We had dinner a little later, and Henry offered Cora his shocked congratulations on her pregnancy. His eyes were a little wet with joy at the thought of his second grandchild. It was a wonderful evening, a surprising contrast to the horrible morning.

Tomorrow, we have much to consider and decide. But tonight, I just want to sleep in my mate's arms and rest, knowing we're safe.

I was tired when Sinclair and I returned to our room with little Rafe, already asleep in my arms. As Sinclair opened the door, I waved to my sister and Roger, sleeping a few doors down.

"Aw," I said, looking up at Sinclair as we entered the room. "I'm jealous. I want to get pregnant again."

"What!?" Sinclair exclaimed, laughing as he moved to the small table where we'd unpacked our clothes.

I pouted, moving to the makeshift cradle Henry had instructed Sinclair's men to build for us that afternoon. I laid my sleeping baby down on the thin, firm mattress.

"I'm just a little jealous!" I declared, laughing.

"Ella," Sinclair sighed, pulling off his shirt and coming to me. I turned to my mate, eager to wrap my arms around his neck and smile up at him. "You do realize you just gave birth to our perfect baby, and that it was an incredibly complicated and dramatic pregnancy. Are you really so eager to be pregnant again?"

"No," I said, grinning. "That's not what I meant. I don't want to be pregnant right now, not yet. I just want to get pregnant!"

"Okay," Sinclair replied, laughing and smiling so broadly it crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Please explain the difference between the terms."

"I just think it would be nice," I said softly, shrugging, "to not be trying, and then one day—poof!—surprise!" I looked into his eyes, still smiling. "Suddenly pregnant!"

"Hmm," he said, stroking my hair. "And why does that sound so appealing?"

"Because," I continued, resting my face against his chest, "you know I love everything about our story. We never would have met, or had our baby, if we hadn't been thrown into that situation. But Rafe's conception was stressful. I had to spend so much money and just hope it worked. And frankly, the idea of my sister implanting your defrosted sperm while you were halfway across the world"

He laughed, nodding. "Yes," he agreed. "A little less romantic and intimate than it could be."

"Precisely," I said. "Roger and Corait's been complicated, but there's something beautiful about them making their baby because they love each other so much."

I felt Sinclair's knuckles graze my face and looked up at him.

"I'll give you as many children as you want, Ella," he murmured softly, "and they will all be conceived in love. Rafe too."

"I know," I said, smiling. "I'm excited. It will happen one day." A memory flashed—the prophecy the priests showed me, of our family of four. Could that really be possible? The eldest child in the vision was a dark-haired boy, just like Rafe. Would the rest come true?

"I mean," Sinclair said, interrupting, sliding his hands down my back to my buttocks. "If you're that eager to get pregnant, I'm right here, and there's a bed—I'm happy to oblige."

I laughed, biting my lip as I pressed closer. "Let's wait a little before thinking about a second child," I said quietly. "Until all of this"—I waved a hand to encompass the bunker—"is sorted. Is that alright?"

"Yes, Ella," Sinclair said, picking me up in his arms. I laughed, wrapping my legs around his waist. "You control the timeline. In the meantime," he growled playfully, "we'll justpractice."

"Good," I murmured against his lips. Enough time had passed. I could take my mate to bed anytime. But then I paused, curious. "Dominic, what do wolves use for birth control?"

"Self-restraint," he murmured, carrying me to the bed and sitting down hard, taking me with him. He rolled, and I laughed as he pressed me against the mattress, kissing my neck. "We're horrible at it," he added, "that's why there are legions of wolf babies out there"

I laughed and leaned back, enjoying his touch. "But really, love," I asked, "if we wait for another child, how do we make sure that happens? Because we're not going to be able to practice abstinence. If that's the only solution, we'll pop out a kid every six months."

Sinclair laughed and sat up, pulling me with him, tugging my shirt over my head and looking hungrily at my torso. He quickly unsnapped my bra, tossing it aside before laying me back down. "There are herbs," he informed me, kissing my stomach and holding my breast. "But you won't need them for a while. Wolf bodies are more diligent than humans about ensuring time between pups. It's unlikely you'll ovulate while breastfeeding."

"Oh," I said, surprised.

"Mmmhmm," he said, tugging at my pants. "Our pups are rare. The female wolf body is designed to ensure the pup gets all the nutrients it needs before making a new one. You don't have to worry about it for a while, but we can talk to Cora if you want—"

"Later," I murmured, watching as he slid my pants and underwear down. I moaned as Sinclair kissed me. "Let's worry about all of thatlater" I whispered.

My mate murmured his agreement and got to work.