Free The Gift of My Mate (Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Book 9) by Caryn Moya Block

the air from the upstairs bedrooms.
    “Uh oh, sounds like the kids are getting wound up,” Ujarak said.
    “We’ll take care of it. Come on, Cybille. Let’s see what your new siblings are up to.” Margot and Susan hurried up the stairs.
    “Sounds like they’re going to be a handful. I don’t envy you taking on six abandoned children,” Jared said.
    “We’ll make it work. Show me where the basement is. I want to see if we can install a safe room.”
    “It’s this door, under the stairs.” Jared opened the door and pulled the chain on the outdated light fixture. “I don’t think I’ve ever been down there. Let’s see what we can do about a safe room.”
     
    §
     
    Margot hurried up the stairs, followed by Susan. The laughter and screaming came from the back. She rushed in the room to find Tikaani and his twin sisters in the middle of a pillow fight. Nuvuk stood to one side laughing, while Elisapie jumped up and down clapping her hands. There were two twin beds in the room, stacked to make bunk beds.
    “I see you found the pillows,” Margot said.
    Tikaani and his sisters dropped the pillows as if they’d been struck. All of the children stared up at her, fear in their eyes.
    “It was my fault,” Tikaani said, stepping in front of his sisters. “I started it.”
    “I’m not angry with you, Tikaani. It is a little late to be getting wound up. Is this the boys’ room?”
    Tikaani nodded, his stance wary. Margot wanted to gather them all up and hug them. What happened in their lives that they were so afraid? Did their parent’s abuse them because they were amarok?
    “Why don’t you boys get in your pajamas and brush your teeth, while I see the other rooms.”
    “I don’t have a toothbrush,” Nuvuk said in a whisper.
    “That’s okay, use your finger. Like this,” Susan said showing the boys. Tikaani laughed at her antics and everyone seemed to relax.
    “We can get everyone a new toothbrush tomorrow and anything else you might need. Now, Ukiuk and Ila, which room have you chosen?” Margot asked.
    The twins ran from the room. Margot reached for Elisapie’s hand. “We’ll look at your room next.” Then she followed the sound of soft giggles to the next bedroom. This one was a little larger with two twin beds, separated by a small nightstand. Ila put her pillow back on the bed when Margot entered. “This is lovely, you girls were smart to take the room with separate beds.”
    “Uki wanted the bunk beds, but Tikaani told her no. I was glad, I like my bed on the floor,” Ila confessed.
    Margot smiled. That was the most Ila had said since they met her. “I agree with you, Ila. This room is nice, don’t you think so Ukiuk?”
    “I want this bed,” Ukiuk said climbing on one of the mattresses.
    “Is that okay with you, Ila?” Margot asked.
    Ila nodded and mirrored her sister’s action.. “Don’t forget to get in your pajamas and brush your teeth,” Margot said.
    “Then you girls are going to need this,” Mathis said carrying in their suitcase and placing it on Ukiuk’s bed. “Give me Tikaani’s pj’s and I’ll take them to him.”
    Ukiuk pressed the buttons to open the case and pushed the lid back. She handed Mathis a pair of blue pajamas with trucks on them and a blue toothbrush. He took the items and rubbed a hand down the little girls black hair. “When everyone is ready for bed, we’ll have story time. Hurry up and change.” Mathis winked at Margot before heading to the boys’ room. She heard him speaking softly to Susan and the boys. He was so good with the children, and her too, when she thought about it. Elisapie tugged on her hand. “My room?” she asked.
    “Can you girls get changed while I see to Elisapie and Cybille? I’ll be back in a few minutes to check on you.” Both girls nodded and reached into the suitcase for the pink pajamas.
    Margot led Elisapie to the doorway. “Shall we see where your room is?” The four year old giggled. Margot walked to the next