Page 69 of Ascendant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #6)

Ten days later, New Mexico

Nick watched the dry desert landscape from the passenger window as he and Gray headed home.

They’d gone to Albuquerque to see Walter before he began the next phase of his cancer treatment.

He and Tayen had been in good spirits, hopeful that the CAR T-cell therapy would be successful.

The process would take several weeks while the medical team monitored Walter’s body for side effects or other problems.

Since there were no cancer treatment centers or Oncologists near their home in Arizona, Walter and Tayen would remain in Albuquerque until he was stable. They would have preferred to go home, of course, but Gray’s mother was keeping an eye on their house and still came for regular visits.

Nick had been nervous about seeing the woman again, given their uncomfortable first meeting some weeks ago.

He’d been surprised to discover that she had turned a corner in accepting him and Gray as a couple.

He didn’t know if that was due to Sergio’s intervention or if she simply came to terms with how things really were.

Nick’s impression was that her love for Gray, and the desire to be part of his life, had resulted in a change of heart.

Nick noticed how quiet Gray had been since they got on the road, and spending the next three hours in silence didn’t sound very appealing.

“Hey, sexy man! You’re thinking awfully deep thoughts over there.”

Nick’s warm hand on Gray’s thigh provoked an interested growl and a smile.

“Sorry. I’m worried about my grandfather and I don’t know what to think about my mother.

I would have said something if she had been rude to you, but she actually seemed happy to see us.

I was tempted to tell her about our plan to ask your “first cousin” to be our surrogate, but we need to get our story straight before saying anything.

I really want to give her the grandchildren she’s always hoped for. ”

Nick understood, for he was just as eager to produce pups with his gorgeous mate.

“I get it. Since I don’t actually have a first cousin, we need to work out the details before I get pregnant. Besides, we need to wait until everyone on the ranch is a shifter. What is Dante going to do about Klah? The guy has been nothing but trouble since we took over.”

Of the four Diné employees they had inherited, two had resigned on their own, leaving Sakari and Klah.

The stubborn, overly curious man kept seeing and hearing things he shouldn’t, requiring Sergio’s constant intervention.

He wasn’t a bad worker, but they had also agreed he wasn’t a candidate for being turned.

Gray’s response contained a bit of hope.

“Sakari told me that she knows of a job possibility for Klah back home. With Sergio’s help, she thinks he can be convinced to take it and leave us in peace.

We’ll need to hire someone to replace him, but we can manage until the right person comes along.

If he goes, we could start our family next week when the moon is full. ”

Nick’s rumbling growl filled the passenger compartment, along with zesty pheromones. By the time they reached Rancho Lobo, the randy pair had discovered how incredibly uncomfortable a three-hour erection could be—even if it was for a good cause.

############

Meanwhile, at Seney

With current construction projects now complete, it was moving day for the most recent additions to the pack.

It took some coordination of helpers and delivery trucks, but by mid-afternoon, both new houses contained furnishings and basic supplies.

The timing was perfect, given that Zara and Margo were both due around Thanksgiving and would need their own space.

The Picketts were also excited to move into their first home, especially now that Sofia was expecting their next pup in April.

Over at the Alpha’s residence, Seth, Leland, and Finn found themselves with newly emptied bedrooms that were being cleaned and refreshed.

Locked in wolf form, poor Finn couldn’t do much more than watch the proceedings, but it would be a relief to have the entire house to themselves for the first time.

Though the Omega wasn’t due until Christmastime, he and his mates were preparing for a major expansion of their family.

Despite their packmates’ curiosity, they hadn’t told anyone that Finn was carrying four, possibly five, pups, and they would need all the space they could get to accommodate their little ones.

While the Calhoun clan deep-cleaned, Seth and his mates went over to the new hothouse to get Leland’s new space organized.

They’d already carried in the sparse furniture, and though the walls were bare, Finn had promised to remedy that after he delivered.

Today was simply putting things where they belonged so Leland wouldn’t have to do it all by himself.

While Finn went to check out the place with his nose, Seth slipped an arm around Leland’s waist and kissed his temple.

“What do you think, mate? Need anything else?”

Leland shook his head, eyes wide with delight.

“This is already much more than I need , but I will enjoy it nonetheless. We must take some photographs for Ben—he will want to see what the finished space looks like.”

Seth took another look around and made an additional suggestion.

“I know you have a nice office at home, but would you like to have a desk and computer over here too? At some point, the kids are going to be making so much racket, neither you nor I will be able to get anything done!”

Finn had rejoined them, rubbing his body against their legs and licking fingers as he passed. Leland let loose an amused chuckle as the chaotic scene Seth had mentioned sprang to mind.

“I believe you may be right, beloved. If our pups are anything like I was as a child, we will all have our hands full.”

############

Sunday, November 14 th , Gladstone

Lincoln had difficulty remembering Scooter’s odd work schedule.

It was all over the map, including days, nights, weekends, and was never the same from week to week.

Normally, it didn’t bother him all that much, but he was due soon, and it worried him that Scooter might miss the whole thing.

He was never really alone, but he needed his mate with him for the birth of their pup.

It was about three in the afternoon, and he’d spent the day with the Blairs, napping next to Jonah and wishing he could speed up time.

Scooter would be home in a couple of hours, so he didn’t have to wait very long, but he’d felt funny all day.

Aside from the napping, he’d skipped lunch entirely, and still wasn’t interested in food.

Now that was weird! He’d been eating like a water buffalo for months and all of a sudden he had no appetite.

Evan had given him an odd look earlier, and kept sniffing the air for some reason.

Now Lincoln felt antsy, like he needed to move, and got up to pace the large living room.

Jonah watched him for a minute and then let go of a soft howl.

Ben, Evan, and the kids all came running, and Evan kneeled down next to him for a word.

“You’re in labor, Lincoln. There’s plenty of time, and Scooter will be home soon, so don’t worry. I asked Ben to call Donna and Melva, and they’ll meet us at the apartment, all right?”

Labor? Is that what this was? Lincoln nodded and then followed Evan, Jonah, and Evie out the door.

When they reached the apartment, Lincoln went straight to the birthing nest he’d created in the bedroom and started rearranging.

It helped that his Omega packmates were cranking out waves of calming scent, but Lincoln longed for Scooter.

Donna arrived just then and let him know that everything would be fine.

“I know you want your mate, and he’ll be here shortly. Lie down for a minute and let me check you over.”

Deft hands palpated the Omega’s big belly, noting the milk-filled teats and fast heartbeat. Scooter’s absence was causing Lincoln stress, which wasn’t good for him or the pup. Donna purposely tried to sound upbeat.

“Everything looks good! The next thing we want to watch for is the mucous plug. Remember when we talked about that?”

Lincoln was panting now, but managed a soft yip.

“Great! After you pass it, things will move along faster. When the pup is ready, you’ll feel the urge to push. It won’t hurt, but it will feel kind of strange. I’ll be right here to coach you in case you aren’t sure what to do.”

Ben and Evan left the apartment to watch for Scooter, and Lincoln resumed his pacing. While this wasn’t really an emergency, Donna pulled out her phone and sent Scooter a message.

Lincoln in labor. Need you here soonest.

There was no response.

############

Scooter hated accident scenes. This one wasn’t too bad, but he’d noticed it on his way home and stopped to offer assistance.

He checked to make sure the drivers were okay, waited until the tow trucks arrived, and then offered both drivers a ride home.

Fortunately, they lived in town, only minutes from the station.

By the time he turned in his paperwork, secured his patrol car, and got in his own vehicle, it was way past his normal arrival time.

Poor Lincoln would be worried, and Scooter headed out as quickly as he could, neglecting to check his cell phone.

As he pulled in, the yellow gates flew up and Troy rushed out of the guardhouse waving his arms.

“Lincoln is in labor. Get your ass moving!”

What? Labor? Today? But why didn’t anyone call?

Scooter’s mental stuttering stopped abruptly as he realized nothing else mattered except getting home RIGHT NOW!

With a heavy foot, he zoomed down the entry road and pulled into the lot in a cloud of gravel dust. A number of packmates waved and pointed to his apartment, and he took off running.

The door opened before he got there, and he brushed past Melva on his way to the bedroom.

He spotted Lincoln standing on shaky legs, whining in distress, and went down on his knees to stroke his face.

“I’m here, Linc, and everything will be fine. Love you, so much.”

Donna cut in with comments of her own.

“The pup could come at any time. If you’re going to shift, do it now.”

Ignoring everyone else in the room, Scooter stripped and shifted.

He was too focused on his mate to wonder why Donna and Melva were laughing, and it wasn’t until much later that he realized he’d neglected to take off his boxer shorts.

Scooter licked Lincoln’s face and ears, sniffed his back end, and then stayed glued to his side while he paced.

He may have arrived late to the party, but he was here now and about to be a dad.

#############

Another ten minutes passed before Lincoln stopped moving and squatted over one of his favorite blankets.

Legs shaking, his wolf knew it was time to push, and he could feel the pup’s progress on the way out of his body.

Moments later, the little one made an entrance, and Lincoln turned to lick the pup clean and bite off the umbilical cord.

Jonah and Evie joined Scooter’s delighted howl, while Donna announced the time of birth.

“Congratulations, dads! You have a Beta female, born at 7:16 p.m.”

Lincoln curled around the little one to keep her warm, making sure that a nipple was close to the pup’s scrunched- up face.

Scooter leaned down to scent her and lick his mate’s muzzle before forming a protective barrier with his own body.

Enchanted, Melva moved a little closer to snap some photos, and then backed away when Scooter growled at her.

“If it’s all right, can I come back tomorrow to say hello? We’ll need a name for your little darling, too.”

About the only thing Scooter’s wolf could manage was more growling, so Lincoln nodded his head at Melva. Tomorrow seemed a long way off at this point, and all Lincoln wanted to do was sleep. Donna shooed everyone out and rattled off a few instructions before leaving the apartment.

“Lincoln, keep her warm and fed, and shift back whenever it’s convenient for you.

Scooter can prepare the things you’ll need ahead of time, and I left printed instructions on the kitchen counter just in case.

If you need someone to watch the pup while the two of you get acquainted, just call.

Perdy will be bringing meals and collecting laundry for a few days so you can enjoy bonding to your little one.

Unless you need me sooner, I’ll give her a quick exam before you introduce her to the pack. I think you’re going to be great dads!”