“Everyone out. We’ll be fine on our own for the day. You can come back tonight.”
Xander ushered everyone toward the door, waiting for Ax to make a smart-ass remark, and smiled when, as he opened his mouth, Xander slammed the door in his face and locked it. He armed the system and ran upstairs, all of this with Frost pressed close to his chest. He gently lowered her onto the bed and with deft movements, ripped her clothing off her. He stood, amazed at her round belly and the fact that this woman, his mate, loved him.
“Please.”
He quickly discarded his clothing. He laid down on the bed next to her and turned her onto her side. When she was comfortable, he lay behind her, pressing his chest to her back, and wrapped his arms around her. His mouth found the sensitive part of her neck, just below her ear, and started nipping at it. He shivered as she moaned at the sensations.
His hands weren’t idle. He ran his fingers along her throat before he caressed lower, drawing sexy moans from her wherever he touched her. She gasped as he tweaked her nipple, holding it between his thumb and forefinger and squeezed, adding only a little pressure.
“Fuck, Xander. More.”
“I love how you experience pleasure. And the words that come from your mouth drive me crazy.”
Another rush of scent washed over him and unable to stay away, he ran his hands down until his fingers rested on her clit. He flicked the sensitized nub until she cried out with her first orgasm. He coated his fingers with her release and brought his hand to his mouth, sucking her sweet taste off his fingers.
“I need your cock. Now.”
“Oh, God, sweetheart. I’m going to fuck you until you come all over my hard, pounding cock.”
The moan that escaped her throat had him harden further, if that were even possible. With quick movements, he lifted her leg and draped it over his hip, exposing her and allowing him to press forward with ease. Moving his fingers back to her clit, he waited until she cried out from the ongoing sensations from her over-sensitized nub before he slid deep inside her with one thrust. His other arm slipped underneath her and held her tight to his body as he started to move. The vibrations of her first orgasm still coursed through her and with every thrust, she panted his name and begged for more.
“It’s been too long.”
“Sweetheart…I took you yesterday in the shower…and then again in my office.” He panted as the pleasure started to overwhelm him.
“I know, but that was yesterday. I need you.”
“You have me, sweetheart. You always will.”
She rocked back against him as he drove his hips forward, finding a rhythm that had both of them keening as her orgasm approached. With one hand pinching her nipples and the other rubbing circles against her clit, she pressed back against him and cried out. Her muscles clamped down on his cock as her come washed over him. The sudden pressure and her wetness had him shouting her name as he buried himself deep inside and let go.
The pulse of his cock had her shivering against him, and another wave of pleasure washed over her. For the next few seconds, she squeezed every ounce of come from him.
This time, it took him a few minutes to catch his breath. He could feel her shaking from the intensity of their lovemaking, and he held her tightly, kissing her neck until her shivers subsided and she fell limp against him.
“I love you, Xander.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart.”
Surprise shook him when she wiggled out of his grasp, but when she pushed him onto his back and crawled on his lap, he opened his mouth to protest. That protest died when she sank down on his still hard cock, drawing a groan from both of them. He had closed his eyes, but they flew open when Frost licked a swath near his collarbone. He sucked in a breath when he watched as her teeth elongated for the first time since she’d transitioned. She leaned forward, and without hesitation, pierced his skin with her teeth and released her venom into his bloodstream. The pleasure from her bite was so great, he gripped Frost’s hips and kept her hips flush with his as he released for a second time deep inside her.
When she pulled back and sealed his punctures with a lick, she rocked her hips against his and he reached for her clit again. With all the sensations swirling around him, Frost’s release rocked him to his core. She dropped down onto his chest, and he held her for the longest time. He savored this quiet moment with her, until her body sagged with exhaustion. He laid her down and propped her belly with a body pillow to relieve some of the pressure on her back, and turned to face her.
They were quiet for a long while, thinking about everything and nothing as they savored this time together.
“You know when they find out about Silas, Anzû and his goons will target him.”
“Why do you think that?” Xander felt fear chill him to the bone.
“Because he’s unique, and people who crave power collect what’s unique. Their dedication to power gives them an advantage.”
Xander shook his head. “I won’t allow that to happen. Our family won’t allow that to happen.”
Frost sensed his panic, because she smiled and ran her hands over her stomach. “I’m going to miss being this close to him.” She hummed and they both felt his barrier fall. Silas sensed their tension and sent out waves of contentment and happiness. Frost laughed and rubbed her belly.
“We love you, too, baby.”
As they relaxed into sleep, Xander made a promise to himself that he would protect them, no matter how far he had to go to do it.
Chapter Thirteen
Frost
Frost waddled from the kitchen after having demolished a sandwich, an entire pie topped with hot sauce, and a vanilla milkshake. During her pregnancy, chocolate made her sick to her stomach, much to her disappointment. She walked through the doorway and turned slightly so that her bump wouldn’t hit and groaned when she heard the others in the living room as they chuckled at her predicament. She casually flipped them off, which only made them laugh harder, as she finally made it through.
The past month had been quiet, no word from Anzû or anyone else. The assassins quietly left for jobs that popped up here and there, but for the most part, they stuck close, waiting for the moment Silas would be introduced to the world. It had been relaxing, except for the fact that she ate everything in sight mixed with condiments she didn’t even know existed until Xander had gone to the store and bought one of everything he found. She and Silas slept quite a bit, on the couch or an armchair if she couldn’t be bothered to head upstairs to bed. Although she had read about the symptoms of pregnancy and Liv had asked her, almost weekly, about everything from tender breasts to morning sickness, the cravings and sleep were all that were different now. But she could understand her cravings. Her shifter mix genes, along with feeding Silas, who grew so quickly, made her hungry at almost hour intervals.
She snarled at the group as she walked closer, but paused when she felt a warm gush between her legs. Only a second later, she doubled over as her first contraction struck.
“Liv?” She choked.
Xander came from somewhere in the house and wrapped a comforting arm around her, taking her weight easily, while he rubbed circles on her back with his other hand.
“Is it time?” Liv sounded calm until she glanced down and spotted what had alarmed Frost in the first place. Then she sprang into action. “Seth, fill the tub and get the medical supplies.”
The contraction passed and she was able to stand with Xander’s help. When she glanced up, she couldn’t help the bark of laughter that erupted from her throat. Around her, the most capable and deadly assassins in the world sat frozen as they stared at her.
“Baby, you’ll be here soon, but I think we broke your aunts and uncles.”
“Are you in pain, sweetheart?”
She shook her head. “Not now that the contraction has passed. It’s been thirty seconds. Could you count until the next one?”
“No pain then?”
“Just pressure.” She groaned. �
��Well, it’s a heavy pressure and a little pain.”
Seth appeared at the top of the stairs. “Everything’s ready.”
She took a step, but blew out a relieved breath when Xander picked her up and carried her toward the stairs. Before he was halfway across the living room, the assassins snapped out of their stupor and made to follow them, but stopped in their tracks when Xander growled a warning.
“Not a fucking chance, especially Ax. Not one of you will see Frost naked, even while giving birth. Sit back down.”
Ax looked a little put out, but when she moaned as the next contraction took hold, he immediately took his seat on the couch. Jade walked toward them and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“You’ll do great, girlfriend.” Jade rubbed Frost’s stomach, and the pain eased a little with her touch. “You too, little man.”
Losing patience, Xander turned and rushed upstairs, taking care not to jar her. Which, at that point, didn’t matter anyway because the contractions hurt like a son of a bitch. Not that she would admit that out loud and freak Xander out. When they reached the master bathroom, Liv and Seth stood by the side of the tub as Xander lowered her in. He waited until she leaned back against some bath pillows he bought for the occasion, before stripping off her pants and underwear, leaving her naked from the waist down.
As the feeling of the warm water surrounded her and Silas, she took a deep breath as the buoyancy of the water relieved some of the pressure. But another contraction hit just as she tried to relax in the tub. She ignored it when Liv clambered over the tub and sank down on her knees in front of Frost, examining her. Frost’s breath rushed out when a particularly strong compression had her biting her lip, preventing the curse from slipping out.
“Okay sweetie, this is going to be quick. Silas is ready.” Liv tried to sound encouraging.
Frost was swamped with anxiety as Silas heard and understood his Aunt Liv’s words. She rubbed her hands over her belly and relaxed back, but the tub and the pillows weren’t cutting it. Xander sensed this and crawled into the tub, placing himself between Frost and the hard surface, and immediately Silas sent relieved waves of happiness throughout the room.
“Thank…you.”
“I would do anything for you. This is nothing, sweetheart. I’m sorry I can’t take the pain from you.”
Leaning against his shoulder, she tilted her head to the side so she could look at Xander. “You gave us a son, and I’m willing to endure anything for him. Are you ready?”
Xander’s searing kiss was enough of an answer that when the kiss ended, she turned back to Liv, determined. On the next contraction, which was now timed at exactly three minutes apart, she nodded at Liv, ready for instructions. Her eyes darted up and watched Seth prepare the tray in case of a C-section, but she purposely ignored it when another wave of pain struck.
Time stopped having meaning and the moments became blurred as the throbbing pain pulled her out of her own consciousness. She managed to reassure Silas that she wasn’t in pain, encouraging Xander to speak to him, because he always calmed when his daddy talked to him. She also managed to bite back most of the curses that wanted to slip through her clenched teeth, but a few slipped through when she had been too far gone to care.
When Liv finally asked her to push, it had been a relief. She was an immortal, but giving birth was painful at the best of times. Other times, she felt as though she was being split in half and didn’t know how she would survive. But after being asked several times to push, the pain in her body lessened and she concentrated on Liv as she asked her to bear down once more.
There was a flurry of activity, but her eyes had closed when Liv had told her that she did so well. She leaned back and savored being wrapped in Xander’s arms. As she relaxed back, her muddled brain cleared slightly and she realized that she hadn’t heard Silas cry.
“Xander?”
He gave her a look that she couldn’t identify. “You were amazing, sweetheart. We have a son.”
Mommy?
A relieved breath escaped her sore throat.
Liv appeared in front of her with her son. She reached for Silas, grateful that Xander supported her arms with his. “He’s beautiful. The most beautiful baby ever.” Liv’s voice choked with emotion and Frost noticed tears in her eyes.
Frost glanced down at her son in her arms and fell completely and utterly in love with her little man in that moment. He had a shock of white hair that matched Xander’s perfectly. He had the same olive skin, not the pale complexion that she had. His lips were full, like hers, but his nose belonged to Xander. He was perfect in every way.
“You look exactly like Daddy.”
Xander reached out and traced a finger down his hair and onto his cheek, and Silas leaned into his touch and sighed. “Hey, little man. I’m so happy you’re here.”
Daddy!
Silas blinked open his eyes and they both gasped at their first glimpse at the color of his eyes. They were ice-blue, but green flecks were sprinkled throughout. They reminded her of an exploded star, both beautiful and dangerous. “He’s perfect.”
Liv and Seth walked over to look at their son, who smiled up at them, and they were just as taken aback as she was when they spotted his unique eyes. They all stared at Silas as he stared back at them, fascinated.
“That’s your Aunt Liv and Uncle Seth.” Again, a smile brightened his face.
“How are you doing, Frost?”
“I’m good. Tired and a little sore, but I feel that my body is already healing.” She put one hand on her now empty belly and felt tears prick her eyes.
“He’s right here, sweetheart. Silas will always be a part of you.” Xander kissed her softly before wiping away the tears that fell at his words.
She squeezed Silas closer. He let out a contented sound and blinked up at them, his eyes refusing to look away from his parents. Xander’s arms came around them both.
As she watched, her little man grew more and more tired.
“I promise to do everything in my power to protect my two men who I love most in this world.”
After she finished the last word, the three of them glowed bright before the light faded away from their skin. Their bond had been recognized and in her mind, was completely binding, forever.
Chapter Fourteen
Xander
Frost had fallen asleep as soon as he tucked her in bed. He had kissed her forehead, loving the smile that touched her lips, and listened for a long while as her breathing became deep and even. While she slept, Xander couldn’t tear his eyes away from his son who slept in his crib about a foot from the bed. His son’s hair was whiter than his own and so soft to the touch. Xander could see his eyes dart back and forth behind his thin eyelids and every so often, he would clench his little hands into a fist and scrunch his face as though he were about to cry, but then settled back into sleep.
Silas was perfect in every way, and yet Xander felt that this tiny being he and Frost were responsible for, who they loved more than life itself, was so small and fragile. So while Frost got much needed sleep, Xander’s emotions had swung between fear and awe as he stared at his sleeping son.
Being an immortal for as long as he had, Xander had forgotten the impressive talents and qualities that each immortal brought to the forefront when they transitioned. He should’ve thought about it when Silas had spoken to everyone through his mind link, and it should have surprised him, but he thought it was a normal part of everyday life. But as he looked at Silas, he realized that he was special. He was more powerful than they could understand, but Xander wanted him to have as normal a life as he possibly could. With family surrounding him and knowing that he was loved.
Being a parent hadn’t terrified him until he spotted Silas for the first time, but he knew he wouldn’t fail with Frost by his side. He loved his family and protectiveness surged through him. He would do everything in his power to protect them.
Sometime during the night, he had fallen asleep and cradled Frost to hi
s chest. In the early morning hours, he had sensed more than he heard her breathing change, and he squeezed her closer.
“This is probably a dumb question, but how are you feeling?”
Frost smiled and kissed him. Xander savored the kiss and her taste. She moved onto her back and stretched her arms and legs before she sat up. “Good. There’s no pain or tenderness anymore. I think I’m well on my way to being completely healed. How’s Silas?”
“He’s good. He settled down to sleep rather quickly. I hear him stirring now.”
With one last kiss, Xander scrambled out of bed and helped Frost up before they glanced down at their son in his crib. Silas was on his back, staring up at the mobile above his bed with a mix of curiosity and confusion. As they moved closer, Silas turned his concentration on both of them.
Mommy! Daddy!
Frost scooped him up and cuddled him close, before placing him down on the changing table. The next few minutes had them learning how to change a diaper and struggling to put him in a onesie that would keep him warm. Xander, only admitting it to himself, thought the outfit looked cute on his son. Silas didn’t seem too affected by any of the changes he had been introduced to.
“You okay, little man?”
I’m fine, Daddy.
He couldn’t help but smile at how mature his newborn son sounded. Xander had him in his arms after they changed him and he glanced at Frost, who beamed at the both of them.
“Ready to head downstairs?”
“Yeah. Let’s go before they combust with excitement to meet our little man.” Frost shook her head at the energy she could feel, even all the way upstairs.
Silas tried to look everywhere, all at once, as they headed down the stairs. Soon, he started fussing and Xander glanced down to see Jade waiting anxiously at the bottom step. Silas could sense her. Or maybe they were already talking to each other.
Xander carefully maneuvered the stairs and when he reached the living room, Jade already moved to sit on the couch, waiting to hold Silas. Xander carefully lowered Silas on to her lap. His head was cradled on her closed knees and she stared at Silas with a look of awe on her face. He knew the feeling. Of course, they had started talking with no one else clued into their conversation.
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