Caged Heat (Black Meadow Pack) by Milly Taiden

“What? What help?”
    Sophia chuckled when he attempted a pout. Selena, noticing his pout, grabbed hold of his bottom lip and pulled. “Come on, Ry. You told me about Samira remember? I know she’s back. So I have an idea.”
    Uh-oh. Sophia looked like she was going to make it her business to get Riel and Sam together.
    He kissed Selena’s neck, and the little girl giggled. She smacked his cheeks with her chubby hands.
    Riel was afraid to ask but had to know. “Sophia I am the sexiest man in this town, I don’t need help.” He sighed when she raised one perfectly arched brow. “OK, fine. What’s your idea?”
    “A barbeque.” She grinned. “It’s really easy. We’ll have a huge barbeque, and you’ll bring her with you, and she’ll see how awesome you are with the kids. Trust me, that is a major wow factor with women.”
    Riel wondered if Julia would show up later on with her own ideas on how to get him and Sam together. Sophia glanced at the house across the yard. Sam’s gaze was fixed on him and Selena. There was softness in her eyes and a wistful smile on her face.
    “Then again we might not need to do anything after all.” Sophia stood and headed toward Sam’s yard.
    His Alpha’s mate introduced herself to Sam.
    “Hi. I’m Sophia Blackburn. Would you like to join us? I promise not to bite, although I can’t guarantee my kids won’t. They’re still going through the wanting-to-gnaw-at-everything-they-see phase.”
    Sam shook Sophia’s hand. Indecision rushed across her face. When Selena blew bubbles, Sam nodded and quickly made her way toward his yard. As she neared, she caught sight of Shane and squealed. Complete adoration covered her face.
    “They’re twins! What a handsome little boy. They are so cute.” Sam turned to Sophia. “May I hold him?”
    Sophia grinned and sat next to the playpen. “Knock yourself out. As much as I want to hold them both all day, my arms get kind of tired. He’s Shane, and the little princess in Ry’s arms is Selena.”
    Sam picked up Shane, and the little boy stared at her for a long moment.
    “Hi, Shane. I’m Samira. Can you say Sam?” She was staring at the child, fascinated. “You are the cutest little boy I have ever seen.” Shane appeared instantly won over, because he grabbed handfuls of her hair and pulled her head down. Then he sniffed her cheek and said “Sam.”
    Riel pictured Sam with their own children. She cooed and bounced Shane.
    Sophia sniffed. She raised her brows and glanced pointedly at Riel. He had no idea what she scented. Her sense of smell had developed into a lethal weapon since she’d gotten pregnant the first time around.
    “Sam, what do you do?” Sophia asked.
    Riel could see the wheels turning in her head. Sophia’s scientific mind was a dangerous thing.
    Sam sat on a lounger and bounced Shane on her lap. She caressed the little boy’s face with so much affection one would think it was her child. “I’m a teacher.”
    “And I understand you were volunteering?”
    Sam glanced at Sophia, who was smiling at Shane’s antics; the boy was tugging on Sam’s hair. “I met Ginny, and she loved speaking highly of you.”
    Sam nodded. “Yes. I was in Brazil this past year and in Somalia before that. I’m back now.”
    “To stay, I presume?”
    “Yes. I… It’s time to be home.” She sighed.
    “So tell me about Brazil. It sounds exotic.” Sophia asked with enough enthusiasm that Sam wouldn’t know she was being interviewed. Only Riel could see right through what she was doing.
    “Not really. I taught kids and adults in the Amazon. In fact, the most interesting thing that happened while I was down there was me getting bitten by a stray wolf.”
    “What?” Sophia and Riel yelled at once.
    Riel glanced down at Selena. She pouted, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    Sam continued to grin at Shane and answered. “Oh, it was nothing. I got all kinds of tests and