Roman’s POV

The next morning, after getting the rest she needed, Eira stepped out of the room and asked, "Where are the others?"

Only Kael and I were there. Kael was busy with the baby, making sure she stayed comfortable and undisturbed. These days, he looked like a man entirely devoted to his home, skilled in caring for both his mate and daughter.

"They’re having some fun outside," I told her. "You might want to see it."

"Fun?" she repeated, curiosity rising as she moved toward the side house.

"Not there. Upstairs," I said, guiding her toward the upper floor where we had a large swimming area.

Kael followed behind us, carrying sleeping Kaya.

When we reached the top, the sight before us made her pause.

Raven was in the pool, playing with Rafe and Lucian, while Jason sat at the side, watching them. It wasn’t just a pool. There were sliders built into it.

Raven climbed up and slid down into the water, Rafe stayed close to guide him, while Lucian waited in the water, ready to catch him if needed.

Rafe had been working on building these sliders for Raven, the promise he had made to Raven that they will have more fun.

Their loud voices, laughter, and teasing filled the space. Rafe and Lucian threw occasional curses at each other, but they kept their words in check around Raven.

Eira stood still, clearly taken aback. But then her expression softened.

Raven was laughing freely, his wide smile bright and unrestrained, showing his happiness.

"No sliding now. Go up and jump straight into the water," Lucian instructed.

Without hesitation, Raven climbed the metal stairs and stepped onto the diving board. Then he jumped.

Eira gasped. "Isn’t he scared?"

"He’s an Alpha’s child," I replied. "What did you expect? We were the same at his age. We used to jump into the river without thinking twice."

We moved closer to the poolside.

"Caldwell, get in," Rafe called out.

"No. I’m fine. You enjoy," she said, settling onto a sun lounger.

Lucian climbed out of the pool and walked toward her. "Come on."

"I don’t—"

Before she could finish, he had already lifted her into his arms.

"I don’t know how to swim. I’ll drown," she exclaimed. "And, I don’t have swimming clothes."

"You don’t need clothes to get into the pool," Lucian said with a smirk. "You need to take them off instead."

She immediately crossed her arms over her chest. "Don’t even think about it. Raven is here."

Lucian chuckled but listened. He carried her into the pool as she was, her loose knee-length white cotton dress soaking in the water.

"It’s not cold," she said, surprised the moment she felt the water.

"We maintained the temperature," Lucian said, guiding her into the water.

The moment he let go, she lost her balance and clutched onto him instantly, as if holding on for dear life. Lucian chuckled softly. "You won’t drown. I’m here."

She let out a small hum and turned to look at Raven, who swam toward her with ease.

"Your mommy is scared," Rafe remarked. "You should teach her how to swim."

Raven looked at her, as if encouraging her to try.

"I will... later," she said gently. "I’ll get out in a while. You go enjoy."

Raven nodded and swam away.

Lucian leaned closer to her and murmured in her ear, "You’re not getting out anytime soon."

She turned to him with a warning look. "Don’t even think about it."

"I already have," he replied, his smirk deepening as he guided her back toward the pool wall.

"Lucian, Raven is here. If you do anything, I won’t talk to you again," she said under her breath.

Even from a distance, we could hear them clearly.

"He can’t see you," Lucian replied, his body shielding her completely from view.

"Kaya will wake up... she..."

"She’s sleeping," he said calmly. "She won’t wake up so soon."

Just then, Rafe stepped out of the pool. "You’re tired, Raven. We’re done for now. Let’s go downstairs and get cleaned up."

Raven followed him obediently.

"Hey Jason, order pizza and cold drinks," Rafe added as he carried Raven in his arms and walked off.

Jason nodded and turned to Kael. "Give her to me."

"I’m coming downstairs as well," Kael said, standing up.

They left together.

Eira watched them go, realization dawning on her face. She was being left alone with a wolf who clearly had no intention of letting her go.

She looked at Lucian. "Don’t overdo it. I haven’t... since I gave birth..."

Lucian’s gaze lingered on her. "I could smell Kael on you a few days ago. Do you think no one noticed?"

She fell silent.

His hands brushed her hair, his thumb caressed her moist lips, "I almost thought to barge in the room that night and join you two, but had to stop thinking your recently recovered condition. Both of us together would be a hell for you."

She clearly flinched and shivered at the thought.

I knelt at the edge of the poor where Eira was corner against the wall.

She sensed my presence and looked at me.

I leaned down, held the back of her neck, kissed her. "You will like it with him in the pool," I murmured against her lips, once I let go of delicious lips. "Just enjoy yourself."

She didn’t respond, but her face had turned flushed.

"You two take your time," I said, turning away from her.

"Not joining us?" Lucian asked, I could see his hands already moving to her dress, not to remove it but to tear it apart.

My eyes darkened at the thought, but I held back. "I’ll take my chance later now she is fine. You enjoy," I said, leaving them alone.

I wanted to stay back, to enjoy fucking her but Lucian had been waiting for his moment. And more importantly, I needed to be there with Rafe.

He was about to get something important out of Raven.