Chapter 3

Aurora POV

“Mummy, can I swim in the pool?” Logan asks me as he runs up to where I am sitting, pulling my focus back to the present and out of my spiralling thoughts. He’s Violet’s twin, with bright blue eyes and red hair like his father’s. I nod, cupping his cute little cheeks before he disappears off into the house to change. As much as I try not to think about Luca’s future, there are times I can’t shake the sense of dread that creeps over my skin when I do.

“I should go check on them,” I nod to the others. I strip out of my dress, wearing my gold bikini and heels as I follow after my son. “We’ll come with its so hot today,” Kara nods at Stacey as they both shed their clothes, leaving their bikinis and following me down to the pool. I’m still lost in thought that I collide with Caleb at the base of the stairs. “Want me to help you get wet, baby girl?” I swallow, my stomach flipping as I look up at him. He isn’t wearing his glasses today either and I can make out the artic blue shades of his eyes in the sunlight. “What?” I ask, not entirely registering what he said as sparks erupt over my skin. He studies me curiously before his lips press into a straight line.

“None of that today baby girl, just enjoy yourself and have fun,” he kisses my head before I see a mischievous glint appear in his eyes as I look up at him and too the pool. “Don’t you dare!” I pout, pointing my perfectly manicured finger into his muscular bare chest. He holds up his hands in surrender, his eyebrows wiggling as I feel another pair of hands wrap around my middle. The next second I am air born screaming through the air before my body hits the water with an enormous splash.

I scramble back to the surface, looking at Caleb and then seeing Gabriel standing beside him as he laughs before diving into the water beside me. “You!” I growl as he gathers me up in his arms like a rag doll before holding me up over his head like I weigh nothing. “Yes Aurora?” he teases as I growl at him. “You ruined my hair,” I complain, jutting out my bottom lip. I spent ages making sure the curls were just right. He smiles, his blue eyes softening as he glides me down his body, moulding me to him.

“You look beautiful no matter what,” he nibbles my ear before kissing my head as I relent melting into his arms. Stupid mate bond. Can’t even stay mad at them for long. Although that doesn’t mean I am going to let him off the hook. “You’re not so bad yourself.” I grumble, trying to hold on to my anger and failing miserably. “But you know there are consequences for sneaking up on an alpha like that?” I tell him, wiggling my brows as I push out from his hold. “Bring it on love,” he challenges and a devilish smirk crosses my face before I leap into the air, tackling him into the pool as water flies around us.

“Get him mummy!” I hear Violet cheer from the edge of the pool before she jumps in, swimming over to us and trying to help me tackle her father. “Excuse me princess, what did I do to you?” he teases as her little arms splash water into his face. “You should never do that. Mummy spent ages doing her hair!” she complains on my behalf as I grin, giving Gabriel a pointed look. I taught my daughter well. Aria dives in next, swimming over and joining in the fun.

“Aren’t you going to help?” he asks as I shake my head, wringing out my hair. “I’ll help you, daddy!” Logan calls as he swims over to Gabriel. Both Aria and Violet are clinging to his shoulders as he repeatedly stands up and then dunks himself into the water before jumping back up again. They cackle and laugh, enjoying this new game. Logan crawls up his pack, trying to pull them off as I smile, enjoying the show. “Again, daddy!” Violet demands, attempting to push him into the water as they all squeal in delight.

“You’re going to flood the garden,” Jaden complains as he stands on the side, watching Gabriel make waves. “Oh, don’t be like that. We are having fun,” I remind him as he smirks. His gaze snaps to his mate as Stacey gets in the pool, the water up to her waist as she gives him a smile. “Looking hot pumpkin,” he coos as she gives him a wink. He joins her in the pool, pulling her into his arms and whispers in her ear. Their twins dive bomb in and Elio and Kara join with Xander and Addie next.

“Let’s play a game girls v boys!” Logan shouts as Gabriel peels the kids off of him. They all suddenly clap, looking very excited. “Yes, you are going down, daddy!” Violet tells him poking him in the chest before she and Aria swim over to me. “Addie, you're on our team,” Kara beckons the little girl as she swims across. Jaden reluctantly lets Stacey go wrangling his twins in the process. Caleb gets in the water, joining the ranks, and I see Sebastian step to the side before sitting down besides Luca. “You coming buddy?” he nudges him with his elbow lightly as Luca scrunches up his face.

“No,” he grunts, but I see his little feet kick the water lightly. “Oh come on, it will be fun,” I encourage I see Ethan watching us from the corner of my eyes by the BBQ, sipping a beer with Hunter and Willow beside him. “No,” Luca grumbles again as I look at Sebastian, then back at Luca. And I feel that familiar twist in my chest — the one that whispers, maybe one day he’ll stop saying no and start saying nothing at all. Pushing my thoughts away, I try another tactic. “How about you help us keep score and stop anyone from cheating?” I suggest as he shrugs his shoulders but nods. I know deep down he is worried that he will just get carried away and something bad will happen. But I don’t like that he excludes himself and misses out on playing.

“Little wolf, are you sure you know what you are doing?” Elio arches a brow in Kara’s direction. She gives him a sweet smile, nodding her head. “You bet, sweetie, bring it on!” That’s my girl. The twins are already splashing water over to us as Jaden tries to control their enthusiasm. “We haven’t started yet boys save your energy,” he grumbles as Stacey smiles, watching the three of them.

“Okay on three.” Sabastian starts giving me a wink as we get in our positions. Luca stays on the edge, eyes on us all, like he was waiting for something we couldn’t see.