Piper was in the small corner kitchen making a meatloaf casserole for dinner when it sounded like a lamp crashing to the floor in the other room. The roar that followed had her heart racing.
“Emily and Jax Triggert, what did I say about shifting in the house?” she shouted. It was the only explanation for the chaos.
Piper did not need this. Not now. She had to stay calm when she told Cade her news.
Leaning heavily on the Formica counter, she lowered her head, trying to compose herself before she saw the destruction. When she’d arrived home, she hadn’t thought her day could get any worse. Right before she left work this evening, the paramedics brought in six people who’d been involved in a three-vehicle crash. Several were in serious condition, and she’d had to X-Ray them without injuring them further. That put her twenty minutes behind in picking up the kids. When she arrived at the daycare, Natalie, the woman who ran the center, told her that Jax had been rather aggressive with another little boy. Piper had apologized, but this wasn’t the first time her son had stepped out of line. Young panther shifters were known to be rambunctious, or so Cord had said.
A different sounding crash came from the den. Time to referee. Piper tossed the mixing spoon onto the already messy counter and rushed into the family room where the kids were supposed to be playing quietly. She opened the door and stilled. “What the—”
Two of the throw pillows from the sofa had been torn to shreds, the metal lamp with the pleated lampshade that her parents had given her was in pieces on the floor, and Jax was swiping a paw at his sister’s legs, which was the reason for Emily’s continued growls.
“Jax, stop it.” Emily pawed at her brother and missed, seemingly unaware that Piper was standing there. Poor baby was scared. “Emily.”
Her daughter made one final attempt then lumbered toward her. Immediately, she shifted back into her human form and hugged Piper’s leg.
“Jax, shift back this minute.”
He growled then spun, transforming into his small form. Looking up at her with those big brown eyes, his cute pout almost made her relent and not punish him. He looked so much like his daddy, having the same olive skin and sturdy body. The kid was hell on wheels, but when he got older, he was going to break a lot of girls’ hearts. She couldn’t love him more if she tried, but right now, she was tempted to throttle some sense into him.
Piper picked up a sniffling Emily and brushed her long blonde hair from her pale face. “Jax, go to your room right now.”
He widened his stance, looking adorably fierce. “No.”
“I won’t ask you again. Your father will be home soon.” At the mention of Cord’s name, her two and a half year old son waddled out of the room. “I’ll be in to check on you, young man.”
As soon as he disappeared from sight, she checked out Emily. Her arm was bleeding. “What did I say about shifting in the house, young lady?”
“Jax started it.” She scrunched up her face and looked as if she was about to cry—and that was the last thing Piper needed right now.
Blowing out a breath to keep from giving a lecture, Piper carried her daughter to the bedroom. Halfway down a hallway plastered with family photos, she heard the front door open and relief washed through her. Cord was home.
“Could use a little help in here,” she called out as she stepped into Emily’s room.
Seconds later, he entered the bedroom where Piper was patching the scratch on their daughter’s arm. Piper could have healed Emily with her powers, but a bandage would remind her daughter to be careful.
Cord stepped behind Piper and slipped his arms around her waist. His mere touch had her senses reeling. She needed him so much, but right now, she had to tend to Emily.
Leaning over Piper’s shoulder, he kissed her neck, making it hard for her to concentrate. His scent was fresh and oh, so masculine, causing delicious sizzles of lust to spring up her body. “Better not start, I have to put the casserole in the oven.”
“Spoilsport. What can I do to help?”
He was in a good mood for a change. She knew it was her fault he’d been so sour, but of late, she’d been overwhelmed and had gone to bed exhausted every night. Yesterday, she’d found out why. “Jax and Emily trashed the den again. He’s in time out in his room. Can you go talk with him?”
“Shit. I am so sorry. Sure,” he telepathed. He squeezed her tight and trotted off.
Everyone kept telling them that things would get better once the twins turned three, but Piper wasn’t sure she’d make it that long. After she finished with Emily, Piper carried her back to the kitchen and placed her in her highchair.
Emily fussed, but Piper had learned to let her rant. “Things will get better,” Piper said aloud mostly to convince herself.
A minute later, Cord walked in with their son in his arms, looking so handsome in his uniform. She wanted to hug them both, but Jax had to learn when to shift and when not to.