Chapter Seventeen
Frost
Over the past few weeks, Silas had been working on turning off other’s thoughts whenever he wanted to. At just three months, Silas had explained that voices seemed to push their way into his brain without having a filter or a way to block them. They could have been miles away and all he could hear were voices and thoughts, and he needed to control what he let filter through. Xander had been helping him, and this morning Silas announced that he was able to successfully stop the thoughts and voices completely. Unless someone spoke to him through their mind link specifically.
Because they learned that Silas could hear thoughts over a great distance, and now block them, he wondered whether Silas could drop the shield he learned to use to block other’s thoughts and voices and project those voices into someone’s head. Xander explained it as an overwhelming force of thought that would paralyze another’s mind because they wouldn’t be able to block the thoughts from their own mind. Silas had just finished learning how to shield himself and Frost wanted him to take a break, but he insisted that he could do it. He’d been partly successful and told them that he didn’t like it, forcing thoughts into another’s head, and she had put a stop to any training.
Silas was a happy baby, laughing and loving everyone in his family. He sensed emotions, and after a mission, he would push happiness and contentment into which ever assassin had come back from assignment. It would be subtle and non-evasive, but soon, happiness spread throughout the house and Silas would smile at everyone as he joined in.
A week after Xander had proposed, they were married in a small ceremony in their living room. They had been married by the same ordained minister who had married Kai and Liv and Seth and Aubrey. He had a warm, friendly face and although she had been nervous during the ceremony, hearing the minister’s soothing voice and holding Silas close calmed her a great deal. Xander held his arm around her waist during the ceremony and smiled at her, but she had blanked most of it out when she met Xander’s gaze. She allowed herself to be lost in his light-blue eyes.
After, they had a celebration and Silas loved it when Xander danced with both of them most of the night, happiness radiating off him in waves. The day had been perfect.
Silas had woken a few minutes before and she fed him, but soon he asked her if he could sit with Jade, Ax, and Hunter. Before long, the three assassins had shifted and were rolling around the carpet, nuzzling Silas and loving it when he laughed aloud.
Xander wrapped her in his arms, setting his head on her shoulder as they watched their son. “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing much. I’m happy with my family and my mate. Enjoying the fact that Silas will grow up like a somewhat normal baby and we’ll get to have a lot of time with him.”
“You’re not worried anymore?”
She shrugged. “We can prepare and train as much as we want, but we don’t know when that asshole will strike, and I’d rather not worry about what might happen and just deal with it when it does.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. Him taking Silas.”
She turned around and pinned Xander with her gaze. “If he comes anywhere near Silas, I will rip him limb from limb until there is nothing identifiable left.”
Xander cursed under his breath as his eyes widened. “I wouldn’t fuck with you. But sweetheart, your eyes are glowing, flashing between blue and green.”
Silas fussed as he sat near the other shifters. Frost scooped him up and made herself calm down as she hugged her son.
Why are you mad, Mommy?
“Daddy and I will never let anyone hurt you. I was just thinking about what we would have to do to keep you safe.”
I know. But Mommy, I can protect myself.
“What do you mean, baby?”
Silas closed his eyes and scrunched up his face, and within seconds, she held a little snow leopard cub in her arms. He was pure white and when he looked up at her, his unique eyes twinkling at her, she pressed her forehead to his and smiled. “My little man is brilliant.”
He rubbed his head underneath her chin and she laughed.
“Oh, come on. It’s only me who takes a half a decade to shift?” Ara growled and Silas chuffed.
Frost sensed that Silas wanted a chance to roam around the house now that he wasn’t restricted by his human baby body, and set him down. With sure movements, he joined the others. Xander shifted without a thought and tickled Silas with his nose. When Xander dropped onto his back, Silas climbed all over him, happy that he was able to play. And Frost was ecstatic for her son. She wasn’t really surprised Silas could do it; he was a determined little immortal.
Liv sat down beside Frost, and soon Jade, still in her red fox form, crawled onto Frost’s lap and settled down. Frost smiled when she realized how far they came since the first time she growled and threatened Jade. They all had, and just like Xander, she thought of everyone as her family.
“What’s it like, being a mom?” Liv asked.
“It’s exactly how you feel about everyone in this room. You feel proud that they are capable and strong, that they are happy and know that they can come to you anytime, just to talk or ask for advice. But you worry about them and pray for them to be safe, healthy, and happy. You don’t want them to grow up and not need you anymore, but know that it’s a part of life.”
I wouldn’t mind finding a mate, but I’m not holding my breath. Jade sounded a little sad, not that she would ever admit it.
“You, my favorite redhead, will find someone when you least expect it.”
They watched Silas lope around, easily finding his balance as if it were second nature, as he rounded Xander before he leapt on him. Frost smiled at Silas whenever he glanced over at her, but before long, Silas slowly walked over to her and she picked him up. Jade got up and said that she was going to change.
Mommy, I’m tired.
Frost nuzzled him close. As his eyes finally closed, he shifted back and she rushed him upstairs to dress before he became too cold. Once dressed, she put him to bed and waited for Xander to lock up the house, knowing that their little man would be out for the rest of the night. He didn’t dream or send out random thoughts as he slept.
When Xander entered the room, she pulled him close and kissed him deeply. They didn’t need to speak. Xander understood exactly what she needed whenever she needed it, and she loved him for it. She navigated him toward the bed and pushed him onto his back. Over the next few minutes, she proceeded to worship his body, uncovering every inch before pressing her lips or running her hands over him, loving the sounds she drew from him.
Every time they made love, it felt new and exciting. Still awed that she got to touch and love this man made her movements desperate as she kissed down his naked chest. She sucked on his nipples and licked the ridges of his stomach, smiling into his skin when he moaned, which sent shafts of pleasure straight to her core.
When she reached his hard, leaking cock, she swallowed all of him. Well, as much as she could take. She savored the salty taste and something she always identified as purely Xander.
Bringing him to the brink of an orgasm, she pulled her mouth from him and squeezed the base of his cock to stave off his orgasm. She threw her leg over his thighs and crawled up a few inches before she sank down on his cock without hesitation. She threw back her head and moaned as he filled her.
“Frost.” The way he said her name sent ripples of pleasure throughout her body.
He gripped her hips and when she rose and lowered herself to take him deeper, he thrust his hips up, driving even deeper inside her. The feeling left her panting and begging for more.
“I love you. You are my everything, Xander.”
“Fuck…I love you, too, sweetheart. So much more than I’ll ever be able to express.”
At his words, she threw back her head as she clamped down on his cock, feeling his hands tighten on her hips a split second before his cock flooded her with his hot release. She shivered from the sensations she would never grow tired of, and before long, she came down from her high and dropped onto Xander’s chest.
“Too…tired…to move.”
Xander reached for the comforter and pulled it over both of them, before he banded his arms around her and pulled her face into his neck. She fell asleep with the warmth and love coming from her mate and husband.