Page 30

A smile touches my lips as I look over at Rivers sleeping form. Hes passed out on the bed, his hair still plastered to his forehead and cheeks still flushed from the effort he just endured. Its only been a few hours, but as I look down at the tiny bundle in my arms, I know Id do anything for this pup.

I slowly rock back and forth in the rocking chair beside the bed, looking down at this tiny little face with a full heart.

Hes beautiful. Kyle’s soft whisper rolls through me as he looks down at our son with a wide smile.

He is. I swallow hard, nodding slowly.

Do you think hell be an alpha?

Whether he is or isn’t, hes perfect. Frankie leans over my shoulder and lays a gentle hand on the babys head. Hes ours.

I cant believe were parents. I shake my head slowly, still trying to comprehend how our life is about to change in the best possible way.

Me neither. Kyle chuckles softly. But Im glad we are.

Theres no confusion between the three of us. The pup is all of ours. Just like River is all of ours. And we all want nothing more than to ensure theyre both loved and protected.

The name River chose for our son is one that means a lot to him. It’s a way to honor his mother and to remind himself of how far hes come.

Cameron.

Its a strong name. A powerful name. And I know that no matter what happens, this pup will grow up to be a strong and capable wolf.

I love you, I whisper, looking at my mates in turn. All of you.

Here. Frankie reaches out and lifts baby Cameron from my arms. I barely felt his weight while I was holding him, but now that my arms are empty, I realize I was starting to cramp up a little. Youve been holding him for hours. Frankie presses a kiss to his head then carries the baby over to the crib that Kyle made and carefully places him inside.

River stirs in his sleep and lifts his head to look around. Wheres the baby? His voice is still hoarse from screaming through labor. Our poor midwife might have lost some hearing from the extreme noise.

In the crib, sweetheart. Frankie just put him down.

Oh, okay. River sighs, relaxing slightly.

Kyle slides into bed alongside River and curls his arms around him protectively. How are you feeling? He kisses the top of Rivers head.

Tired. River yawns right on cue. But happy.

Good. Kyle inhales his hair, soaking in his delicious scent. Im glad.

Me too. River closes his eyes.

I move to the other side of the bed and climb in alongside River. Frankie follows suit, curling up behind me and wrapping his arms around me. The four of us snuggle tightly together, enjoying the quiet warmth and closeness.

I love you, guys. River looks over at each of us. So much.

We love you too. I kiss his cheek.

So much. Frankie reaches for his hand and pulls it over for a kiss.

Always. Kyle kisses River again, more thoroughly this time.

It feels like an eternity since we were vagabonds, nomads, wandering from place to place and running from a past we didnt want to remember. Back then, it felt like wed never stop running. Nothing would ever change. Wed keep traveling until we dropped dead on our feet.

But now, as I look at my mates and our newborn pup, I know that were finally home.

This is where we belong.

And nothing will ever tear us apart.

Do you guys ever wonder what mightve happened if wed never met? River asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

I try not to think about things like that, Kyle says before kissing Rivers forehead. All I know is that I wouldnt be anywhere near as happy as I am right this moment. And I wouldnt trade it for anything in the world.

Me neither. I lean my head against his. Besides, before we met you, I pretty much lived in the backseat of the station wagon 24/7. It wasnt exactly a riveting existence.

You could have sat up front if you wanted, Frankie says, rolling his eyes. I always thought you preferred it back there.

I did. If I sat up front, Id have to help navigate, and itd be my fault if we got lost. I chuckle even though it’s only half true. But it still wasnt exactly the most engaging life. We were just...existing. Surviving. We werent really living.

River glances over at the crib and tries to stifle a yawn. I feel like Ive been sleeping forever. I want to get up and do something.

You just gave birth. Kyle places his hand on his thigh, keeping him from getting up. You need to rest.

I know. River sighs. But Im restless. I want to get up and walk around. Or run or something.

You cant run. I roll my eyes, hoping he’s joking. Youre still recovering.

I know. River’s lower lip pops out, pouting slightly.

How about this? Frankie says, sitting up slightly. As soon as youve healed up a bit, well go for a run. All four of us. Well let our wolves out and well just...run. Together.

That sounds fun. River smiles lazily at him, already getting drowsy. Id like that.

Frankie reaches over and scratches the top of his head. Its a date.

Kyle pulls River closer. For now, though, you need to rest.

River nods but looks up at us. Promise me, no matter what happens, we wont wind up like my parents. We wont let ourselves get so caught up in the day-to-day that we forget to love each other. We wont let our responsibilities get in the way of our relationship. We wont let our work consume us until were nothing but shells of our former selves. Promise me well always be honest with each other. Well always talk about our problems instead of letting them fester. Well always put each other first. Well always put our family first.

Forever, we all say together.

And we mean it more than anything. Ever.

Oliver is a rarity in the shifter world. A lone omega. Leaving his pack isnt a decision he regrets because it was necessary. But there are times when he begins to doubt his judgment.

Especially when he starts to notice the same group of alphas showing up wherever he goes.

Theyre all gorgeous and his wolf is certainly interested, but his rational brain is sending up alarm bells. Who are they? Why are they following him? And why cant he seem to keep his eyes off them?