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Chapter Twenty-One

CHOMP

S he looks just as I remember with the same long, golden brown hair and eyes the identical shade as mine. She’s lost a little weight since we’ve last met but doesn’t appear unhealthy. It’s her eyes that snare my attention, along with the quiver in her chin. When those brown pools fill with tears, I can’t stand another second of silence.

“Mom.” Her name leaves my lips like a long-awaited, answered prayer. I’m vaguely aware that I drop Ariel’s hand and then I’m rushing up the stairs, scooping up my mother in a tight hug as she begins to wail, clutching at me like she never believed we’d have this moment together the same as I did.

I have so many questions. “How? Why are you here?”

“He’s dead,” my mother whispers with a sniffle.

The bull who mistreated my mother. The gator I’ve hated for what he’s done to my family and congregation. I don’t have it in me to feel sorry.

No! He forced us to leave, Gator bellows. We do not mourn him.

“I’m not sorry he’s gone.” I know I sound belligerent, but his treatment toward me, as well as other male gators in our congregation was horrific, and one of the reasons I tried to hold myself aloof from others. I couldn’t handle losing others I’d grown to care about again; it devastated me.

Club brothers and our mate are different, Gator hisses. They will never leave us.

“Neither am I,” she admits, finally pulling away but keeping her hands on my shoulders. “We’ve all missed you, Chomp.” Her head turns toward the door, and I spot my youngest sibling, no more than fifteen years.

When I see Chewy, I almost lose it. He was a little hatchling when I left, stuck to my mother’s side often, and always chewing on shit because he was teething. The young man before me has the same brown eyes, my mother’s hair color, and my build. He’s smaller, but in a few years, he’ll fill out once he’s grown. “Chewy.”

He makes a youthful bellow and hurtles his way toward me, shifting in his excitement. My mother easily sidesteps the smaller, overexcited gator and I shift to join him, immediately locked in a tussle as we wrestle. I flip him over a few times before we shift back, and I pull him into a hug.

“You’ve gotten fat,” he jokes as I squeeze him.

“Funny,” I laugh.

Behind us, I hear chuckles from Spike, Kodiak, Peanut, and a few of my brothers. They’re happy for me. I can see it in their expressions when I turn to face them. I’ve gotten some of my family back, and it fills that last little empty hole in my heart.

“Your other brothers are mated now and have set up their families in lakes that apparently filter into the one here in Yukon Bluff,” my mom says.

My jaw drops at her words; I was close to my siblings, but as the oldest, the bull’s attention was on me since I was nearly old enough to challenge him. While I did, it wasn’t to take over the congregation, it was to keep him from hurting all the females who were there. To say that his death couldn’t have happened to a nicer male is an understatement. For years I’ve mourned losing my biological family, even though my life here in Yukon Bluff is more than satisfactory. I have a lake that sprawls endlessly, found brothers with the club, and now the most beautiful mate ever.

We need them to stay, Gator bellows. We aren’t like him, we won’t kick our brother out. He needs to learn how to be a good male. Our brothers plus me will help teach him.

“Are you here to stay?” I ask, turning my hopeful gaze to my mother.

“If you’ll have us.”

If ? I drag Chewy toward my mother and hug them both against me. “Ariel?” I ask, noting her wide smile. She’s brushing tears from her cheeks, but her joy is unmistakable. She’s thrilled for me. I can feel it.

“Of course! Our home is open to you all.”

My mother blinks before her gaze rests on Ariel’s wrist. “You’re my son’s mate.”

Ariel nods. “Yes.”

Before anyone can react, my mother is rushing toward Ariel, hugging her close as she weeps. “I’ve waited so long for my Chomp to find you.”

Her words bring on fresh tears as they slip down Ariel’s face, but I know it’s because of the acceptance and love she feels. “He saved me when I needed him the most. More than once,” Ariel confides.

“Because you’re true mates. I can see the bond. It’s quite strong already.”

My mother’s words fill me and Gator with pride and exhilaration. “Mother, meet my Ariel. Ariel, this is my mother.”

“And that’s what you call me,” she insists, kissing my cheek. “You call me Mom.”

Ariel begins to sob as my mother holds her tighter. “I lost my mom.”

“Now you have a new one,” my mom tells her. “Not to replace her, but to hopefully help you navigate being the mate to an obstinate gator.”

“Mom!” I exclaim. “I’m not that bad.”

Maybe you aren’t, my gator whispers, but I can be.

Well, he’s certainly right about that fact! Still, seeing my mate’s brilliant smile at my mom’s words has me shrugging in acceptance. “We want you to stay,” I affirm.

“We’ll get out to your cabin and figure out what we need to do to expand it so all of y’all have privacy,” Spike decrees. Then he stops and says, “Maybe, since you and Ariel are newly mated, we should just build your mom and brother their own place out by the lake. Especially if there’s a chance your other family might visit.”

That’s fucking perfect. “Mom?”

She releases Ariel and dashes the wetness from her cheeks. “It’s everything I hoped for.”

“Then it’s settled.”

And not a single one among us rejects the idea.

* * *

“So,” Kodiak drawls as he joins me, watching our mates talking to my mother in the clubhouse. “I see your mark.”

It’s been hours and now that everyone is fed and enjoying drinks, we’ve finally settled. Chewy seems to be fascinated with Spike and I see a bit of smoke curl from his nostrils. He’ll have to get used to it if he wants a mate. Younger siblings and children are sure to follow.

“Yeah. I didn’t expect that,” I confide. “It sort of shocked me in the moment.”

He snorts. “Yeah. Same with me. Mine showed up a few hours later.” He lifts the collar of his shirt and shows me the silvery skin and the scar that proves he’s mated. “I’m proud of it.”

“I wonder if that’ll happen to everyone who mates?” I question. “I mean, we’re kind of in uncharted territory at this point. The way my former congregation was run is not what I want for my family.”

“What do you mean?” he asks.

“Once a male gator reaches puberty, they either have to fight the bull or alpha to use words you’ll better understand to take over the congregation. Most will just leave and find their own lakes to live in, which can get lonely. I wanted to stay because my mom and siblings were there, but I would rebel against him because of how he treated not only my mom, but the other females. I wasn’t strong enough to defeat him then, so I left to keep my mom safe. But my gator and I have already determined that if Ariel and I have boys, they can stay as long as they want until they’re ready to strike out on their own.”

He chuckles and says, “Somehow, I suspect their mother will want them around.”

I nod because I feel like Ariel will be the same way. “How much longer before you and Callie welcome your bundle of joy?”

“A few months, I think. I’m not really sure about the actual time frame since she was turned into a shifter. I don’t know if she’s going to follow what a human gestation period is, or if she’ll be like most shifters. So, I’ve been getting our den ready for hibernation. I want to be ready.”

“I bet you do. Is that why you’re fattening up?” I joke, poking him in the belly.

He blinks like it hasn’t occurred to him until now. “Shit. Yeah, I think so. I won’t be able to leave them and hunt, not at first. My protective instinct is gonna kick in strong. It already is. My bear is fucking impossible right now.”

I snort. “So is my gator and Ariel isn’t even pregnant.”

Kodiak grins. “I bet it won’t be long.”

“I hope so. It’s the one thing that hasn’t happened yet. I’ll be so fucking happy, Kodiak.”

“Yeah. It’s awesome,” he agrees. “Until you feel the need to wrangle your bear because he’s trying to prevent everyone from going near your mate.”

I laugh because I know Gator will be ridiculous. He already is.

I resemble that remark, he snarks. Our mate will be safe and so will any offspring.

He’s so certain it makes me antsy. I want to tell him to chill but there’s no point. He does whatever the fuck he wants anyway. Just wait until we have hatchlings and I have to make him listen.

Not happening, he chumpfs.

We’ll see. Ariel walks over and plops onto my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck. Leaning in, she whispers, “Callie is going to call Cheryl and get me a list of names for a trauma therapist.”

“That’s good news, my dove,” I reply. “Today’s been a great day, hasn’t it?”

“Definitely. I can’t wait to see what your brothers build for your mom and Chewy,” she says.

“We’re going to add on to the cabin as well,” I tell her.

“Why?”

“Because eventually we’ll have hatchlings and they’ll need to be by the water once they begin shifting,” I reply.

Her eyes widen. “How soon does that happen?”

“When they’re able to walk to the lake,” I admit. “So, relatively quickly.”

“Guess I better learn how to be a gator mama then,” she teases.

We’re gonna teach her! my gator bellows. As if I’d forget he’s already told me that very thing.

I open my mouth to assure Ariel she has nothing to worry about when Callie gasps. Kodiak shoots to his feet and runs toward her, hovering his hands around her body. He’s gotten so wide from all his extra snacks, I can’t see her anymore.

Ariel jumps from my lap. “Callie?”

“My water just broke!”

Kodiak, my usually in control brother, sways on his feet. “There’s water gushing out of my mate!”

I don’t know whether to laugh or smack him so he focuses on his mate as I rush over, joining Ariel as she helps Callie to her feet. We’re all staring at the big bear who looks pale. He’s nearly catatonic.

“Kodiak!” Spike shouts, using his presidential influence. “Snap the fuck out of it!”

Kodiak blinks and reaches down to scoop Callie into his arms. He takes three steps before she lets out a shrill cry, clutching at her stomach. “Mate!” he roars and spins in a circle like he can’t decide which way to go or what the fuck to do.

Somebody needs to smack him. I can’t. Callie and Ariel won’t like it.

But I will, the gator chortles.

I ignore him as Callie groans. She’s obviously in pain. Kodiak looks ready to pass out.

It’s my mother who intervenes. Bless her. “Everyone stop.”

I didn’t notice before now that all the club members looked panicked. All but Spike.

“Giving birth is natural. There is nothing wrong with Callie.”

No one looks convinced.

“Kodiak, carry your mate to an empty bedroom. We’re going to prepare for the arrival of your cub.”

Something seems to click inside his head, and he nods, rushing toward the stairs to climb them quickly, careful not to jostle Callie.

I reach for Ariel’s hand, and we follow as my mother begins giving orders. Soon there’s water boiling, fresh towels gathered, and supplies being brought to my mom as she assists with Kodiak and Callie’s birth. It’s hours before any progress is made.

Ariel is with Callie as I pass a drink to Kodiak. He nearly lost it a few minutes earlier. I had to shove him from the room.

“My mate needs me,” he argues, his voice hoarse.

I can’t imagine what he’s going through. “You need to calm the fuck down for your mate. She can feel your distress,” I remind him.

“Fuck.” He buries his head in his hands. “I need a drink.”

Spike shoves a bottle of Jack in front of him. “Drink it. All of it,” he orders.

Kodiak arches a brow. “But,” he argues.

“No. You've got plenty of padding. Drink. Now.”

Thirty minutes later, Kodiak’s words are slurring, and he’s pacing the floor, sending agonized glances at the bedroom where the women are gathered. He’s not drunk enough to be a concern. It’s just taken the edge off, which has probably helped Callie.

My mom has promised to get him as soon as it’s time, so until then, we’ve made it our mission to keep Kodiak occupied. The liquor has helped, but I can see it’s already wearing off. Damn shifter metabolism!

Just when I think Kodiak might actually shift in the clubhouse, my mother pokes her head out the door. “It’s time.”

Kodiak is sober in an instant, rushing to his mate. Spike, Peanut, and Fang begin to pace, and I join them, knowing this moment is private and I need to wait to enter the room. When the door finally opens, it’s not my mom. Kodiak takes small, measured steps as he walks into the main hall where we’ve been waiting, holding a swaddled bundle.

“My son.” He swallows hard. “My first cub.”

Cheers erupt in the room, and there isn’t a male in sight who isn’t both envious and thrilled for Kodiak. This is what we’ve all wanted, and what we’ve hoped for. Mates. Offspring. Peace.

“I’ve got a son!” Kodiak kisses the sweet, soft cheek of his newborn, and I can tell he’s in love in an instant.

Later that night, I sit on one of the couches with my mother and Ariel, enjoying the celebration going on around us. The clubhouse is full of life, cheer, and hope. It’s fucking powerful.

My mother’s head droops, and she rests against the cushions, asleep in an instant. I’m still in awe that she’s here. We’ve decided not to leave the clubhouse so I can stay close to Mom and Chewy for a few days. I feel the need to remain by their side, and Ariel understands. It’s not like there aren’t plenty of rooms and suites available, and Ariel has already gotten one ready for them to use until their cabin is built.

“You know,” she whispers, “I think I know just what you need right now.”

“Oh?”

“Practice,” she answers simply.

For once, I don’t catch her meaning right away. “Huh, dove?”

“Practicing for our own.” She wiggles her eyebrows, and it’s the cutest thing. Wait. Is she saying . . .?

Yes! We need hatchlings! my gator bellows, nearly deafening me with his roar.

I shoot to my feet, pick up Ariel, and stride with purpose toward my room.

We’re making our own little bundle of joy. Tonight. And every night until it happens.

Ariel’s lips hover at my ear. “I want a baby of our own, Chomp. Give me one.”

I shiver. “Mate, I will give you so much of me, it’s dripping out.”

She giggles. “Good.”

I know when we enter that room, we’re not coming out for hours. Gator’s thoughts sum it up for both of us.

Let’s get it on!