BirthStone by Sydney Addae Page A

nodded against his chest, the feel of
his cotton shirt warm against her skin. “Whatever you need from me,
let me know.”
    “Keep my pups safe.” He took her arms in his
hands and pushed her backward. Their gazes connected and she read
his intent. “If anyone breaks through security and comes after you
or the children, take whatever you need from me and kill them.” He
waited a moment. “Do you understand?”
    She nodded. “Yeah. I heard you.”
    He shook her slightly. “I asked if you
understood.”
    “Silas, I’m not simple-minded. I heard and
understood what you had to say. Now listen to me.” She waited a
moment for his attention to shift to her eyes. “If someone breaches
security and comes after me or my kids, I will kill them. You
obviously don’t know me well if you thought for a moment I would do
otherwise. But here’s where you got it twisted. I will kill them if
they come after you as well.” She held up her hand to stop him from
speaking. “Don’t waste your breath telling me to do or think
anything differently, because I’m not going to change my mind, you
can take that to the bank.”
    He dropped his hands and took a step back.
They continued to look intently at one another. He scowled and she
gazed at him until he threw his hands up. “I need you safe.”
    “Likewise.”
    His head snapped up, he opened his mouth and
then snapped it shut. “Jasmine.” His tone held a plea.
    “I love you, Silas. Don’t ask or expect me
to accept something happening to you without doing something to
help, I can’t do that anymore than you could.” She read the
resignation in his eyes and released a breath. Her mate could be
stubborn but he was realistic.
    He snagged her around the waist, their
bodies slapped together when he pulled her close. “Be careful, try
not to get hurt. You are my barometer for control. If you get hurt,
I will lose it and level this place,” he whispered next to her
ear.
    She shivered hearing the ring of truth in
his words. Many would die if he lost control, she would need to be
extra careful. Damn, this was the worst time to lose control of her
emotions. She opened her mouth to tell him about her energy surges
and then changed her mind. He had a lot on his plate. She would
deal with this.
    “I will have my children with me; you know I
don’t play when it comes to family. You never have to worry about
that.” She gazed up into his dark green eyes. “With everything that
is within me, I will not allow my family to die without a fight.
Believe that.” As she spoke, a gentle breeze touched the nape of
her neck.
    “Your eyes changed.” He brushed his thumb
across her bottom lip.
    “Huh?”
    “When you made that vow, there was a glow
behind your eyes. They became translucent, like liquid gold.”
    Her brow rose. “Really?” She pretended a
nonchalance she didn’t feel.
    His gaze went from thoughtful to resigned as
he placed a kiss on her lips. “Yes. I pity any fool who attempts to
come after my mate or pups. I have no doubt you will handle them
well. Thank you, love.” He took her lips and deepened the kiss.
    Her heart jumped and then raced as she sank
into his embrace. Familiar heat flared between them as he lifted
her in his arms. She laid her palm flat against the hard plane of
his chest as he carried her to their bed. Inhaling, her senses were
inundated with the scent that was all him, masculinity personified.
If she could bottle his unique fragrance, men would pay a mate’s
ransom for an ounce of the potent cologne. Her tongue flicked into
the crook of his neck.
    “Umm…” he moaned, depositing her on the
mattress, then falling on top of her. “You are my mate, it is
impossible for you to be second in my mind, we are merged into one.
You are the beat of my heart and I am sorry you felt neglected. I
will spend all night and tomorrow if necessary to correct my
mistake. No one is more important than you, Jasmine. “He gazed into
her eyes, holding her captive.