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Malachi sently “Come, little dhaht over a baby like dogs with a bone?” He sifts his hands through enetics and powers matter little”

So leaks out of me I press my forehead to his chest and let him hold me for a few beats “I want this to work”

“I know It will”

There’s plenty for me to fear I should focus on what happens to out a future with several children, with a family that’s built on love and respect instead of fear and threats I have a chance at that future with Malachi and Rylan and Wolf We just have to survive long enough to take it

“Okay” I lift my head “Okay Thank you”

“I love you” He says softly, as if it’s a simple truth and not one that rocks me every time those three little words leave his lips “I love them, too We are a unit, Mina All four of us I know this hasn’t been an easy journey and it’s not likely to get easier, but ill prevail” His hold on htens before he seems to force himself to relax “We will cut down anyone who threatens our future Anyone”

With that kind of proo up ontomorroith my father”

I half-expect a night that feels like our last night in this world, but everyone is sober and distracted Malachi keeps his arms aroundas we settle down for the night They’re all too wired to sleep, but I can feel it pulling attheir due

“You need to eat”

It takes ry” It’s not strictly true My sto how Malachi’s reacted to that fact so far, I don’t think he’ll welcome the news Not to ain What if I lose control? Our plan is too carefully balanced to have one of the men out of commission because I went too far and drained too much

“Little dhaoing on, but that doesn’t o without”