She could feel the strength in his hands where he gripped her and by the force of his thrusts. There was something about all that strength directed into the single purpose of pleasuring her that made her drop her head back.

Unlike before she knew Colton didn't have to worry about not claiming her, so when he leaned forward and covered her body with his own she knew what was coming. She tilted her head to one side.

"Make me yours Colton, don't hold back."

He roared and his hips began to piston at a ferocious pace. Every third or fourth thrust he reached her cervix and it was just the bit of pain she needed. Screaming she felt her orgasm flood her body with pleasure, like a dam bursting water over parched earth. Her body soaked up every wave of ecstasy.

He bit down on her shoulder and thrust twice more before filling her with his cum. She loved hearing him gasping for breath above her, knowing that it was her body that drove him to the edge. When he pulled out she moaned; her orgasm had clenched her muscles and he felt even bigger.

"Be right back, baby." Colton kissed her tailbone and walked to the bathroom.

As sexy as it was in the moment, cooling cum dripping down her leg felt gross. When Colton returned with a warm wet washcloth and began to wash her, she sighed happily. After he finished and returned the washcloth to the bathroom and got back in bed with her where they snuggled up together.

"You said it gets better than this?" she asked.

"From what I hear. After a few years, I'll know every inch of your skin by heart."

"I can't wait." She stretched. "Did you want to eat lunch with the others?"

"Yeah, just let me rest my eyes for a few minutes." Seconds later he was out like a light and snoring.

Rheia was definitely not tired, if anything she felt energized. Slipping from under his arm, she went the bathroom and showered quickly. She pulled her clothes back on and looked over to where Colton lay with his mouth open, drool trickling down his chin. She smiled. She must be in love, because he looked ridiculous and yet she still wanted to jump him for more sex. She decided to give him a few more minutes rest before they would go down for lunch.

Sighing she picked up the pregnancy stone to slip it back in the pouch and nearly dropped it when it began to glow a deep amber color. She froze. She set the stone back down on the nightstand and stepped back. She picked it up again and the amber glow flared brightly.

She looked at Colton then at the stone, then down at her flat stomach.

"Merry Christmas, my love."

Smiling she put the stone back in the pouch and tucked it into her pocket. She'd figure out a way to tell him later. Now she had to wake him to eat.

*****

"Meryn! You have to start getting ready!" Beth called out into the hallway. Even from the family room everyone heard her clearly.

"I'm leveling up, be there in a minute!" Meryn shouted back tapping away on her laptop.

"I still have to do your makeup and your hair!"

"No, you don't. I'll be ready before you."

"Perfection takes time! And really good make up!"

"Don't worry about it. I'll be fine."

"Argghh, she's hopeless! At least Rheia let me help her." Colton heard her say and then it was quiet.

The men were already dressed and ready to go and waiting in the family room. Rheia and Penny had come down first, looking enchanting. Colton thought his heart would burst. Beth had coordinated Rheia and Penny's dresses so that they complimented each other. Rheia's dress was a vision of fire, a red satin gown trimmed in white. Her hair was pulled back in a complex series of braids and her makeup was sheer and natural looking, except for the fire engine red lipstick. Colton had plans for that lipstick later. His princess was dressed in a layered white fluffy dress lined in red satin. She wore a half braid that was adorned with a simple red bow.

There were rumors floating around Lycaonia that Beth had threatened bodily harm on no less than three dress shopkeepers to get proper attire for his mate and daughter so last minute.

Beth had been upstairs since ten o'clock that morning. Gavriel had been forced to get ready in Darian's room since he was forbidden to go into his own suite. Meryn was laid out on the sofa in jeans, sweatshirt, grimy sneakers, and laptop on her stomach. Rheia kept sneaking worried looks in her direction.

They heard heels on the stairs and the men straightened. Gavriel stood as Beth entered the room. She had chosen to compliment her cool complexion and blonde hair with non-traditional Christmas colors. Instead her dress embodied the essence of winter. The main body of the dress was skin tight and done in a very expensive looking teal silk and accented with deep blues and whites. She smiled demurely at Gavriel who was having trouble catching his breath. Then her eyes moved over to Meryn, her mouth dropped.

"Meryn!" she screeched. The men winced.

"Okay, okay." Meryn sat up and put her laptop aside. She grabbed a wadded up garment bag that had a muddy sneaker tread on it and headed towards the bathroom. Beth was clutching at her chest and looked to be on the verge of having a panic attack.

Rheia stood and rubbed her back. "It's okay, everything will be just fine."

"Do you have any idea how long it takes to get ready for something like this?" Beth demanded.

Rheia and Penny nodded. They had just experienced 'getting ready' at Beth's hands.

"Okie dokie, let's boogie," Meryn said from the doorway.

Beth turned and Colton had to hide his smile. Meryn was decked out head to toe. Her hair was perfectly coifed and a single emerald teardrop necklace adorned her neck. Her dress was forest green and around the waist was a plaid that looked like it matched Aiden's tartan perfectly. She had on white gloves up to her elbows and more emeralds at her wrists. Even her makeup looked flawless.