Clover
After three long days of heat and a few weeks of adjusting to her new life with Ash, they were going to a celebration party. The five-tier cake sat in the van, with Ash driving. He had complained for an hour about driving the damn thing but agreed his truck wouldn’t work in transporting the large piece. The hunter problem had been officially cleared up since they hadn’t tried to take any more kids after Don’s death. Raymand didn’t ease up too much on the patrols because he worried about the Klaus guy Don mentioned but Maple convinced him to calm down. Ash had put out a warning on the wolfbase to keep an eye out for Klaus. The high alert faded into passive awareness as time passed. Clover wondered if the man in the truck had given up on trying to take the kids because he saw how determined the pack was to keep the pups safe. The hunters did take a heavy loss that day and logically it would make sense to call a ‘retreat’ and try a different tactic.
Clover rubbed her chest as hints of heartburn rolled around making it hard to breathe normally. Ash parked the van close to the front door and turned to her. He scented the air and met her gaze.
“What?” She raised her brow.
“I think…” He leaned forward and grabbed some of her hair. Tara yanked open the passenger door. Before, this action would have made her jump, but Clover had finally adjusted to catching sounds at the right time instead of being scared all the time.
“Holy shit, knocked up alert!” Tara chuckled.
“Shut up.” Clover turned to look at Ash. “Is she telling the truth?”
“I wanted to fucking say it. Thanks for stealing my thunder, Tara.” Ash clenched his jaw and unbuckled. Clover grabbed his hand and he met her gaze.
“Are you okay with this?” She needed to know their lives wouldn’t lose the happy glow they had over the last week or two. To be honest, she had completely lost track of time being with Ash and Patrick.
“Oh, come on, why wouldn’t he be?” Tara shook her head and walked to the back door and pulled Patrick out.
“Tara, when will you be having pups? I want friends,” Patrick asked, and Clover held back a giggle as her friend stilled.
“When I find my mate, I will give you lots of friends.” Tara strolled with Patrick into the alpha’s house. She liked having help moving cakes before and Tara had always been good at it with her super wolf strength but now Clover could do it solo and not have to worry.
“Are you going to answer the question?” Clover leaned closer to her mate, her beast paced in her mind waiting for the answer.
“Over the last few weeks, I’ve come to realize one more kid in the house isn’t going to throw everything off balance, but I would like to keep a cap on this whole kid thing.” He snapped his fingers one at a time before slamming them together.
“Like five?” She tried her best to keep a straight face as his eyes widened in horror.
“Try three.” He raised three fingers to emphasize it. Clover chuckled, and he relaxed in his seat. “You almost gave me a freaking heart attack, woman.” He placed his hand over his heart.
“I think three little ones will be plenty.” She placed her hand over her stomach and smiled. “It’s so crazy how soon you guys can detect this.”
“After a while, you’ll be able to detect it too. Not as good as Zac’s nose but you’re doing great, you didn’t even jump when Tara opened your door.” Ash smiled at her.
“Zac also didn’t realize Rayne was pregnant for a few hours too, so I think I can cut myself some slack on this front.” Clover grinned at the memory of Rayne telling her about their first day together after her ex. The whole thing was a big mess, but they managed to work it out.
“Fuck, you’re right. Come on, let’s get this monster inside.” He opened the door and climbed out before she unbuckled her seatbelt. Even as a wolf she took her time carrying the cake as Ash held the topper. She was still adjusting to her new strength and didn’t want to overcorrect making a mess on the gravel or worse in the alpha’s kitchen. Ash held the door open for her.
“Well, thank you, kind sir.” Clover slipped into the dining room and placed the cake down. Once the top was in place, he pulled her in for a kiss. Heat zipped down her spine and she pressed herself into him.
The night she went on a run and saved Patrick had changed everything in her life. She was about to adopt a little boy, she had a sexy mate, and a little baby growing inside her. If Tara had told her all this would happen, Clover might’ve called her crazy. But as she pressed her hands into Ash’s back, she knew this was the right place for her. Her wolf nodded in agreement.
Even the new addition in her mind was crazy to get used to as well, and her beast had an…interesting personality of her own.
“I love you so much, Clover.” He kissed her neck and nipped at her shoulder.
“If you keep this up, we won’t make it outside for the party.” She moaned when he nipped again.
“I just love the sounds you make.” His hard cock pressed against her through his jeans. Her wolf whimpered this time wanting to be taken inside her open van outside.
“But I don’t think everyone else wants to hear those sounds, my wolf.” She kissed his neck and he grabbed her ass.
“Fine.” He leaned closer and pressed his mouth to her ear, his breath tickling her flesh. “Tonight, you will be naked on my bed, ready for me to take you from behind.”
“Now everyone’s going to know I’m horny as hell. Thank you so much.” Clover tried to calm her racing libido, but nothing seemed to work.
“And you’re all mine,” he growled low before taking her hand in his. Clover took a few deep breaths as they walked toward the sliding back door.
“Finally, now we can eat,” Tara yelled out as Clover strolled out after her mate.
“Bitch, you better watch it.” Clover pointed with her free hand. Tara winked before grabbing a plate for Patrick. A small line had formed at a large table. Drake strolled up to Ash and clapped his hands.
“Congratulations, big bro, you finally managed to catch up.” A smirk lifted his lips.
“Fuck off. You may be the second in command but I’m still your older brother.” Ash patted Drake’s shoulder and they continued their banter about being dads and what it was like. Clover crept away toward Tara and Patrick.
“Clover.” Patrick tipped his head to the side.
“Yes, sweetheart.” She kneeled to meet his eye level.
“When can I call you Mom?” Patrick fiddled with his fingers and kept his gaze down.
“Whenever you are ready, sugar. You don’t have to call me Mom if you don’t want to.” Clover didn’t want to push him, even with her becoming his legal guardian. They had filed the papers with Drake a day ago. No, she wanted to make him comfortable as much as possible.
“Okay.” He took his plate from Tara and shuffled away for a moment before turning his head toward them. “Thank you, Aunt Tara and Mom.”
Clover’s heart melted at the words and she placed her hand on her chest.
“Oh, you’re going to be all sentimental aren’t you?” Tara tried to sound like she was giving Clover crap, but she knew better, her friend was just as touched by the words as Clover. Soon, I’ll be a mom of two kids! She grabbed some food and made her way to sit next to Patrick and Tara followed.
“Everyone, shut it!” the alpha’s voice boomed through the yard. “Over the last few months we’ve been stressed with our pack under attack but now the threat has been neutralized we can all sleep once more.” Raymand nodded once to Clover. A few wolves clapped their hands and others nodded.
“Of course, parents all know, getting sleep with kids isn’t easy but now we have one less thing off our big plate of worries.” Raymand gave a short smile then pulled Maple into a kiss.
“So, have you thought of names?” Tara bumped Clover’s shoulder.
“I found out like ten minutes ago, woman.” Clover sighed and took a bite from her taco.
“Oh, come on, I think another Tara is needed in the pack.” She winked, and Patrick pitched in a few names he liked, including his own. Clover looked around and met Ash’s gaze. Love filled her heart. Her life was so full of joy and happiness.