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Cosmo blinked, all his excitement disappearing as if Hawk had blown out a candle.

He didn’t know.

He just didn’t know, and this wasn’t what he wanted to start worrying about. They were supposed to be happy right now. They were supposed to be together and celebrating.

He didn’t feel like celebrating anymore. “I’m going to go downstairs and make cookies, I think. Maybe we can watch a movie later. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

He threw on a pair of sweatpants and a heavy sweatshirt, then padded downstairs as Hawk just stared at him like he was insane.

Cosmo sniffled, trying really hard not to simply burst into tears like an idiot.

He’d heard all these stories about how excited everyone had been when they found out that they were having babies—All of his friends from the Estes clan, the boss. Gavin, the bastard, had been over the moon even when things had been insane, when they were shifting over across the veil.

And then here he was, having a baby that he was possibly condemning to being trapped in this house forever.

Both Corbin and Cullen came running to him as soon as he hit the kitchen. “What’s the matter?” they asked in unison.

“I don’t think I wanna have a baby,” he whispered.

“I thought you were excited?” Cullen said.

“What did Mother do?” Corbin asked.

“Nothing. Nothing, Hawk, just—What if he never gets to leave? The baby, I mean. What if he’s stuck in here forever? Hewon’t be able to find a mate; he won’t be able to play with other kids; he won’t be able to go outside in the sunshine. I don’t want to have a baby. I hadn’t even thought about that. I don’t know what to do.”

Both of his brothers stared at him, obviously stunned.

Then Corbin squeezed his hand. “Well, you don’t know that that’s gonna happen.”

“Great, but I don’t know that it isn’t. And that’s my job—to think of all these things—and I didn’t.

Corbin raised a green brow. “Okay, but doesn’t that mean there’s nothing weird and portentous about it? I mean, we can go all over. Why can’t he?”

“Because he’s half Hawk’s?”

“But he’s also half yours.” Cullen grabbed his hands. “It will be okay.”

Mate?Hawk’s mental voice was very careful.May I join you?

Of course.He sniffled and dried his cheeks. “Do I look okay?”

“Perfect.” Cullen led him over to the sofa and wrapped up with him while Corbin got butter out, muttering about kicking Hawk’s ass.

Hawk moved into the room, super quiet and shadowlike for such a big guy. He glided to a stop in front of the couch.

“I’m sorry, love,” he said in a low voice. “I did not mean to upset you. There’s nothing in my heart but joy.” And Hawk opened up his mind and let Cosmo see the jumble of emotions there: joy, awe, love. Need.

All for him.

He melted, but he was still going to make Hawk wait for forgiveness. Just a little.

“You made me very sad, Hawk.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I was a strategist once. A dragon who had to worry about dragon slayers. I think of all of theworst-case scenarios first so I can get them out of my system.” That came with a wry twist of Hawk’s lips.

“Well, that sounds awful,” Cullen said. “Having to worry about people coming looking for you just to kill you.”

“It was never pleasant.” Hawk shrugged. “Times did change, at least.”