Wulfe Untamed (Feral Warriors #8)(93)

Only Grizz was missing, on yet another search for Sabine. When he’d returned to Montana after Satanan’s defeat, he’d found her house empty. Deserted. Not even the male tasked with delivering her supplies knew where she’d gone. Grizz had been trying, without success, to find her ever since.

Kara raised a toast. “To our soon-to-be newest edition. And her wonderful mom and dad. Have you decided on a name, yet?”

Natalie glanced at him, a soft smile breaking across her mouth before she made their announcement. “Liesel. We’re naming her for a girl Wulfe knew in his youth, a lovely young woman whose life was cut short and who needs to be remembered.”

When Natalie first suggested the name, he’d balked. The memory of Liesel still had the power to cut. But the more he’d thought about it, the more he knew his wife was right. The name would become his daughter’s, no longer bound to his nightmare. At the same time, this was a fitting way to give the girl he’d failed one final gift. Immortality.

The Feral wives surged forward, surrounding Natalie and whisking her to the chaise that was already surrounded by presents of every shape and size. As the pack of females passed Pink and Xavier, Natalie grabbed a feathered hand, dragging the ever-shy Pink along with her to a peal of sweet, high-pitched laughter. More than a dozen Ilinas had arrived at Ariana’s and Melisande’s invitation, and they stood on the periphery of the feminine clutch, laughing and smiling.

Natalie’s gaze found him through the throng. “Don’t you want to help open presents?”

Wulfe laughed and shook his head as Tighe handed him a beer. He lifted the bottle. “Can’t. Got my hands full.”

Natalie threw back her head and laughed, then tore open the first present.

Tighe’s hand landed on Wulfe’s shoulder. “You have no idea what you’re in for, my friend. Kids explode into your life, leaving everything you thought you knew in shambles. That daughter of yours is going to transform you. After Natalie, she’ll be the best thing that ever happened to you.”

The emotion in Tighe’s voice had Wulfe looping his arm around his friend’s shoulder. “Our daughters are going to be virtually the same age.”

Tighe grunted. “You thought we had our hands full with Inir’s evil Mage. Just wait until those two become teenagers.”

Hawke and Kougar joined them, Jag and Fox striding up a moment later, followed by Vhyper, Paenther, and Lyon. One by one, they slapped forearms with Wulfe, congratulating him on the child that would soon be born. Then as one they turned and watched their wives.

“How did we stand this place when it was just us rattling around here?” Paenther mused.

“All those years, just nine Feral Warriors.” Lyon grunted. “Compared to now, this place was like a morgue.”

Tighe lifted his beer. “To the women who’ve brought us light and life, laughter and love. May we make them as happy as they’ve made us.”

“Hear, hear,” Jag said, taking a swig of his beer.

The women exclaimed over one of the gifts, their sweet voices raised in pleasure. But it was only one woman Wulfe had eyes for. His precious Natalie.

She held up a ruffled pink dress that was smaller than his hand for him to see, grinning with delight. But all that mattered to him was the joy that radiated from those calm, gray eyes.

And the love.

For him.