, clutching at the assaulted organ.

“Zoo! Zoo! Zoo! Zoo! Zoo!” My two excited children jump up and down on my bed already dressed and ready for their adventure to the zoo. I groan as I stand and head to relieve my bruised bladder. Stepping out after I’ve finished Mia and Luca are still bouncing on the bed when the doorbell rings. I look at them with wide eyes and a wide smile.

“I think that’s daddy, ready to take you to the zoo with Uncle Fergus!” I say excitedly. Their little faces fill with shock before they squeal their way towards the door. I chuckle as I follow slowly after them into the kitchen. I pull my hair out of its bun and shake it with my hand as I glance into the fridge for something to drink. I grab the juice and turn to see a frozen Lucian in the doorway, Mia and Luca hanging off an arm each. His eyes are focused solely on me, the deep blue darker than I’ve ever seen them, his mouth in a tight line. I give a small wave and bend over to grab some cups.

“Hey, did you want anything to drink?” I pour myself and the twins a glass and set theirs in front of them as they settle into their chairs on the island. He shakes his head as if to clear it before shutting the door and walking in more to the house.

“Uh, no thanks. I’m good.” He keeps his eyes averted and I shrug, turning to put the juice back in the fridge. In the process I knock down a water bottle making it land by my feet.

“Shoot.” I bend over and grab it off the floor and hear a low growl behind me. Shoving the water back in the fridge I turn back around and flip my hair back over my shoulder. He’s sitting at the island now, his focus on the story Mia is telling him, but I can tell he’s not paying attention. His mind is somewhere else. Luca slurps loudly at his juice, spilling some on his shirt. Being the mother I am, I grab a tea towel and lean over the island to wipe at his face and shirt, warming a cheeky smile from Luca. There’s that low growl again. I glance towards Lucian and he stands suddenly.

“Toilet?” I point down the hall and then point right. Nodding furiously, he rushes off as the front door opens, Fergus letting himself in.

“Good morning loves.”

“Good morning. Breakfast?” I turn to the cupboards and grab the porridge out for the twins and start preparing it.

“No thanks, love. Love the pjs though.” I glance down at my pyjamas in confusion.

“What’s wrong with my pyjamas?” Fergus smirks as he comes closer, whispering so the twins can’t hear.

“They’re a bit revealing love. Although I’m sure Lucian won’t mind.” A blush creeps on to my cheeks as I realise how short my pj shorts are, and how right my tank top is. I rush out of the kitchen and straight to my bedroom where I chuck on my dressing gown. When I return, Lucian is at the island with Mia on his lap while she eats her porridge and Fergus gives me a knowing look and a wink. I discreetly flip him the bird and take a sip of my orange juice.

Fergus and Lucian make conversation as I potter around getting the twins’ bag ready.

“So, Fergus I’ve packed some snacks for them if they get hungry, their bottles and anything else I think you’ll need for the messy little monsters.”

I hand the bag to him and walk them to the door. The twins give me big smooches on the cheek and then run to the car after Lucian.

“Bye babies. Have fun with Uncle Fergus and daddy!” They drove away and I walked back into the house.

“Well now what?” 

***

Lucian POV

I’d left Elaina’s house last night feeling high as a kite. My children knew I was their father and accepted it. They were so amazing. Kind, funny, curious. Elaina has done a great job raising them. And I couldn’t wait to be there to watch them grow up.

I’d also kissed Elaina. Her lips on mine had felt so right, her hands in my hair made my body tingle. She drove me crazy and I couldn’t get enough of her. Damn Fergus for interrupting us. If he hadn’t done so who knows where it might have led to. My heart clenches at the thought. My body craved for her, I craved for her. Her smile, her laugh, her voice. Everything about her. I love that woman more than life itself. I felt such guilt at what I’d done to her more than ever though after she’d told me what had happened after I’d left.

Her own mother had tried to make her have an abortion and when she’d refused to do so she was kicked out onto the street. Thank goddess for Fergus, or else who knows what could have happened to Elaina and the babies. I made a vow after hearing her story that I would do whatever it took to make it up to her. I would give her anything she wanted, do anything she said. I was hers to use as she pleases. She deserved the world.

I was looking forward to going to the zoo with the twins today and bonding with them more. I walked towards Elaina’s house with a spring in my step, the aspect of seeing Elaina again made my heart sing. Ringing the doorbell I wait patiently as I hear the thunder of little feet and squeals of joy. The door swings open and I’m greeted by the two cutest faces I’ve ever seen.

“Daddy!” They scream together, jumping on an arm each as I step into the door, and freeze.

Elaina just walked out of the hallway and it takes all my power to stop Fenris from taking control as we watch her as he reaches up and pulls her fiery red hair from its bun. We’re mesmerised as it tumbles down her back, her fingers shaking the curls loose. Her tank top clings tightly to her body and breasts and her shorts showed the edge of her butt cheeks, hanging low on her hips. My mouth goes dry as I watch her bend into the fridge, all conscious thoughts leaving my brain. Then her dark green eyes are staring into mine and it takes everything in me not to rush up to her, take her in my arms and kiss her senseless. Fenris was growling at me to mark her right then and there. She gives me a small wave and offers me a drink bending forward giving me a good view of the crests of her breasts. I shake my head and politely decline, walking further into the house. As she returns the juice to the fridge, she knocks something out and bends to retrieve me. My eyes nearly bulge out my head as I avert my eyes and sit down beside Mia who is telling me a story about the unicorn and hippo in her dream. Fenris is in a frenzy, practically foaming at the mouth for her. My attention is pulled to Luca as he slurps at his juice, and Elaina leans over the island with a tea towel and wipes his chin, again giving me a good view of her breasts. A low growl rumbles in my chest before I can stop it. Her eyes fall on me and I stand quickly. “Toilet?” I rush off and lock myself in the bathroom, splashing water on my face, trying to snap myself out it. I was going to let her make the next move. I’d already pushed enough when I kissed her last night. The next move was hers to make.

No!  Fenris screamed at me, his energy trying to push for dominance. We have to make her ours! She is ours! We must claim her now! I clutch at the edge of the basin and take a few deep breaths as I stare into the mirror.

“You know we can’t do that, Fenris. She has been through too much because of us.” I stare into my eyes, knowing that Fenris would know I was right. With a huff, he retreated into my mind and took a seat back as I gave myself a few more seconds to cool down before walking out of the bathroom. Fergus is preparing the porridge for the kids and placed it in front of them. I pick up Mia from her seat and place her on my lap after I’ve sat down.

“So, Lucian, what was it like being with another pack?” I turn to Fergus.

“Weird. A lot of their traditions and customs were different to ours. Some were good and I’m thinking of talking to Magnus about implementing them.” I notice Elaina walk in from the side of my vision, tightening her robe around her. A part of me is a bit disappointed at this but then the other part thanked her for doing so because I don’t know how long I could have kept my hands off her. “It was hard learning their schedule, their training. But I’m definitely glad to be home.”

When Elaina had packed the kid’s bags, we walked out to the car and I buckled them in. As we drove away, I found myself wanting to go back, take her in my arms and make her mine. But it was not my decision to make. I wanted her to come to me because she wants to. But it didn’t mean I couldn’t be impatient. And Fenris inside my head huffing and growling every five seconds did not help whatsoever.