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

open door and glanced in. This room was the smallest of the three and barely had enough room for the twin bed and crib against the wall. Elisapie ran to the bed. Margot put Cybille in the crib. “Well, this is a nice room and the closest to Mathis and mine, so if you need anything we are only a short distance away.”
    Cybille’s bag sat next to the crib where Mathis must have left it. She reached inside for a pair of pajamas and began to change the toddler. “Go ahead and change, honey,” Margot told Elisapie.
    “I can’t. I don’t have any pajamas.” The child promptly burst into tears.
    Margot hurried over and hugged the little girl before sitting on the bed with the child in her lap. She rocked Elisapie. “It’s okay, honey. I promise we will get you some pajamas tomorrow. Remember I told Nuvuk we would get him a toothbrush? We can get things for all of you.”
    “Hey, everything okay in here?” Mathis asked from the door.
    “Could you see if the twins have something Elisapie can borrow to sleep in?” Margot asked as the little girl began to quiet. How could parents send their child away with nothing except the clothes on her back?
    “Of course, I’ll be back in a jiffy,” Mathis said winking at Elisapie.
    Margot used the corner of her shirt to wipe the girls face. Then she lifted off the little shirt the girl wore. “Me do it,” the child complained.
    “Okay, you finish getting undressed and I’ll help Cybille.” Margot crossed to the crib and finished getting the toddler ready for bed.
    Mathis walked in with a purple shirt. “It’s not much, but we can go shopping tomorrow.” He put it over Elisapie’s head. “Hey, where’d she go?” The little girl giggled and Mathis pulled the shirt down. “Oh, there she is.” He picked her up. “Now that everyone is in their sleeping attire, let’s have a story before bed.”
    Margot picked up Cybille and followed Mathis from the room. He gathered all the children in the twins’ room before sitting on one of the beds. Margot sat on the other bed with Cybille in her lap. Ila and Nuvuk joined her, while Tikaani and Ukiuk joined Mathis and Elisapie.
    “Once upon a time, a huge amarok crossed the ice and came to a frozen island. On the island he found a young woman. She was very cold. So the amarok built her a snow den and then wrapped himself around the girl to keep her warm…” Mathis began.
    Margot listened almost as mesmerized as the children while her mate wove a story of survival and self-sacrifice turning to love. Susan and Ujarak joined them leaning against the door frame. Cybille began to rub at her eyes and snuggled a little closer. Margot patted her gently encouraging the toddler to relax. Nuvuk moved to lay on his stomach, while Ila leaned against her. Ukiuk laid her head in her brother’s lap, while Tikaani petted her hair. Elisapie yawned, fighting the need to sleep.
    “When the amarok realized that Arnaq was his mate, he was filled with joy. Never again would he be alone in the world…” Mathis continued.
    Nuvuk sighed deeply, slipping into sleep. Ila laid her head on Margot’s knee and blinked, her eyes heavy. Tikaani leaned against Mathis, while Ukiuk breathed deeply.
    “The children were strong and their pack was successful at the hunt. The amarok counted his many blessings and thanked the goddess he had found Arnaq.” Mathis finished the story, smiling at Margot.
    Susan slipped into the room taking Cybille, while Ujarak lifted Nuvuk in his arms. Margot slipped from the bed and maneuvered Ila under the covers. Susan hurried back for Elisapie and Mathis stood. Ujarak helped a sleepy Tikaani from the bed.
    “Mathis,” the boy said in a sleepy whisper. “Will you tell us a story again tomorrow?”
    “Sure, now go to bed, sleepy head.” Mathis ruffled the boy’s hair and then put Ukiuk under the covers.
    Margot stood by the door as Mathis turned off the light. Ujarak and Susan met them in the hall and they quickly tiptoed