Page 20

SIX MONTHS LATER

“My feet hurt,” Nathan mumbled, sounding equal parts frustrated and exhausted.

I glanced over at him, and I couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

He looked absolutely adorable, wrapped up in his favorite blanket and lazily spooning cookies and cream ice cream straight from the tub.

His cheeks were flushed, and his tousled hair made him look even more endearing.

Shifter pregnancies were fast compared to human ones.

Nathan was close to six months along, and it felt like just yesterday that he’d told me we were expecting.

Now, his due date was looming, and he’d taken time off work to rest.

It was a blessing in disguise—having him all to myself, to care for him, to watch over him.

I knelt in front of him, gently grabbing his ankles and pulling his feet onto my lap.

“Let me take care of you,” I murmured, pressing my thumbs into the arch of his foot.

Nathan let out a deep, contented sigh, and I couldn’t help but grin at the sound.

“You give the best massages,” he said, his voice breathy as I continued working the tension out of his feet.

He moaned softly in relief, his head falling back against the couch.

I was enjoying the peaceful moment when Nathan’s expression suddenly changed.

His brow furrowed, and he placed a hand on his belly, wincing.

“Ivan…”

“What is it?” I asked, instantly alert. I sat up, concern rising in my chest.

Nathan looked down, his hand still clutching his stomach, and then I saw it—his water had broken, soaking through the blanket and onto the couch.

His wide, startled eyes met mine.

“I think—it’s time,” he stammered, a mix of excitement and fear in his voice.

My heart skipped a beat. This was it.

The moment we’d both been anticipating, and yet somehow, it had come so suddenly. But I wasn’t unprepared.

I had been planning for this for weeks.

“It’s okay, I’ve got everything ready,” I reassured him, trying to keep my voice calm despite the wave of worry crashing through me.

I stood up quickly, grabbed the go-bag we’d packed together, and rushed to Nathan’s side.

“We’re going to the hospital now,” I said.

Nathan nodded, but I could see the uncertainty in his eyes.

I grabbed my phone, dialing Zane’s number as I helped Nathan to his feet.

“Hey, it’s time. We’re heading to the hospital,” I said as soon as he answered. “Can you let the others know?”

“On it,” Zane replied. “Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll meet you there.”

I hung up and turned my attention fully to Nathan. His breathing was steady, but I could tell he was in pain.

“Just breathe, Nathan. We’ve got this,” I told him.

We made our way to the truck, and I carefully helped him into the passenger seat before jumping behind the wheel.

My fingers tightened around the steering wheel as I started the engine.

The drive to the hospital felt both too fast and agonizingly slow, every red light making my heart race faster.

Nathan was gripping the door handle, his breaths coming in shallow bursts as another contraction hit.

“You okay?” I asked, glancing over at him.

“I’m fine,” he replied through gritted teeth, though I could see the tension in his body.

He was being brave, but I could feel the fear beneath the surface.

I reached over, squeezing his hand as I turned into the hospital parking lot.

As soon as we checked in, a nurse appeared with a wheelchair, whisking Nathan away to a delivery room while I followed close behind.

The nurse helped him onto the bed, and I stayed at his side, holding his hand tightly.

His grip on mine was strong, a mix of pain and determination written all over his face.

“It’s happening so fast,” Nathan breathed, his eyes wide as the contractions came in quick succession.

“You’re doing amazing,” I told him, brushing a strand of hair out of his face. “I’m right here.”

Time blurred after that. The doctors moved quickly, the room filling with the sounds of medical equipment and instructions.

But through it all, I focused on Nathan, on being there for him, telling him how strong he was, how much I loved him.

Finally, after what felt like both hours and mere seconds, a soft cry filled the room. Our baby. Our son.

I blinked, my heart swelling with an emotion I couldn’t quite name, something that was both fierce and gentle all at once.

Nathan collapsed back against the pillows, tears in his eyes, exhausted but smiling.

“We did it,” he whispered, his voice trembling with joy and relief.

The nurse carefully handed the tiny, wriggling bundle to Nathan, who cradled our son against his chest.

I slid into the bed beside him, wrapping my arms around both of them.

“Theo,” Nathan whispered, gazing down at the baby. “That’s his name.”

I nodded, my chest tight with emotion.

“Theo,” I echoed, kissing Nathan’s temple, then leaning down to brush my lips against our son’s soft head. “Welcome to the world, little guy.”

We stayed like that for what felt like hours, just the three of us, lost in the moment.

I marveled at how small Theo was, how fragile, and yet how he was already everything. My family. My world.

Eventually, we heard a knock on the door, and Zane and Otis appeared, their faces lighting up as soon as they saw us.

“Congratulations!” Zane beamed, walking over to give Nathan a careful hug.

“Look at him,” Otis whispered, gazing down at Theo. “He’s perfect.”

Draven and Tobias arrived next, followed by Doyle and Michael.

Our pack mates gathered around, taking turns holding the baby, each of them offering their congratulations and words of support.

It was overwhelming, in the best way.

But soon, the room emptied out, leaving just the three of us again. Nathan looked at me, his eyes soft and full of love.

“We’re parents,” he said, as if he still couldn’t quite believe it.

I smiled, pulling him close.

“Yeah, we are.” I kissed him deeply, my heart full. “And I love you.”

“I love you too,” Nathan replied, his voice full of emotion.

THE END