Chapter 19 - Kayla

"And this is our house. I know it's a bit small but that should make it much easier to pack up. If it's okay, we can start that tomorrow while the kids are in school."

My honey is talking a mile a minute as his stress increases. He wants so much for me to see the finest in him. So cute!

"Nicolas, hush," I said softly while giving him a big smile. "I have a full week to get everything done here and can take more time if I need it. Amber is more than capable to handle the castle. If she has a question, she can mindlink me."

"I'm sorry, love. I just want you to see my best and looking around here, I'm not sure of that."

I took a good look around. Some of the walls were dirty with little fingerprints, toys were stacked in corners and the laundry room was overflowing into the kitchen. But everything was clean and the place looked like a home with a full family.

Since I was seventeen, I've refused to dream of having that. Now I do. It's a bit overwhelming.

Nicolas and his wolf are feeling that emotion and mistaking it for something bad. It's not. I put Sydney in a playpen in the living room and pull him into a fierce hug, sending my thoughts to him.

"I don't think you could ever comprehend how happy you've made me." I said into his shoulder. "Now let's get some dinner made and start on that laundry."

I mentally was making of list of things that needed to be done. Get boxes, check cleaning supplies, maybe see what theme to make their new rooms? My mind was moving fast, jumping from one thing to another. I needed to slow down and spend some time with everyone.

"Will, would you like to help me cook dinner?" I asked.

"Can we have some mashed potatoes?" he asked.

"Sure! Let's see what else we have."

I was shocked when I opened the pantry. Not only was it full to overflowing but I recognized some of these ingredients as chef quality. Someone cooks everything from scratch. I then opened the fridge then freezer. There was almost nothing premade or processed.

I think I'm in trouble. My cooking skills are good but not this good.

"Uh, Nicolas?" He was separating clothes in a meticulous fashion, making about eight different piles.

"Coming," he said as he walked towards me. He received about a hundred brownie points at that moment for not saying 'what'. My matebond is loving this.

"Unless we have something simple, I may need help. I'm sorry to say, I usually have ten people in the kitchen preparing different items and I'm a little intimidated by making complex things. I want you and the pups to like my cooking, but..." I trailed off as I waved my hands towards the fridge and pantry.

"I can do that," came from Will. He walked over to the far counter and spoke in a more grownup voice, "KCS, open recipe book for dinners with mashed potatoes."

A tablet on the counter in front of him glowed and a voice started to list off different menu options. I was impressed!

"Pause," Will said to the tablet. He turned to me and asked, "how about that one? I love Shepherds Pie made with beef!"

"Sounds good!" I said turning back to Nicolas. "Don't go far, in case I need help." His smile lit up his face and I was struck silent for a moment. My Goddess, he is gorgeous!

Dinner ended up being much easier than I imagined. Will obviously helps in the kitchen a lot as he knew what each ingredient was and where it was.

Wolf pups grow faster physically and mentally than humans. Our pups start school at 18 months old and finish high school at 13 yrs old. They spend the next year testing for what profession would best suit them and physically training their bodies while waiting for their wolf to emerge. Once they master shifting and learn their wolf's temperament, they start learning their trade or go to University. We are adults and can start our new career at 18, unless you are a Blood Alpha. They must wait until at least 25 but some wait longer if the current one refuses to step down.

"I want my new Mama to give me my bath." Debra told Nicolas when he lifted her out of her booster seat at the table.

"I would love too," I told her as she practically jumped from his arms to mine. We walked to the bathroom and she wiggled to be put down. She methodically went through the tub toys in the basket beside the tub, pulling out the dolls with no clothes on, or in a bathing suit. I saw a Mermaid on the side and pointed it out.

"Oh, thank you! I was looking for her." Debra showed me exactly how she likes her baths and complained about how Grace gets everything wet. "She's like a little kid!" she exclaimed.

By the time Sydney, Debra and Will were settled down for the night, I had already decided on the themes for the rooms and mindlinked them to Amber and my Mom. My thoughts were trying to overwhelm me again so I grabbed a basket of clean clothes and sat down to fold them.

"Can we talk for a moment?" Nicolas sat across from me and seeming to think better if it, moved to the floor beside the basket. He also started to fold clothes. The anxiety coming off him in waves concerned me and my wolf entered his mind, trying her best to give comfort.

"How can I help?" I want him to relax around me but he just isn't there yet. Is it something I'm doing? He looked unseeingly at the sleeper in his hands before looking back to me. I could feel him working up his courage.

"Kayla, my wolf and I would like you to sleep in the same room with us and if you agree, cuddled together in my bed," he started and I could feel the 'but' before he said it, "but, um, I'm not ready to, um..." He stopped again to gather his courage.

So much has happened that I completely forgot that he was attacked and raped less than 48 hours ago. I am such a bad mate, I thought sadly.

I sank down to the floor and crawled into his lap. I wrapped my arms around him tightly. I love how even in human form, we are about the same size.

"After the massacre, I would not speak to anyone for the first few days." I whispered into the mindlink. I didn't want little ears hearing this conversation. "I'm guessing your training is helping?" I asked.

"It is, but, I've also had several breakdowns since then."

"Nicolas, we may not be ready to have sex for a while. Are you okay with that? I know you think you are asking me to wait but honestly, my brain is trying to find something else to concentrate on because I just don't want to think about it. I like the few kisses we've shared. I love the tingles I feel when we touch." I took his hand in mine to prove my point. "Can we focus on getting comfortable with each other first?" Before he could answer, I continued, "and cuddling while sleeping is a must. My wolf doesn't want to be very far from you."

His beautiful smile was my reward.