The door opened. "Colton Marius Albright, watch your language. You're not too old for me to wash your mouth out with soap. If you're well enough to be concerned about putting a pillow in your lap, I won't feel guilty if I have to use that medical grade antiseptic."

"Yes, Mother. You'll never believe what happened. I found my mate." Colton gave her his best little boy grin.

Alice put her hands on her hips. "Yes dear, I know. I want to talk with you at great length about your poor communication skills."

Rheia stood and motioned for Alice to take her seat.

Colton stared up at his mate. "Don't go. We're a perfect match, remember?"

Rheia turned to the door. "I'm going back to the estate to shower, check on Penny and catch up on my sleep. You should be able to leave sometime tomorrow. Alice has volunteered to nurse you so I can finally get some rest. Have fun with your mother." She wiggled her fingers at him and shut the door behind her.

His mother looked at him and her eyes softened. "Are you in any pain?"

Colton wiggled a bit and slowly removed his pillow, when he saw he was in the clear he put the pillow back behind his head. "Not any more. It hurt like hell when I hit the mattress though."

Alice rolled her eyes. "Then you shouldn't have moved your pillow. Honestly Colton, you act like I haven't seen you walking around with an erection before. You might have forgotten the two decades you were in puberty, but I haven't."

"Mother! Please, never, ever, mention me and the word erection in the same sentence again." Colton shuddered. He looked around. "Where's Father?"

"He's sleeping now so he can relieve me later this evening. By tomorrow we'll take you back to the Alpha estate. We're both dying to meet your daughter. Really Colton, how could you forget to call us?" She sounded so hurt that Colton reached out and took her hand.

"It wasn't safe, Mama," he said simply.

"Oh my sweet boy, don't you know there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you? It's my job as your mother to protect you, not the other way around," she chided him.

Colton blinked and thought back to why Penny left the safety of the Alpha estate. There wasn't much a child wouldn't do for their parents either.

He looked his mother in the eye. "I know."

Her breath caught and she smiled down at him. "I guess you do, now. Welcome to parenthood."

"Love you, Mama."

"Love you, too, Colton. If you almost die again, I'll kill you."

"Yes, ma'am."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Meryn, Beth and Rheia laid blankets on the floor at the end of the hallway. Noah and Jaxon had the day off and were killing zombies on the X-Box downstairs, while Penny and Felix played tag in the hallway. Ryuu had set up an afternoon tea on the floor for the women and Rheia who were enjoying the lazy afternoon. Tomorrow would be pure chaos as the entire household prepared for the Midwinter's Ball, so she was thoroughly relishing this quiet time.

"Fuck!" one of the men shouted.

"Anyone hurt?" Rheia called out.

"We're good," Colton responded.

Rheia went back to her tea, inhaling the gentle fragrance of bergamot and spice.

"This was a wonderful idea. It's so peaceful." Beth leaned against the wall.

"Watch out!" The sound of something large falling from a great height reverberated down the hall.

"Colton?" Rheia yelled.

"That was my bad!" Darian shouted.

Rheia turned to Meryn. "Did you know Colton's middle name is Marius?"

Meryn choked on her tea. "Seriously? How'd that happen?"

Rheia chuckled at the memory of Colton's mother telling her the story. "Colton's father is an international business guru, he can apparently turn dirt into profits. Anyway, he was away on travel a few weeks before Colton was due, despite Alice begging him to stay home. After being home alone for so long, Alice got tired of being bored, so she got in her carriage and went to visit Adelaide for tea. She was just getting ready to leave when her water broke. In the end, Marius delivered Colton and, much to Robert's chagrin, she gave him, Marius as a middle name."

"It's why he feeds me. My father always hated visiting the McKenzie's; Marius would spoil me rotten. My mother unwittingly created quite a scandal naming me after House McKenzie's squire." Colton chuckled as he swaggered down the hallway. He held out his finger pouting. "I have a boo-boo."

Beth and Meryn went 'awwww' and Rheia rolled her eyes. Careful of their cups, Colton laid out on the floor between the three women and soaked up their attention. Beth dropped small chocolates in his mouth and Meryn offered him her tea. Rheia kissed his finger and shook her head at his antics.

Aiden came around the corner covered in flecks of paint.

"Colton! Get your mangy ass away from my mate and get back to your station. We're almost done. I'd like to be able to air out the room before Meryn has to sleep in here tonight," Aiden roared.

Colton hopped up and gave the women a salute. "Coming, fearless leader. Keep your fur on, because according to Meryn, you are fugly without it."

"Colton!" Aiden barked.

Rheia turned to Meryn. "Is it true you hit Aiden over the head with the back of his toilet?"

Meryn nodded. Beth stared at her wide eyed. "I K'O'd his ass the first day I met him."