My Hunted Mate
Fifty Five

Corinna

"You told a dragon shifter that I would be his on call babysitter withouteven consulting me first?! "Dahlia cries, throwing her hands out in frontof her body dramatically.

Biting my lip, I remain silent as I watch my mate roll his eyes at hissiblings reaction. Atticus ended up agreeing to meet Dahlia and seehow she got on with Dyna, he wanted to feel confident in his child'ssafety, so there would be no worry when he was away hunting for Cainand my father.

Completely understandable, I wouldn't trust my hybrid toddler to anunknown vampire either.

Once we came to an agreement, the conversation became much lighterbut also bittersweet, as we exchanged happy and fond memories ofHelena, Atticus ended up offering to let us stay with him for the night,but we decided against it and made the drive home shortly after.

* Dahlia, this man has just lost his beloved and desires to avenge her!All you have to do is meet him, Cori and I will mainly be the ones doingthe babysitting, you're there as a back up incase Cori cannot travel orgoes into labour. * Kai explains, his arms are crossed over his chest ashe speaks with an unamused expression.

" You cannot be serious, Mal. " Dahlia grunts, leaning all of her weighton her left leg, as she copies his actions by crossing her arms over herown chest.

"I'm more than serious. This man wants Alpha Cain and Cori's fatherdead and if I'm honest, I'm happy to help him with this task, all thingsconsidered. " Kai announces, raising his eyebrows as he shrugs hisshoulders.

Dahlia seems to consider her brother's words for a couple of seconds,then her sassy demeanour vanishes. * Fine, but Lila will be coming also." A newly turned vampire around a small toddler, let me think. " Kaipauses, letting out a soft hum before opening his mouth again. * No.Can you imagine how horribly wrong that could go? *

" Brother, she's doing much better now! She can control the bloodlust." She argues in defence of her mate.

" Do you promise that child won't be in any danger? Can you guaranteeit? " Kai clenches his jaw right as the words leave his lips.

"I can." Dahlia nods.

After a moment, Kai releases a long breath then nods his head too. *Very well sister, but if your beloved messes up, that dragon will burn usall alive. *

Dahlia grins, obviously completely disregarding everything after herbrother's compromise. " Thank you my dearest brother! *

"I'm a little bit offended by that. " Phoenix pouts from the other side ofthe pool table.

" Just take your shot. " She rolls her eyes, gesturing to the game theywere playing before Kai and I interrupted them.

We stayed until the game finished, deciding we would rather skiplistening to Dahlia boasting about her win. Instead, I made my way upto Kai's office to finish the last lot of protection talismans I'd beenworking on for the members of the clan, while he retired to hisbedroom to read.

A deep sigh passes my lips, as I toss the last piece of jewellery into theplastic tub. I take a couple of seconds to stare at the small mess in frontof me, trying to replace the motivation to clean it now, but instead I replacemyself waddling away from it, mumbling to myself about sorting it inlater.

My waddling continues until I'm in front of Kai's bedroom door,pushing it open. " Hey, so I finished the last of the- " I begin to say, onlyto cut myself off when I replace the room empty.

My eyebrows furrow and my lips automatically form a slight pout as Irealise the bathroom door is wide open and the light is off, indicatingthat the room is empty. Just as I start to contemplate going downstairsin search of my mate, a throat clears from behind me and when I turn, Isee him leaning against my bedroom door.

"1 thought you were reading? " I ask, tilting my head ever so slightly."1 was. " He shrugs.

"In my room? " I raise my eyebrow.

" Not exactly, come have a look. " He smiles, pushing himself off thedoor to swing it open.

Wandering over to him, my heart warms as I look past the thresholdand into the room that is now painted a pastel orange, the curtains arewhite with little yellow baby giraffes on them, the white shelves nowhave endless amounts of baby books, toys and essential items such asdiapers, wipes, creams, powders and more placed on top of them, thetv has been removed from the gap in the shelves, replacing the hugescreen is a painting of a blonde wolf, sitting by a lake surrounded bygrass and wildflowers, howling at the moon, where the large bed oncestood is a polished white crib, above it a mobile with different colourbaby wolf plushies hangs, a changing table is sitting against the wall tothe right of the crib.

"1. When did this happen? " I breathe, taking in the beautiful nurserybefore me.

" While we were away I asked Phoenix, Dahlia and a couple of others tomove your things into our room, paint the walls, change the curtains,things like that. But I finished moving everything in while you were inthe office. " He explains. * Do you like it? *

" Oh I love it, who did the painting of the wolf? " I ask, moving throughthe room to take a better look at it.

" Sabine did, she's very talented, believe it or not. * He says, watchingme eye the painting carefully, taking in every detail.

"I believe you. " I whisper, running my fingers along the dry paint.Eventually I manage to drag my eyes away from the art and to mymate, who stands beside me with a small smile. " Thank you fororganising this, it's perfect.

" You're more than welcome. " He leans forward wrapping his armsaround me, setting his hands on my lower back.

" We'll have to replace a way to thank everyone else. " I mumble, closingmy eyes as he presses small kisses to the side of my neck.

He only hums in response to my words, continuing to shower me inaffection, he moves up my neck and jaw until he finally places his lipson mine. Our lips move together gently, as I run my hands up his arms,looping them around the back of his neck.

" Let's go to bed. " He whispers, his lips brushing against mine as hedoes.