The word exploded from six tiny throats at once.
"MAMA!"
The snakelings moved like a living wave—scales flashing, limbs scrambling, tiny claws digging into dirt and bark as they launched toward him.
Jade dropped from the tree he'd been climbing, landing in a perfect roll and sprinting straight at Alex's legs. Siddy launched himself from his branch like a green missile, tail swirling like a tornado that ended in a hard thud against Alex's chest. Sterling and River hit him at the same time from opposite sides, wrapping around his thighs like living vines. Ripple and Onyx came last, the smaller ones burrowing between their siblings until all six were piled against him in a writhing, sobbing, scale-covered heap.
Alex's knees buckled under the sheer weight of relief and love. He went down hard, landing on his ass in the grass, arms already full of his children.
"I've got you," he whispered, voice cracking. "I've got all of you. I'm here. I'm safe."
