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Riley quickly cleared the baby's airways before placing him on Zack's chest. "Here you go, Daddy. Meet your son."

Zack's arms came up instinctively to cradle the newborn, his tears flowing freely as he gazed down at the perfect little face. "Hi there," he whispered. "We've been waiting for you."

The baby's eyes blinked open—deep brown like Victor's—and seemed to focus on Zack's face for a moment before closing again, his tiny fists waving in the air.

"He's perfect," Mo breathed, reaching out to stroke the baby's downy, dark hair with trembling fingers. "Absolutely perfect."

“What are we calling him?” Mo asked.

Zack shook his head. “No idea.” It had happened so quickly they’d never given a thought to names.

“Just a thought,” Victor said. “Neither Mo nor I want him to have any association with our dads, but what about yours?”

“Christopher?” Zack asked.

“It suits him,” Mo declared, so Christopher it was.

Epilogue - Six weeks later

Justabouteveryonewassitting in the yard, even Victor’s wolves, or technically Alex’s, but Victor knew Alex wasn’t bothered. He was interested and had been involved as much as he could, but today was his eighteenth birthday party and many of them had a different sort of celebration to have tonight.

Mo cuddled Christopher after feeding him his bottle. He was nervous and excited and could feel his mates trying to soothe him through their bond. His best form of being soothed—not counting being in the middle of a naked body sandwich—was cuddling their son, so that was what he was doing. He was getting a wolf today, thanks to Luke, and would be shifting for the first time.

Jacob was also there because he too was getting a wolf. He hadn’t spent too much time downstairs, as being cooped up in one room with barely anyone talking to him for much of his life had triggered severe anxiety when he ventured out. He was getting better though, and even though Luke had offered to visit him on his own, without an audience, Jacob wanted this very much.

Jacob had been told he was a shifter by Pearson repeatedly because his mother was one. Unfortunately, Jacob hadn’t gotten the shifter gene, and an inexperienced Noah had no idea he could only smell his half-brother, not a shifter. Victor and Daniel had traced every so-called nurse Jacob had, and had found the first one, who had confirmed Jacob had actually been born in that house, but because his mom had been trapped for months by Pearson after he got her pregnant, she’d tried escaping the only time he’d relaxed security, which was during labor.

She’d fought his men and shifted in the middle of labor, harming Jacob, and because he wasn’t a shifter baby, the damage had been irreparable.

Lucas could give Jacob a wolf. The problem, even if Jacob shifted successfully, they had no idea if his legs would work in that form. They couldn’t use Martin as an example because he’d received his injury as an adult. He might run free in his wolf form, but as a human, he still limped.

Noah had been a mess when they'd found out, and Jacob had told him to stop crying because none of it was his fault either, and "at least I'm alive." That simple statement had made Alex growl because he considered Jacob pack, and the look he'd given Victor had said it all.

"You ready?" Luke asked, approaching where Mo sat with the baby. His smile was gentle, reassuring.

Mo nodded, handing Christopher to his grandfather, who cradled him against his chest. "As I'll ever be."

Victor helped Mo to his feet, his hand lingering on the small of Mo's back. "Remember what we discussed. Don't fight it. Let the wolf's instincts guide you."

"And don't be afraid," Zack added softly. "We'll be right here waiting for you."

Mo kissed them both before following Luke to the clearing they'd prepared at the edge of the property. The area was enclosed by trees, giving them privacy for what was about to happen. Several of Victor's—Alex's—wolves had already formed a protective perimeter, ensuring no one would stumble upon them.

Jacob was already there, sitting in his wheelchair with Noah and Alex behind him, hands resting supportively on his shoulders. The young man's face was a mixture of fear and hope that made Mo's heart ache.

Mo gave Jacob a reassuring smile. "Nervous?" he asked, crouching beside the wheelchair.

"Terrified," Jacob admitted with a shaky laugh. "But in a good way, I think."

Luke approached them, his expression serene despite the enormity of what they were about to attempt. "We'll start with Jacob," he said. "Since this is a first-time shift for both of you, I want to give each my full attention."

Mo nodded and stepped back, joining Victor and Zack, who had followed at a respectful distance.

"Remember," Luke said to Jacob, "it’s going to feel strange sharing your mind, but don’t forget, your wolf only wants what is best for you."

Jacob nodded and looked up. “Like Noah and Alex.” Noah squeezed his shoulder gently.

"What if—" Jacob started, then swallowed hard. "What if I still can't walk? As a wolf, I mean."