A Cold Wind Blows (Forgotten series, #3)

Chapter 13: Part 2

"Eli." It was a low tone and voice that had him freezing and the giggles evaporating. "We will not behave as such. Put your snow pants on." It was a low but firm order and I was vaguely aware that my father had used the same tone on me when I was young. It was a tone that demanded obedience and respect. I was rather pleased that it worked on the little energy ball. He looked up at me, his face crumpling into a pout but I ignored it as I crouched down and tugged the pants back up.

"We will be well behaved and we will listen." I made eye contact with him and he nodded slowly.

"Ewi wisten." His bottom lip trembled as I put his toque on, pulling it over his ears so they wouldn't get cold.

"Yes, Eli will listen." I gave him a stern look as I did the zipper up on his jacket.

"Ewi saw'ry." His chin quivered as he reached out and hugged me as best as he could. I pulled him close and held him for a moment. My wolf was content with the actions. She didn't wish for them to go without us but we knew they needed too. Nina needed to stay where it was warm. "You mad?" He sniffled as I let him go and I shook my head slowly.

"No. I am not mad." I adjusted his toque once more before cupping his chubby face. "I am disappointed when you choose not to listen."

"Ewi wisten. 'Omise." He nodded and I pressed a kiss to his forehead, allowing my marking scent to saturate his skin even further. I liked how they all smelled like me, it put me and my wolf at ease. The lower shifters would smell the power of our scent and leave them alone. We could mask our power, hide it all we wanted but out scent never lied. It was a subtle warning that most took in subconsciously but it worked all the same.

"Go wait by the door." I gently pushed him away before I grabbed Graham by his jacket sleeve and pulled him closer. I ignored his slight protests as I did up his jacket and tugged a toque onto his head.

"I don't wanna toque on." He stuck his bottom lip out and I wanted to roll my eyes at his rather blatant dramatics but I refrained.

"It is cold out and you will wear it." He would not be getting sick or frostbitten on my watch. I would not allow it. His pout deepened and I ignored it as I straightened his jacket out. Once I was satisfied he was dressed appropriately, I pointed to the front door where Eli was sitting on the floor, staring at his fingers that he appeared to be counting on. "Go wait by the door." He looked like he wanted to say something but I held up a finger and gave him the same stern look I gave Eli. He let out a dramatic huff and walked away, his shoulders tense with his pouting. I felt my mouth twitch as my wolf huffed her amusement out.

I stood up ignoring how my knees clicked with the movement. Caden walked over and grabbed my pocket. I looked down at him, he appeared to be covered well and I turned my gaze to Lander.

"When you are done with the ceremony, send one of the helpers here to alert me so I can bring Nina to the bath house." There was no need for them to walk all the way back to the house and then have me walk them back to the compound. I would meet them there and then we could come back to the house together. It would also give me time to clean the small house.

"Okay." He nodded, scuffing his foot against the worn floorboards and I looked at him for a moment. He looked rather morose and I studied him for a moment. With the three youngest it was easy to tell what they wanted for comfort but Lander was more difficult to read.

"Do you require a-" I stopped myself so I could figure out the right word to use. "A hug?" He gave me a small look of surprise before shaking his head.

"I'm okay." His shoulders still carried a heavy burden, I could see the weight of it pressing down on him. My wolf and I didn't believe for a moment that he was simply okay.