He heard rustling in the other room and knew Cora would be fully awake in two minutes. His wolf growled at the possibility of being interrupted. Both sides wanted to savor Maple’s sexy body. Instead of dwelling on the possible interruption, he gripped her tighter and focused on getting their release together. Pleasure coursed through his system while Maple’s moans came out closer together.
“Oh,” Maple gasped as her wall collapsed on his cock. His balls tightened seconds later. Her little moan sent him over the edge as her tight pussy wrung him dry. Maple fell onto his chest and she sighed with relief.
“I wish we could go another round,” Raymand whispered into her ear.
“Why couldn’t-” She stopped as Cora’s footsteps headed their way. “I’ll help her.” She rolled off and pulled the covers up to conceal both of them.
“Morning,” Cora yelled through the door. Raymand thanked his luck that Cora didn’t run inside.
“Morning, sweetheart. Go grab some breakfast and we will be out after the shower,” Maple yelled back. Her hand wrapped around his still hard cock, he barely choked back the groan.
“Can I watch cartoons?” Cora asked.
“Yes,” Maple said before Raymand opened his mouth. “You know how to work it right?” She guided her hand up and down.
“Yep.” Cora ran off and Maple smiled while she let go of him. Raymand raised an eyebrow trying to follow her logic to explain her good mood.
“Get in the shower.” Maple hopped out of bed and wiggled her ass. Raymand’s cock throbbed again.
“Damn it, woman.” He jumped out of bed and followed her in the shower. She made quick work of the shower dials before climbing in. Maple leaned her back against the wall while her hand roamed down her body to press a finger on her clit. A low growl left Raymand’s lungs.
“Get in here for round two or I will be forced to finish myself.” Her lips quirked up a little. He climbed in. Within seconds lifted her body and shoved his cock into her core. Her back pressed against the titles as he slammed into her. The soft moans were covered by the running water.
She leaned forward and nipped at his neck, while his balls smacked into her ass. Water hit his shoulder rolling down his chest, the added sensation brought him closer to the edge. Her grip squeezed his arms harder while her core tightened on his cock. She buried her face in the crook of his neck to muffle her moan. He slowed down a bit to let her ride out her orgasm.
After she caught her breath she leaned back and met his gaze. “You feel amazing,” Maple whispered. Her eyes fluttered closed as he picked up his pace. He couldn’t slow down, he needed to make Maple cum again before they were interrupted. His wolf loved seeing Maple in the throes of ecstasy and wanted it all the time. Yet his human side knew their quiet time wouldn’t last forever.
“Almost…” Maple gasped. Her nipples rubbed against his chest and his balls tightened. When her breath hitched, and her core clamped down on him, he lost himself inside her warm body. Waves of pleasure crashed down on him as he rode out his orgasm with his mate. His cock finally softened, and he placed her down on the tiled floor of the shower.
“Feeling better?” Raymand kissed her quickly.
“Much. Shower sex is good.” She winked. They washed and up and Cora knocked on the door.
“I accidentally spilled something.”
“What and where?” Raymand yelled back. Maple, on the other hand, quickened her pace to rinse out her hair and hopped out as Cora yelled back.
“Don’t worry.” Maple leaned back in and kissed him before slipping into the bedroom to talk to Cora. “It’s okay. Accidents happen honey.” Maple’s cheerful voice reminded him of how lucky he was to have a good mate. Raymand finished washing up and climbed out after Cora and Maple drifted out to the living room. Her heated scent still made his dick hard as a rock, but he pushed down the urge to take her again and dressed for the day.
Images of taking Maple back to the bedroom flashed through his mind all thanks to his wolf. He kissed Maple goodbye and waved to Cora before he headed for Drake’s office. With tomorrow being Saturday, he started making plans on getting all of Cora’s stuff moved into his home. He couldn’t get around the fact that he wanted the cute pup in his home and for Maple to be Cora’s mother. Raymand stopped for a second before he left the driveway.
Daddy alpha? No, Alpha dad? He didn’t like either of those and yet becoming a dad didn’t scare him. Once he filled out the paperwork from Drake Raymand would legally be Cora’s father. Part of him wondered what Cora would want to call him after he broke the news to her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Maple
Maple glanced at the door after Raymand drove away. Nerves filled her body about being home alone with Cora. Memories of the last time filled her mind, making her shiver. Instead of dwelling on the past she took another bite of her eggs.
“What should we do for today?” Maple finished her breakfast and sat next to Cora on the couch. Her sky-blue eyes lifted to meet Maple’s gaze.
“Where did the alpha go?” Cora wiggled away to face Maple. Her wolf didn’t like the small move.
“He left to talk to Drake.” Maple made the logical guess. They had talked about keeping Cora before they found her. She didn’t think he changed his mind. Oh, goddess above, please don’t let him change his mind.
“Did he find a family to give me away to then?” Cora pulled at her hair but didn’t meet her gaze. Maple’s wolf whimpered at the idea of Cora leaving the house.
“I’m almost ninety percent positive he’s not doing that.” Maple smiled, trying to convince both of them.
“Then what is he doing?” She folded her arms with a little sass she hadn’t seen before.
“To be completely honest I’m not sure.” Maple pulled out her phone and texted him. When she lifted her gaze, her eyes caught the book her aunt left in the store unfinished. She made a mental note to read the whole thing later.
“So, you could be wrong, and another family could be on their way here.” Cora glanced up at Maple then back at her knees. Maple grabbed the little wolf and pulled her closer.
“Cora, I will tell you this, I’m not giving you up without one hell of a fight.” Maple shook her head and her wolf agreed.
“But you’re in heat, right? Doesn’t it mean you’ll soon have your own pups?” Cora’s little sigh broke Maple.
“Yes, it’s true but there is still room in my heart for you.” Maple pulled Cora into her lap. “My sweetheart, I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Maple. But what about the alpha?” Cora’s little lip trembled a bit.
“What about me?” Raymand slipped into the house making Cora and Maple jump.
“How the hell did you get your truck up the drive without me hearing it?” Maple snapped at him. He shrugged while holding a large envelope stuffed with papers. She wondered what the papers were for too.
“What’s that?” Cora asked and pointed toward the envelope. Maple met Raymand’s gaze and the heat spiked in her system. She pushed it down and focused on Cora.
“This has to do with all of us actually.” He glided over to the couch and sat behind Cora. “And this is for Maple.” He handed another envelope to Maple who opened it to find a contract.
“What’s this?”
“The new contract between you and the lease owner. The nasty clause is out and all you have to do is sign.” He smiled brightly, and her heart leapt in her chest. So much hard work had finally paid off.
“Thank you.” She pulled him into a quick kiss. Her wolf bounced around in her mind with joy. Maple had finally accomplished standing on her own even if she had help from the alpha, this was hers. And her father wasn’t here to completely ruin it.
“Now I have one question for you before I tell you what it is.” He wiggled the other envelope and directed his comment to Cora.
“What?” Cora adjusted on Maple’s lap to face Raymand.
“Do you want to stay here?” Raymand placed the
papers on his lap when he asked the question.
“I do want to be here if you want me to.” Cora pulled at her hair again. Maple mouthed ‘tell her’ to Raymand and he nodded quickly.
“These here are papers to legally adopt you. Maple would be your mother and me your father in the eyes of the law.” Raymand placed a hand on Maple’s and her heart swelled with joy.
“You mean…” Cora turned toward Maple, a big smile on her face. “I can stay?”
“I would love it if you stay here with me and Raymand.” Maple kissed her head. Cora bounced on Maple’s lap for a second before her face fell and she turned toward Raymand.
“What?” Maple asked her.
“But what about your pups? Who will I be to them?” she asked. Before Raymand opened his mouth, Maple placed her hand on his lap.
“You would be their older sister, of course.” Maple wouldn’t hear anything else.
“How many kids are you planning on having?” Cora’s eyes bounced between Maple and Raymand.
“At least two for me.” Maple pushed Cora’s hair from her face. So much love filled her heart as she glanced at her mate. She never expected her fresh start to begin with motherhood, but she wouldn’t change a damn thing.
“I’m thinking five.” Raymand’s serious face had Maple panicking a little inside before he smirked. “But since I know what kids can be like maybe I will lower the number.” He winked at Maple his chestnut-brown gaze moved to Cora.
“So, what do you think?” Raymand asked after a few minutes of quiet.
“I think I would be good with that, but what do you I call you?” Cora asked.
“What were you thinking?” Raymand moved the papers over and pulled her into his lap. Maple’s wolf loved seeing him in this new father figure mode putting her human side at ease.
“Would Dad and Mom be okay?” Cora turned toward Maple and then faced Raymand again. He paused for a few moments like he pondered the idea, then smiled.
“I think I like the sound of it.” He nodded.
“I like it too.” Maple leaned forward and kissed Raymand then kissed Cora’s head. “I think we need to celebrate!”
“No pizza!” Cora and Raymand spoke in unison.
“Don’t worry, there will be no pizza ordering for a month, I promise.” Maple laughed and grabbed the papers while Cora and talked with Raymand. With every step, she knew her family would be whole. The current attacks with the hunters shouldn’t happen for a while and with her alpha being so attentive with her and Cora, she felt safe in his home.
“But how long does the process take to be your daughter?” Cora asked, and Maple paused before she reached the fridge.
“Since I’m the pack alpha, it’s pack law. You’re my daughter and Maple is my mate. It’s final. I don’t care what the state says.” Raymand’s firm voice made Maple want to giggle.
“Okay good.” Cora nestled into his chest. Raymand glanced Maple’s way.
“I love you, Maple,” Raymand’s voice carried toward her making her heart flutter. She hurried over and kissed him again.
“I love you too.” Maple couldn’t believe how lucky she was.
“How about a movie day?” Cora suggested.
“We might have to take a small break later but I’m good with it.” Raymand kissed her head.
“Cool.” Cora scrambled off his lap and jogged for the tv remote.
“What’s the break for?” Maple asked, he leaned up and placed his lips next to her ear.
“I need to fuck you. I’m fucking hard and can’t stop thinking about this morning,” he whispered sending heat right down to her core.
“These next few days are going to be both hell and wonderful, aren’t they?” Maple whispered back.
“Oh, my sweet, you have no idea.” He nipped at her ear before turning toward Cora. She bounced on her toes with the movie Cinderella in her hands.
“This one?” Cora’s resilience surprised Maple. Only a few days ago, did her life get completely upended and now only happiness filled her soul.
“Okay, princess,” Raymand said and she stopped moving, a smile lit up her face.
“Is that my nickname?” Cora held the movie tighter.
“Don’t break the movie and yes, princess will be your nickname from me.”
“Cool.” She squealed with delight and ran up to hug Raymand. “I love you, Dad.”
Raymand picked her up and hugged her tight. “I love you, princess.”
They turned to face Maple and tears were rolling down her face. “Don’t judge me. This is too beautiful for words.” Maple sniffled and pushed away the tears.
“It’s okay, Mom.” Cora leaned on Raymand’s chest while she looked at Maple. Her heart squeezed tight. Maple hopped over the couch and joined in on the group hug. So much love filled her heart, Maple thought she might burst. She had found her fresh start with her alpha and little girl.
EPILOGUE
Maple
Maple grabbed the mail and waddled into the house with Cora at her side. She flipped through the two adds and the bill and found an official envelope at the end of the stack.
“Can you hold these?” Maple handed Cora the adds who took them without fuss.
“What’s that?” Cora asked and pointed toward the larger envelope.
“I think it might be more requests for paperwork from the state.” Maple shook her head. Once the state of Colorado received enough documentation to fill a truck on their financial matters, they asked the pack for character references and their marriage certificate which they had to go do at city hall. By pack law they were mates, but the state wanted it to be legal on all standings.
“More?” Cora’s shoulders fell.
“We will find out in a minute.” Over the last eight months, Maple had learned new things about Cora and what kinds of mother she was. It didn’t surprise her to find Raymand would be the hard-ass parent while Maple stood on the nurturing side. What did surprise her were the levels of emotions which come out when caring for another being. It didn’t help one bit to have more hormones flooding her body with the pregnancy.
“Cora, do you have homework?” Raymand asked when they walked through the door. Cora started third grade two weeks ago and she already hated the homework her teacher assigned almost every day.
“I finished it at the store.” Cora bounced on her toes, her usual tell about her not being completely truthful.
“Don’t lie to me, princess.” Raymand raised an eyebrow which made Cora sigh.
“Fine. I finished half of it.” Cora shuffled over to the table and tossed the add into the center. Maple opened the state envelope and pulled out the stack of papers. When she unfolded the stack, she gasped and dropped the bill.
“What?” Cora and Raymand asked together.
“It’s finalized.” Maple wanted to jump up for joy but stopped when the baby started moving around in her belly. Plus, she felt too huge to be jumping around.
“What’s finalized?” Cora asked while Raymand bolted to Maple’s side and read over her shoulder.
“You, my princess, are officially our little girl by state law.” Raymand grinned. A Braxton Hix contraction tightened Maple’s belly making the words go out of focus. “Are you okay?” Raymand wrapped his hand around her waist.
“Yes, it’s one of the damn practice-” Maple doubled over as another contraction tightened her belly and pain zipped up her spine.
“Mommy are you okay?” Cora jumped off the table and sped toward Maple. She took in a few deep breaths and met Cora’s gaze.
“Yes, sweetheart it’s only a little pain. Miss Denise might be a little too excited to meet you.” Maple snatched up the book her aunt had left near the register months ago. She had ten pages left and she planned on finishing it before dinner.
“Still can’t believe I’m going to be stuck in a house full of girls.” Raymand shook his head. When they had found out he had the lady triple check to be sure.
“Next time could be a b
oy, Mr. Alpha.” Maple snapped back at him, but he ignored her comment. He lifted her up and placed her on the couch with Cora following close behind. She opened the book and found the spot she stopped at last time.
“If another comes while your resting then it’s not a drill.” Raymand had read ninety percent of the how-to-be-a-dad books and everything about labor he could get his hands on from the bookstore. Maple had even special ordered some for him. She flipped the page and kept reading, ignoring her mate. The love story about werewolves in New York caught her attention with ease.
Another contraction wracked through her body making her wince. “That one hurt a bit more.” Maple let out a shaky breath. One freaking more page left, come on Denise.
“Is Denise okay?” Cora asked and rubbed Maple’s belly.
“Yes, sweetheart, she is coming a little early is all.” Maple kept her voice calm even with hints of pain still lingering in her muscles. It reminded her of the burn she had after a good run. She lowered her gaze to finish but Cora’s hand blocked her view.
“I thought she’s not supposed to come till next week.” Cora kept rubbing Maple’s belly as she spoke.
“Well, she decided it’s time I guess.” Maple rubbed Cora’s back. “Are you ready big sister?”
The little pup’s face turned serious and she rubbed her hands together. “I’m ready. What do I do?” Her focused look made Maple laugh which turned into a gasp of pain when another contraction hit.
“Cora grab a bowl of hot water and a bunch of towels,” Raymand barked out the order and Cora hustled out of the room.
“I don’t know if it’s too late to shift.” Maple didn’t want to deliver her baby girl in her human form.
“I’ll check and see. It’s okay, just breathe.” His alpha side came out stronger which helped to calm Maple down. She took in a shaky breath as another contraction hit. He yanked off her panties under her long dress then checked her out. “Don’t shift. Denise is coming fast.”
More pain laced through her body and a small scream left her lips. Maple tried to keep it to herself, she didn’t want Cora to start panicking. The pup walked in and placed the water and towels next to Raymand.
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