Benjamin looked from her to Sawyer and back again. “A daddy?”
Sawyer moved forward and knelt beside her. “Benjamin, your Mama and I did more than talk today. I claimed her as my mate. Do you know what that means?”
Benjamin shook his head.
“It means she’s my wife. And that makes you my son.”
Benjamin’s eyes teared and he slowly eased closer to Sawyer and wrapped his arms around his neck. “You’re really my daddy now?”
Sawyer nodded and held the boy tight. “I’m really your daddy now.”
Winnie thought she might cry and couldn’t help but wrap her arms around both of them. When they stood, Gabriel congratulated them on their mating. Autumn offered to have them stay for dinner, but Winnie was anxious for Benjamin to see his new home. They excused themselves from the alpha’s home, and Sawyer drove them home.
“Benjamin, whatever you don’t like about your room can be changed,” Sawyer said.
“Do I have my own bed?” her son asked.
“Yes. You have a bedroom with a bed, dresser, and bookshelf,” Sawyer said. “I thought I’d let you pick out the pictures for the walls. Your mama and I already moved your things into your room. Are you ready to see it?”
Benjamin nodded eagerly.
Sawyer unlocked the door and let his new family inside. Benjamin slowly walked through the rooms and Sawyer pointed out his bedroom. Winnie couldn’t help but smile at the look of wonder on Benjamin’s face. As Benjamin explored his new room, she leaned against the doorframe and watched him. Sawyer stood behind her with his hands on her hips.
“Mama. Daddy.” Benjamin came a little closer. “Could we order pizza for dinner? I want to eat in our new home tonight.”
Sawyer chuckled. “We can order whatever you want.”
Winnie excused herself and stepped a little way down the hall to give Sawyer and Benjamin some time together. Sawyer stepped into the bedroom, but he left the door open. Winnie leaned against the wall as she listened to them.
“You’re really okay with your mama and me being together?” Sawyer asked him.
“I haven’t had a daddy for a while,” Benjamin said. “And my other daddy wasn’t as nice as you. I get to tell all my friends I have a new dad.”
“You sure do.” She could hear the smile in Sawyer’s voice.
“I’m going to be the best little boy ever,” Benjamin promised. “Do you think I could have a little brother or sister?”
She heard Sawyer chuckle and felt her cheeks warm.
“I’ll do my best,” Sawyer said. “Now, why don’t you play for a bit and your mama and I will order that pizza you want.”
“Daddy?”
“Yeah, buddy?”
“I love you.”
Winnie’s throat tightened.
“I love you too, buddy.”
When Sawyer stepped back into the hall, she saw the emotion in his eyes and knew that Benjamin’s words had affected him deeply. She hurried to his side and led him into the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tight.
“Sawyer?”
“Hmm?” He kissed her slowly. “What is it, sweet mate?”
“Benjamin isn’t the only one who loves you.”
He smiled a little. “Is that right? And who else do you think loves me?”
“I do,” she confessed.
He traced her nose with his. “Guess what?”
“What?” she asked softly.
“I love you too.”
Winnie smiled and kissed him again, harder and deeper than before. As her toes curled in her shoes, she realized that all of her dreams had come true. It had been a long time since she’d believed in Prince Charming and fairy tales, but Sawyer had proven that some fairy tales could still come true. This Cinderella had finally found her place in the world. In Sawyer’s arms.
~*~ The End ~*~
The Ashton Grove Series
Moonlight Haunting
Moonlight Protector
Moonlight Hero
Moonlight Guardian
Moonlight Champion
Moonlight Savior
Moonlight Warrior
Moonlight Angel
Moonlight Drifter
An Ashton Grove Thanksgiving
An Ashton Grove Christmas
Return of the Ashton Grove Werewolves
Moonlight Keeper
Moonlight Rescuer
Ashton Grove M.C. Series
Viper
Axel
Ghost
Crimson
About the Author
Award-winning author Jessica Coulter Smith has been in love with the written word since she was a child. Her first stories may have been written in crayon, but now she’s a multi-published author of over seventy-five novellas and novels. Romance is an integral part of her world and spills over from her professional life into her personal one. When she went out on that first date with her husband, she never expected to hear the words “marry me” pop out of his mouth — and judging by the shocked look on his face; he hadn’t meant to say them either. But, being the hopeless romantic that she is, Jessica said yes, and they’ve been married since 2000.
You can find Jessica online at her website: www.jessicacoultersmith.com
Other Paranormal Books by Jessica…
SHIFTER ROMANCESLove Spell series
Romance in Moonspell Witch Way to Love
Tales of Moonspell Warlock’s Mistress
Bewere of Faeries Resisting the Alpha
Her Wolf SaviorSEALed Embrace
Red’s Big Bad WolfWolf’s Mate
Iron Hills Pack seriesVAMPIRE ROMANCES
Wolf CharmingCreole Nights
Beauty and Her BeastEternal Bite
Little Red and Ryder WolfeEternally Ever After
Steel Riders M.C.OTHER PARANORMAL
BlazeDemon Guardians
Crash & BurnMagnolia Magick
SparkTwo Hot to Handle
Silver Falls series
One Magickal Moment
Love’s Magick Kiss
Sample from WOLF CHARMING
Weston Drake watched the young woman, from across the diner, with a hungry gaze. He’d seen her around town off and on over the years, had watched her grow up. The driving need to mark her made him feel like a lecherous old man. She couldn’t be more than twenty-one, and he had just celebrated his thirty-fifth birthday. The age difference didn’t stop him from wanting her, though. He’d caught her scent once when she’d walked past him on the sidewalk, and he’d been obsessed with her ever since.
Over the years, he’d tried to lose himself in other women, but it was always meaningless sex that never amounted to much. It had been ages since he’d been on a serious date, and even longer since he’d had a girlfriend. It wasn’t that he was against a committed relationship, but the only woman he wanted was the one he couldn’t have. His wolf howled mournfully in his head as he jerked his gaze from the perfection of Abril Forrest.
He’d studied her from afar, learning her schedule. Every morning, she had breakfast and coffee at the diner and then worked on her laptop for about an hour before going home. The only other times he saw her out and about were her weekly trips to the library and the grocery store. She seemed to be something of a homebody, except for when her friend, Rachel Matthews, could convince her to venture out of her apartment.
His brother, Zach, nudged him. “You’re drooling again. If you aren’t going to man up and talk to your mate, you could at least appear a little less like a stalker.”
Weston scowled at him.
“Look, you know the two of you are meant to be together. What would it hurt to introduce yourself and ask her out for dinner? If you don’t claim her, your wolf is eventually going to go insane.”
Zach wasn’t telling him anything he didn’t already know. His wolf was already going a little crazy without their mate. Weston had thought about approaching Abril several times over the last few weeks, as his wol
f had gotten more insistent, but he always drew back and kept his distance. She was so young and had so many possibilities in front of her. It would be wrong of him to claim her. The last thing she needed was a serious relationship when she should be partying with her friends and having a good time.
“Weston, please talk to her. Don’t make me put you down. You know if you lose control of your wolf, I won’t have a choice in the matter. The town may know about our dual nature, and they tolerate it, but a loco wolf isn’t going to go over well.” Zach placed a hand on his shoulder. “She’s yours, and you know it. Go to her.”
“No.” Weston tore his gaze from his tempting mate and faced forward again. Keeping away from her was the hardest damn thing he’d ever done. He’d placated his wolf with a steady stream of faceless women willing to have a one-night stand, but the beast wasn’t happy with the situation any longer.
“Dammit, Wes. I’m not going to sit here and watch you throw your life away because you’re too chicken shit to make a move. You’ve screwed anything in a skirt for as long as I’ve known you, but the one time you need to put the moves on someone, you sit here like a lovesick calf. Call me when you’ve come to your senses.” Zach tossed his napkin on the counter and stood.
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Moonlight Rescuer (Return of the Ashton Grove Werewolves Book 2) Page 7