My Secret, My Bully, My Mates. Series

5 years later.

"There's no way you're going to make that happen." Silas is challenging Mack to a timed speed race.

"What's going on here?" Cam slades up behind me,

wrapping me in his arms.

"The boys just heard about the challenges we used to do and that I beat all of you guys at one time or another. They came up with their own course. This should be interesting."

"They're eight! When we were eight we were still just goofing off. I think Kyle spent more time telling us to listen than actually training us." He laughs. "What do the girls have to say about this?" He looks over to our very not innocent looking daughters.

I giggle. "Who do you think told them about the challenges and designed the race?"

"What did the boys do to earn their well hidden wrath?"

"They all got caught sneaking back in this morning."

"Wait, WHAT?!" How did I not hear about this?"

I grab his forearms as he squeezes me. "Don't worry. They didn't go far and we had tabs on them the whole time. I really wanted them to think they got away with it, but they made the mistake of being cocky and coming in through the back door. Lenny was getting started on breakfast and they were all covered in dirt. There really wasn't anything they could say and they're too little to think on their feet. But the boys all threw the girls under the bus to try and save their own hides." 2

"They're seven and eight! We didn't think about sneaking out that little. What the hell? I don't think we snuck out until we were at least ten, maybe twelve."

"I was six."

"Damn, really?"

"Yeah, I was hungry and I had been in my room for the whole weekend. I don't even remember why now, but that was when I learned how to get out and in my window

undetected. Not all of us had as much freedom as you boys did. You probably would have started sooner if you were feeling restricted. The girls get like this when we are a part, testing boundaries and acting out. Dakota and Oliver have been gone for two weeks and that is just as hard on the girls as it is on us. They have started including the rest of the kids in their antics."

We watch a little longer as the kids set up and decide on rules to make everything fair. Mack and Silas take

competitions very seriously and the girls indulge the theatrics. I don't think the boys even understand that they are about to be played. The course the girls set up has traps and I predict all of them will be in the hospital by the end of the day. The healers have been warned.

"Speaking of your mates being gone. They should be back this evening. Do you need to stay and supervise or can I monopolize your time just a bit longer?"

"You three are insatiable." I laugh at his low growl in my ear.

"That is your fault and I am going to have to go back to sharing you very soon. I actually don't hate the idea, but I still want as much time as I can get. We should talk mom into taking the girls tonight and we can spend some time in the greenhouse, just the four of us. You know Dakota is going to be a baby since he has gone on the last two trips."

I side eye him. "I would love to go and work with Reggie if the three of you are over it. I'm sure Robbie would gladly be my detail."

"Not a chance. I'm still not convinced Robbie has good intentions. And... The last time you left us with the girls I thought the whole pack was going to go up in flames."

"Stop! It wasn't that bad and they were four." He scoops me up and starts walking off. The kids pay us no attention whatsoever. My girls are out for blood after being blamed. The warriors won't let it get too far, but I told them a few years ago to step in as little as possible. These kids need to learn quickly from their actions and any kids of mine are going to learn the hard way unfortunately.

"Where is my Sweetness? I am in need of attention and loving after all of that." Dakota comes into the greenhouse dramatically, Oliver following behind in his usual quiet manner.

I jump up from the lounge and let Kota sweep me into a hug and deep kiss.

"I've missed you too." I giggle into his shoulder. "I was telling Cam earlier that I would gladly go in your place if you guys are tired of traveling."

"NO!" All three of them say loudly and we all laugh.

"That was almost as bad as the first time you made us do back to back training with you. I legitimately thought we were going to die. I didn't sleep the whole time you were gone. Dani wouldn't stay in her bed. That was when we figured out she could climb the furniture...silently. Charlie refused to eat. I thought Cam was going to blow a gasket worrying about her. Ori decided to hide all of their clothes except their suits when we wouldn't let them swim. Mom was no help. The screaming tantrums made me feel like the worst Daddy on the planet and they were making us feel bad on purpose. I know it! And that was just what happened during bedtime! You can't leave us here with them. You won't have any mates or kids when you get back!"

I tap his cheeks with my hands. "Don't be so dramatic. I already told Cam, they were four, you guys are all older and wiser now."

"So are they!" Dakota whines.

I walk over to Oliver who is patiently waiting his turn to greet me. He wraps me up in a hug and stands so I have to wrap my legs around his waist. He buries his nose in my neck and takes a deep breath, once, twice, then grips me tighter and takes one more deep breath before looking me in the eyes. His smile tells me he knows. "We said you probably wouldn't be able to leave the pack much. Clearly we weren't kidding." He growls low, but Cam and Kota hear and stop talking to listen.

"Wait a minute!" Dakota sounds offended. "How long have you known this time?"

"It's hard to get all of us together at the same time right now with all the training we are doing at the Royal pack. So yes, are you guys ready for round two?" Their shocked looks tell me everything I need to know and I wish I thought to get a video of their reactions.

"What do you mean round two...exactly?" Cam whispers. "I need very small words in short sentences."

I laugh. "We...are....having...three....boys. You guys don't mess around."

We haven't really talked about growing our family, but obviously haven't done anything to prevent the growth either. The moon goddess decided to bless me with a break, after everything and knowing our girls were going to be a handful.

When they all come out of their shock they surround me, overjoyed.

"They are going to be so much worse aren't they?" Cam asks.

"Worse? No. A part of the problem. Absolutely. We will officially be out numbered."Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.