verb ~ settle a dispute by mutual concession

Phoenix didn't come home until late that night.

The girls had stayed until dinner time and I had thanked them again for a lovely day celebrating. Once alone with nothing but my thoughts, I found myself going over everything I received today and taking the majority of it to the baby nursery. It wasn't heavy, so Phoenix should not get agitated at me doing manual labour. Even if it was just a few bags of toys or clothes.

Staring at the blank canvas of a nursery, I found myself resting my hand on my stomach. The bump was a slight, five-course meal bloat but I could feel them moving inside. Small flutters sent my heart to my throat with joy.

With aching feet, I slowly trudged into my new bathroom and ran a bath. I left the mirror fog-free, climbing into the water so I could have a view of the sunset. I caught it mid-cycle and sighed with contentment as I turned the jets on to massage my muscles. Kate had said no hot tubs, but my bath wasn't hot enough to be a danger to my blood pressure, so I was going to enjoy it whilst I could.

By the time the moon's brightness was the only thing to fill the sky, I climbed out of the bath carefully. The last thing I wanted to do was slip onto my butt whilst I was home alone. Chuckling to myself, I moisturised and brushed my teeth, tying my thankfully still dry hair into a French braid. Pulling my towel tighter, I entered my dressing room and pulled on some warm winter pyjamas. With Phoenix not here to be my personal heater, I would have to cosy down with some soft jammies.

Wriggling into bed, my body collapsed with exhaustion. I was super tired today, my body giving up before the day truly ended, so it wasn't a surprise that once my head hit the pillow, sleep came soon enough.

***

I woke with a hunger.

Having not eaten any dinner last night, it was hunger that disturbed my sleep.

Rolling over in bed, I glanced at my watch to find it was only eight in the morning. I was warm and toasty, and the smell of Phoenix invaded my senses. I glanced over at him, finding his eyes softly shut. His mouth was slightly parted, gentle snores leaving with every breath. His hair was tousled and his chest was bare, the duvet wrapped around his waist.

I chewed down the desire that pooled in my belly, leaving the poor guy to sleep. Since taking all that time off over Christmas, he had a random excess of work to catch up on. I knew sleepy Phoenix was my best bet of speaking about going to the mountains, and a breakfast sure would sweeten the deal.

Grinning, I pecked his temple lightly before scurrying from the room. Making my way upstairs, I rummaged through the cupboards until I found what I was looking for. I still couldn't stomach meat smells very well, especially in the morning, so omelettes would do. Chopping onion, mushroom, bacon and peppers, I got to making Phoenix two omelettes for his breakfast. The kettle boiling for our morning coffee signalled me to grab two mugs. I allowed myself one cup a day, limiting my caffeine intake.

The clatter of the frying pan in the sink must've been the tipping point of waking him because only a few seconds later did my handsomely dishevelled mate come walking into the kitchen. His hand scratched at his hair, pushing it away from his face. His beard was stubbly, tan skin glinting in the morning sun that blessed us today.

Thank you, Goddess, for giving my mate such a damn hot body.

"Good morning." I chirped, setting his plate by a stool.

He growled softly, approaching me from behind to wrap his arms around my torso. I leaned into him, arching my neck as he gently sunk his teeth into my mark. I moaned, shuddering against him as his canines broke the skin, sinking a centimetre into my neck before pulling out and licking it clean. He had a thing lately for that, constantly re-claiming my mark whenever his wolf demanded it so.

"Good morning." He mumbled, low and soft.

"I made you omelettes for breakfast." I grinned, tilting my head to kiss his cheek.

He hummed, moving away from me to sit on the bar stool. I marvelled at the way his body moved, clutching my mug between my hands as he began to eat. Even the way his jaw moved as he stared down at his morning emails whilst he ate. His two fingers held the cutlery whilst his pinkie swiped on his phone and goddamn, these hormones were killing me.

It was the same as every day, so why was my hormonal ass begging me to bend over today?

Sensing my sudden shift in emotions, Phoenix's jaw paused, his eyes flicking from his phone to my face. I grinned innocently, blinking way too many times to be considered normal.

"You okay there?" He mused.

I laughed, nodding my head vigorously. "Yes. Yep. I am good, all good here. Just drinking my coffee."

"Are you going to eat?" He quirked an eyebrow, glancing down at my untouched plate.

I jumped as if remembering, before picking up my fork and stabbing at the omelette. He chuckled softly as I made a show of feeding myself, his eyes warm and soft with his morning attitude. Whereas nine times out of ten I was a zombie in the morning, Phoenix was always gentle and softly spoken. He didn't talk much until his coffee hit, but he could at least function enough to button his shirt.

Finishing simultaneously, I took his plate to the sink. Returning to the island, I was pleasantly surprised to find him standing and coming toward me. Holding my arms out to him, he wasted no time in pulling me into his chest, kissing my temple.

"Thank you for breakfast. It was lovely." He smiled.

"You're welcome." I grinned, rubbing my cheek along his bare chest.

Ugh, his scent.

"So, want to do this now or after?"

"Huh?" I wondered, my brows knitting with confusion.

"What did you want to ask me?" He chuckled. "Want to do it now, or after I take you to bed."

I gasped with surprise when his hand grabbed at my ass, the action not helping in keeping my desire at bay. Celimene rose with the change in tempo, my eyes flashing with her want to let our mate take us.

'Later.' She purred. 'Please, now.'

I chewed my lip, at war with two parts of myself. I wanted him, of course, I did, but I wanted answers more.

"Now." I nodded firmly.

'Cruel!' Cel whined.

I watched with amusement as his sensual smirk fell from his lips, only for a breathy laugh to take its place. I crossed my arms, looking up at him with determination.

"Okay little wolf, what is it?"

I growled at him Celimene baring her teeth in my mind.

'I'm no little wolf.' She huffed.

I fought back the urge to smirk, instead of forcing Phoenix back into one of the bar stools so I could be at eye level. Perhaps I was little...

"What is it?" Phoenix repeated.

Blinking to clear the mind fog, I cleared my throat. "I want to go back to the mountains."

The lazy grin vanished, smouldering like flames to ash it vanished from his face. His eyebrows furrowed, a wrinkle appearing from how hard he was frowning. I winced as a low growl erupted in his chest, and he rapidly shook his head. His lips dropped into a scowl and he closed his eyes to hide the darkness that threatened to spoil my fun.

"No. Absolutely not."

"I have a very good reason to go back-

"Nova, my love. Please, the last time you went up there lots of bad things happened." His eyes snapped open, fire burning within. "And now you are pregnant!"

"Please, Phoenix. I need to go." I whimpered.

"Nova. The last two times you went somewhere without me, very bad things happened. I nearly lost you twice, and I'll be damned if it happens again, to you or our children." He gritted his teeth.

"I won't go alone!" I pleaded. "You can come with me."

"I can't just drop work so quickly, I have so much to catch up on." He scoffed.

He stayed silent, harsh eyes running along my expression. Ever so gently he softened, a small sigh leaving his lips as he forced himself to calm down.

"We don't have to go right now, we can give plenty of notice, go just for the weekend! You have a plane right?"

He frowned. "I do. But we would have to trek up mountain still and I don't know about you flying whilst you are carrying."

"I will ask Kate! See if we can go by plane. Stay two nights and be back on the third day!" I pouted, furrowing my eyebrows to give him my best puppy look.

He inhaled again, running his tongue along the inside of his cheek. "Why do you want to go?"

"I don't want to, I need to." I shook my head. "I have to speak to a woman there, a Lycan female. I have questions that I need answers to. I have a family history I have no idea about. Being there, I hope that I can find out more about my heritage and my power. Maybe Angela can help me!"

"The witch?" He quirked an eyebrow. "Witches are cunning."

"Angela has been a friend of the family for years." I waved him off. "Look at Gaia, she's fine."

"Look at her spawn." He scoffed.

Celimene chuckled at his choice of words and I fought hard to not show the offence his words took to my soul. In my mind, Raven redeemed herself by saving me. Phoenix was still upset about everything that happened to see my view on that. Donovan however...

"Donovan is still chained up, right? Who else is going to get me?" I shook my head.

"He may be chained up, but there are other threats out there."

"Like what? Mountain lions?" I mused.

He shook his head, no amusement in his features. "I have been keeping something from you."

My stomach churned with unease, and I fidgeted in my spot. "What?"

"I know, we agreed to not hide things from each other. I have been wanting to tell you, but I haven't found the right moment."

"So you choose now?" I squeaked. "What is it?"

"I have been receiving threats for my blood, our pack..." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I have been dealing with endless files and peace treaty adjustments, and appeasements. Wolves are chomping at the bit, angry that I did not make Alexandar fight me for Kingship."

I swallowed harshly, my eyes scanning his face for tells of a lie.

"Rogues are hunting close to pack borders again, killing humans in their towns... The cold weather brings them closer to civilisation to hunt." He continued. "I have had reports of them grouping up. It's not safe out there."

I shakily sighed, nerves pinning me to the spot. "Is this why you are working so hard?"

His silent nod was answer enough and my mind ran with a million questions. Why would people hate him for what he did? He fought the King and won, and had every right to do as he pleased with his title. The werewolf world was fickle, wolves loved a blood bath.

"I didn't tell you. I am sorry. I should've done but I was worried about telling you." He apologised. "But I didn't want to ruin your Christmas plans, and cause you any discomfort whilst you are carrying."

"How long have these threats been coming in?" I wondered.

He grimaced. "Since the coronation."

I sucked in a deep breath. "Wow. Okay. So... Some things we need to work out here."

Nodding, he reached out to pull me in between his thighs. "Let's negotiate in my office."

"Our office." I scoffed, tapping his chest.

He rolled his eyes, picking me up and carrying me downstairs. "You are lucky I can postpone my work for an hour. I have a meeting at half ten, so let's figure this out, equally, okay?"

I smiled at him, nodding when he opened the office door and sat me in his spinning chair. He pulled out some paper and laid it on the desk, handing me a pen.

"Now." He commanded, pointing to the blank page. "Write your pros and your cons."

*****

Oh I missed you

Hope you saw the bonus chapter that was posted at the weekend!! It's titled adoration!

Question of the Day:
What's keeping you busy these days? Any good hobbies, thing to do?

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