Zayden was relentless.
Two months from the due date, and he barely let Elena do anything. Every morning, he would be the one to fluff her pillows, bring her breakfast in bed, and even feed her when she claimed she was too lazy to lift a spoon.
"Zay, I'm not a porcelain doll," she giggled as he tucked a blanket around her legs.
"You're my porcelain doll. One that's carrying two tiny Wolfe heirs," he said, gently brushing her hair back and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You breathe too fast and I'm calling the doctor."
Elena rolled her eyes lovingly. "So dramatic."
"No," he said firmly. "Prepared."
Their visit to the doctor that day turned unexpectedly hilarious.
As Elena lay on the exam table, her top rolled slightly to reveal her baby bump, the doctor began the routine checkup.
Everything was going smoothly—until the doctor's eyes trailed over the skin above her collarbone and blinked.
A distinct blush colored Elena's cheeks. Zayden stiffened.
The doctor tilted her head slightly. "I assume these... love bites... weren't caused by the twins?"
Zayden's ears turned bright red. Elena looked like she wanted to disappear into the floor.
"Uh," she stammered, "we... tripped. On each other."
Zayden rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah. We... trip a lot."
The doctor chuckled, scribbling something down. "Well, maybe try not to 'trip' so hard next time. You're both healthy—but do take it easy."
As they left the clinic, Zayden pulled her close, whispering in her ear. "Next time, I'm leaving marks where the doctor can't see."
Elena blushed, shoving him playfully. "Behave, Mr. Wolfe."
---
That night, Elena found a trail of rose petals leading to their room. Candles flickered gently, casting a soft amber glow. The curtains were drawn open, revealing the full moon outside. Soft jazz played in the background.
Zayden stood by the bed, shirtless, waiting.
"Zay..."
"I can't stop thinking about you," he murmured, walking toward her, his fingers tracing the outline of her jaw. "Even when I'm overprotective. Even when I act ridiculous. I crave every inch of you."
Elena's lips trembled, but she kissed him instead of replying.
It started slow. A brush of lips. A whisper of skin against skin. Zayden's hands moved to her dress, peeling it away like unwrapping a gift. His mouth followed the path of his fingers, every kiss full of reverence.
He worshipped her like he'd missed her for years.
Her fingers tangled in his hair as she tugged him down with her. She guided his hands to her hips, letting him feel the slight curve of her changing body.
"You still want me like this?" she whispered.
"I've never wanted you more."
The night became an ocean of breathless moans, quiet laughter, whispered love confessions between kisses and touches. They didn't count the rounds—just the hours that slipped by in their haze of desire and love.
By the time the sun crept over the horizon, Elena rested against his chest, glowing and spent, his arms tight around her.
"I'll never stop protecting you," he murmured, kissing her temple. "You, Elio, and Liora—my whole world."