Chapter 119

Asher’s POV

I heaved little Theo up the stairs and into my room, finally clicking the door shut behind us and twisting the deadbolt. Melanie’s wolf scratched lightly at the other side, a silent reminder that my ever-watchful mate was waiting out there, probably amused that I’d dared to shut her—or at least her animal form—out of Daddy-Son time. I grinned at the lock. No escape for the kid while I got changed.

“Sorry, babe,” I whispered through the door, hoping she could feel the tease. Honestly, I’d showered last night and still smelled like minty freshness, so I figured a quick costume change into clean clothes was enough. Showering again with a tiny electric tornado of fur at my heels sounded like an invitation to chaos—and I’d rather snack on chocolate milk in peace later.

I set Theo down and immediately he morphed into a fluffy, panting wolf pup. His ears perked up; tail wagged with the force of a toddler on espresso. He sniffed my nightstand curiously,