“You can shift in here.”
The wolf sat down and tilted his head. I touched his snout and stared deep into his brown eyes while stroking his muzzle with my thumb. “Lorenzo, wake up. Shift back. If you don’t shift back, you’ll have to go outside. Please stay by my side. I don’t know if I can do this alone.” A chill ran up my spine.
In a fluid movement, the wolf changed into a man. Lorenzo stepped forward and cupped my cheek. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“It’s meant to be,” I said softly. “Whatever that means. I’m so scared.”
He bent down and locked eyes with mine. “Stay close. It might not be safe. We don’t know these people, and they might do anything to keep you from taking your child.”
Lorenzo quickly yanked on the black pants and dark sweatshirt, flipping his hair from beneath the collar. He stood barefoot, and when the door opened, the tension in the room snapped like electricity.
The tall Chitah entered the room and gave Lorenzo a critical stare with his golden eyes. He approached him and bowed. “This is the Cross home. And you are?”
“Lorenzo Church.”
When Lakota’s adoptive father glanced my way, I blinked, unable to hold his predatory gaze.
“Keep your eyes low,” Lorenzo said. “Don’t intimidate my woman with your stare.”
A blush rose to my cheek. His woman? I knew he was taking that position to protect me, but for a brief moment, the idea of him being mine warmed my heart.
The black-haired Mage appeared in the doorway and hesitated. Then I looked around and realized how frightening this would look to a little boy.
“Lorenzo, can you sit down?” I asked.
He glared at me with purposeful eyes. “Ivy…”
“Please,” I whispered.
After a deep and audible breath, Lorenzo strolled to the sofa on our left and took a seat, facing the door. I glanced back at him and nodded my thanks.
“This is an impressive home,” I said.
Mr. Cross languidly tilted his head to the side. “We have state-of-the-art security systems in place. No expense spared to protect our family.”
The Mage still hovered in the doorway. “Honey, can you sit down with our guests?”
Her mate reluctantly ambled toward the seating area and sat on the sofa facing Lorenzo. His posture was clearly dominant, his legs apart and chin held high. The two men simply stared at each other in silence.
“Nothing awkward about this at all,” she mumbled to herself before turning around and whispering in the hallway.
Butterflies tickled my stomach. I had to take a deep breath to keep from fainting. Was this happening? Was I dreaming? I was about to meet my son for the second time, and my right hand gripped my cane so tightly that the metal bit into my skin.
“Lakota, stop pushing the elevator buttons! I’m sorry, I’ll be right back.”
She vanished from the doorway and Mr. Cross chuckled, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “He’s a cunning little man who knows what he wants. We had to adjust the locks on our floor so he couldn’t get out into the hall. He used to visit one of his uncles and knock on his door.”
I smiled as the mischief played in my head like a short movie. “Why?”
He folded his hands on his lap. “Because my brother lets him snack on cheese puffs in front of the television. I’d rather he not become dependent on such trivial things as human entertainment when it’s not a way of life for us.” His eyes lowered and emotions played on his face, but he remained silent.
Little feet stamped in the hallway and I heard a short giggle.
When the young woman finally returned, she was holding the hand of a little boy. He had a mischievous grin on his face, his blue eyes sparkling with humor. His skin coloring was a little lighter than mine, but his long hair and dark eyebrows made up for that. His mother knelt down and straightened his shirt—black with green sleeves that went to his wrists.
She glanced at the end of his short pants and quickly stood up. “He grows like a beanstalk. I don’t normally dress him in clothes that are too small.”
“Don’t apologize for Lakota’s attire,” her mate said in a low voice.
Lakota looked up at her and she patted his head. “Mommy, why are we in here? I want to watch cartoons.”
“There’s someone I want you to meet.”
She searched my eyes, so I redirected my attention on Lakota.
“Would you like to see something really neat?” I asked him in a soft voice.
He shrugged.
I held my cane in front of me and twisted it around. Curiosity got the better of him and he walked over and looked at the silver wolf’s head.
“Neato. Can I touch it?”
I laughed. “Careful, he bites when he’s hungry.”
Lakota stroked the top of the wolf’s head and then poked at the teeth. “He doesn’t bite me because I’m not scared of him. What’s it for?”
“It’s my walking stick. I need it because I hurt my leg.”
“Why can’t you heal?”