Page 27 of Finding Forever with the Alpha Pack (Return to Wolf Creek #4)

Chapter 27

Nicolai

Watching my mate deliver three babies was, without a doubt, the most intense thing I’ve ever witnessed. I thought one birth was stressful enough, but three? It takes everything to a whole new level. The entire time, my heart felt like it was going to explode from the pressure, each push sending shockwaves through the mate bond as I watched her strength unfold.

Barrett is already strutting around the house, proudly wearing his son, his chest puffed out like he’s conquered the world. The sight brings a small smile to my lips. Lorcan settled into the recliner with his tiny daughter nestled against his chest, the baby looking like a delicate little doll compared to the sheer size of her father. And then there’s Ethan—he’s terrified to even breathe. He’s leaning back on the couch, barely moving, with his son asleep on his chest, his eyes wide as if any slight shift could shatter the world around him.

“Are you ready for a shower?” Conrad’s voice pulls my attention back to her. She’s lying in the nest, sipping on juice, her exhaustion visible but the softness in her smile soothing.

“That would be nice,” she says, her voice a little breathless before she yawns, eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment.

Griffin and I step into the nest with her, moving with care. We both know how fragile she must feel right now, physically and emotionally, and we’re taking no chances. Together, we help lift her up and out of the nest, her body limp in our hands.

“I’ll do laundry,” Conrad calls from behind, stepping into the nest as he gathers up the dirty linens with quiet efficiency. The air smells faintly of birth and sweat, and he’s already moving to clear it away, to restore some semblance of peace.

Griffin and I guide Grace down the hallway slowly, taking our time, letting her lean on us for support. Each step is measured, every moment carefully paced. I can feel the weight of what she’s just been through in every heavy breath she takes. By the time we reach the main bathroom, I can see the relief in her eyes. We had one of those enormous tubs installed when the house was built—big enough to fit multiple people—and now it seems like a godsend.

Conrad catches up, helping Grace out of her clothes while Griffin and I support her weight. The room is warm, the steam from the hot water curling in the air, wrapping around us like a protective blanket. One by one, we strip down, careful with every movement, as if any sudden action could disrupt the fragile peace that’s settled over her.

Once we’re all ready, we guide her into the tub, the hot water instantly soothing her aching muscles. I watch the tension melt from her body, her eyes fluttering closed as she sinks deeper into the warmth. The water ripples gently around us, and for the first time since the chaos of the births, I feel a sense of calm wash over me too.

I settle on the stairs, the warmth of the water enveloping us as I lean back, letting Grace rest against my chest. Her body feels weightless in the hot water, her head nestled on my shoulder. I hold her close, savoring the quiet moment as Griffin reaches over to switch on the jets. The gentle bubbles rise, massaging her tired body from every angle, soothing the tension that’s been lingering for days.

“Best investment ever. Good thinking, Nic.” Grace’s voice is soft, a contented smile on her face as she turns her head to press a kiss to my cheek.

I chuckle, shifting slightly to align her better with the jets. “This was actually a group idea,” I remind her, glancing up as Griffin and Conrad approach with washcloths, ready to help bathe her.

“Barrett wanted a heated tub,” Conrad mentions, dipping the cloth into the water before gently running it over Grace’s shoulder.

Griffin grins, his eyes meeting mine before he adds, “Ethan and I wanted a big enough tub so that more than two people could fit in it at a time. You know, since there’s usually at least two of us with you.”

Grace lets out a quiet laugh, holding onto my arms a little tighter. “That’s true,” she agrees, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Lorcan asked for the stairs and the rail,” I add, watching the way her eyes soften in appreciation. “So he can get himself in and out easily.” I lean in, kissing her cheek as she turns her head slightly to look at the two rails lining the step-down tub.

“Very thoughtful,” Grace murmurs, her smile growing as she closes her eyes, letting the warmth and the jets work their magic. “I’m glad you could make it work for everyone.”

Conrad’s voice cuts through the peace, gentle but practical. “We still need to measure and weigh the babies and call the clinic,” he reminds us.

Grace sighs, a pout forming on her lips as she turns to look at him. “Can you and the moms do that? I want to float for a while longer.” She shifts in my arms, clearly reluctant to leave the comfort of the water. “This feels too amazing to leave just yet.”

Conrad leans over, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Of course, sweetness. Take as long as you need.”

Grace pats my arm, her eyes fluttering closed once again. “How long can the water stay hot for?” She yawns, her body relaxing even further into mine.

“As long as we have power and water in the tub,” I reply, kissing her forehead and giving her a gentle squeeze.

“Good.” Her smile is sleepy, content, as she drifts off in the warm embrace of the tub.

I glance over at Griffin, giving him a nod before gently passing Grace off to him. She snuggles in close, her arms wrapping around him as easily as they had me, her body molding against his as if she’s always belonged there. I smile to myself, watching the way she clings to him, so at ease, so loved.

We’ve come a long way, all of us. Sharing Grace’s attention hasn’t always been easy—especially for us alphas. The instinct to claim her, to hold her attention, to be the one she focuses on, it’s hard to shake. But Grace, having four alphas, a beta, and an omega in her life, makes for an interesting game of emotional jenga some nights. And yet, somehow, we’ve made it work. Every day, we get a little better at knowing when to step back and when to be by her side.

Later in the evening, I walk into the room and can’t help but laugh at the sight before me. Grace is nestled among a mountain of pillows, nursing Ethan, and Lorcan’s babies. While Barrett, sitting right beside her, wears some sort of ridiculous fake boob contraption, happily feeding his son and singing softly to him. The sight is almost too much.

“Barrett, what are you doing?” I chuckle, shaking my head as I approach. His setup is both hysterical and strangely endearing.

Barrett, completely unbothered, grins and continues in his singsong voice, “Who’s the daddy? I’m the daddy,” before planting a tender kiss on Dante’s nose. His pride practically radiates from him as he cradles his son.

I lean down to kiss Grace on the forehead, still grinning. “Seriously, Barrett, what are you doing?”

Without missing a beat, he puffs up his chest, proudly displaying the contraption strapped across him. “I’m breastfeeding my son.”

Grace, her voice soft and full of affection, explains with a smile. “He’s feeding Dante my breast milk. We pumped it earlier, before I started feeding the other two.” She lets out a soft sigh, glancing at Barrett with that adoring look in her eyes. “He’s being such an amazing daddy, just like I always told him he would be.”

I can’t help but smile at the two of them. The warmth in Grace’s voice and the way Barrett cradles Dante—it’s the scene that melts your heart. “How are the other two doing?” I ask, leaning in to check on Maeve and Ethan’s son, both contentedly nursing.

“Maeve only likes my left breast. Bishop isn’t picky at all.” Grace giggles, clearly amused. “He’s just like his daddy that way.”

I raise an eyebrow, glancing between her and Ethan, who just shrugs. “So wait, we have a Deacon and now a Bishop?” I say, catching on to the unintended theme in the names.

Grace keeps giggling, kissing the top of her babies’ heads. “I guess so. Maybe we’ll get the whole set one day.”

A yawn escapes her, and I can see the exhaustion settling in. She leans back against the pillows, her eyes growing heavy, though the love she has for her family radiates from her even in this moment of fatigue. I watch her, surrounded by her children and mates, and feel the peacefulness of the scene wash over me. This is what home looks like.

When my mom arrives with the other three children, I hold a finger to my lips, signaling them to be quiet. Grace is lying there, her eyes closed, and I’m not sure if she’s asleep or just resting. Either way, I don’t want to risk waking her.

“Daddy?” Nina’s tiny voice tugs at my heart as she grabs onto my shirt. I scoop her up into my arms, kissing her cheek as I guide the rest of the children over to see their new siblings.

“Yes, baby?” I whisper, keeping my voice low as we approach the cluster of tiny, bundled babies nestled between Grace and Barrett.

Nina’s eyes go wide as she stares at the three newborns. “There’s so many...” she murmurs, her awe palpable as she takes in the sight of her new brothers and sister.

I smile softly. “Momma Grace carried three pups this time. Two boys and a girl.” I point to each of the babies carefully, naming them as I do. “That’s Maeve, Bishop, and Dante.”

Before I can finish, I feel a tap on my elbow. I glance down to see Ashina looking up at me, her big eyes filled with curiosity. “Daddy Nic?” she asks softly, her little fingers wrapping around the fabric of my shirt.

“Yes, sweetheart?” I reach down, pulling her close to my side, tucking her against my hip.

Her voice is a whisper, tinged with concern. “Did Daddy Ethan have a baby this time? He’ll be so sad if he didn’t.” Her eyes flicker from me to the babies Grace is holding, her worry written all over her face.

My brows furrow, confusion settling in. “Why didn’t you look at Barrett?” I ask, puzzled by her question.

Ashina and Nina both giggle, their laughter like soft bells in the quiet room. “Because he’s been singing that he’s the daddy, so I know that one’s his,” Ashina giggles, pointing at Barrett as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

I can’t help but chuckle along with them, a warmth spreading through me as I glance back at Barrett. He has a way of making sure everyone knows when he’s proud, and right now, it’s hard to miss.

Grace opens her eyes slowly, motioning for all the children to join her. I move quickly, helping the girls and Deacon climb onto the bed. They crawl carefully, their little faces full of excitement, toward Grace and Barrett, their attention fixed on the tiny bundles in their arms.

Barrett sits up, burping his son with practiced ease before spinning him to face the rest of the children. “This is Dante,” he announces with a proud smile. “He was the second baby born.” The girls lean in, their wide eyes sparkling with curiosity as they gently reach out to touch Dante’s tiny hands.

“He’s so cute,” they say in unison, before dissolving into giggles at the perfect timing.

“And this,” Barrett continues, shifting slightly to reveal Maeve, “is Lorcan’s daughter.” The moment Maeve opens her eyes, revealing that brilliant emerald green color, the girls gasp in awe. Her strawberry blonde curls catch the light, framing her tiny face, and I can already tell she’s going to have them wrapped around her finger in no time.

“She’s the oldest of the babies,” Barrett adds, his voice filled with pride.

The girls are mesmerized, immediately turning their attention to Maeve, their fingers gently brushing her curls as they smile down at her. Nina, ever the curious one, looks up at me and Grace, her eyes wide with hope.

“When can she play with us?” she asks, her voice full of excitement.

I chuckle softly, leaning down to kiss the top of Nina’s head. “Remember how long it took Deacon?” I remind her, glancing over at the now-sleepy boy cuddled into Grace’s side. “It’ll take about the same amount of time, depending on how often she shifts.”

As I speak, the soft creak of the door catches my attention. Ethan steps inside, his voice hushed as he moves with purpose, scooting between me and the wall to get closer to Grace and the babies. His eyes immediately lock on his son, and I can see the shift in him, the way his entire being softens as he approaches.

“How’s Momma and the babies doing?” he asks quietly, his tone filled with that protective warmth only Ethan can pull off.

He reaches out, gently touching his son’s tiny hand. Instantly, the baby grips his finger, holding on with surprising strength. Ethan’s face lights up, his smile soft but full of pride. “That’s my boy,” he murmurs, his voice almost reverent as he leans over to take his son from Grace. The connection between them is palpable, and for a moment, the world outside of this room fades away, leaving just us—our family, our pack—safe and whole.