We could have a child of our own.”
“We will, and now we have six other children as well.”
What he said was true. If he hadn’t waited to mate her, they never would have gone to the nanuk village and wouldn’t have the children in their lives. “You have to take the good with the bad,” Margot told herself under her breath.
She opened cabinets, looking for supplies and found a jar of instant coffee and sugar packages. Not a coffee drinker, she still took note in case Ujarak or Mathis wanted some later. The refrigerator was huge, and entirely empty. There were pots and pans as well as dishes, still you couldn’t feed six children breakfast without some food. Rifling through a drawer, Margot found a pen and pad of paper.
Moving into the dining room, she sat at the large oblong table and began to make a list. The sudden ringing of the landline phone made her jump. She rushed to the wall-mounted unit and answered tentatively.
“Margot, I’m so sorry your father is being such an idiot. Jared told me you were staying at the old Hanson House. What can I do, sweetheart? Surely you need food for six children, poor dears.”
Margot felt her eyes burn. Her mom wouldn’t let her down. “Oh, Mom. We need everything. The cupboards are empty. The children need clothes. Little Elisapie was sent with only the clothes on her back.”
“Now, don’t you worry. I’ll be there in the morning and we’ll fix this. I always wanted to be a grandmother. This is going to be so much fun. Have you started the legal proceedings? We want the little ones to be legally protected.”
“Jared contacted the pack lawyers as soon as the children arrived. The parents are doing what they think is right to keep their children safe, Mom. Papers should be filed as soon as the parents sign over guardianship.”
“I should have known Jared would be on top of things. Now tell me, are you happy with your mate?”
Margot paused. Was she happy? At first she had been so angry and hurt. But Mathis showed her over and over again that he wanted her. A few minutes ago, he kissed her socks off.
“I think Mathis is an incredible mate. He is protective and caring, and he’s wonderful with the children. He makes me feel like the only woman in the world.”
“Well, that’s all that matters. I’ll see you in the morning. Love you.”
“I love you too, Mom.” Margot hung up the phone. A huge weight seemed to lift from her shoulders. Her mom had always been there for her. Her dad? She knew he loved her, he’d come around eventually, Mom would see to it.
“Who was that on the phone?” Mathis asked coming down the stairs.
“It was Mom. She’s coming over tomorrow. She said she always wanted to be a grandmother.” Margot smiled, thinking of her mother with the children.
“I’m glad. I know how close you are to her.” Mathis cupped her cheek. She leaned into his hand before turning and kissing his palm.
“For the longest time the only person I could trust was my mom. Everyone else wanted something from me.”
“I want something from you,” Mathis said wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling behind her ear. Margot chuckled. Something inside seemed to fall away. Her heart felt lighter.
“I want something from you, too.” Margot squeezed the bulge in his pants.
“You, woman, are playing with fire,” Mathis said pushing into her hand.
“Then make me burn…”
§
Mathis felt everything wild rise inside him to claim this woman, his woman, his mate. He swooped down, taking her mouth, trying to share her very breath. He lifted her, never releasing her lips. She circled his neck with her arms. He moaned in pleasure when she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist. Mathis turned to the stairs, needing to get her to the bedroom. The rocking of her body, tightly pressed to his, as he walked, tortured them both.
Margot unbuttoned his shirt, then she pressed her hands to his naked chest. Pleasure swamped him. He loved