Page 18

Ersa

E rsa gripped the e-reader tightly, his fingers tapping furiously against the screen as his lips moved in a silent whisper, as if he were counting under his breath. His brow was furrowed in concentration, eyes flicking across the display with an almost frantic energy. From the doorway, his parents watched him with identical expressions of bewilderment, their concern growing with every passing second.

Still absorbed in his task, Ersa suddenly got up from the bed, his movements slightly awkward, thanks to the swell of his belly. He waddled toward the clothing cubicle in the corner and knelt beside his case—the one Erle had retrieved from Xander’s house. The bag remained mostly untouched since Erle had brought it back; Ersa hadn’t bothered to unpack, uncertain how long he’d be staying here.

He unzipped the case and began sorting through his clothes with methodical efficiency. Larger, looser garments were set aside in a neat pile, while smaller ones—the ones that wouldn’t accommodate his changing body—were folded and placed back inside. Every now and then, he paused to add something to the growing list on his e-reader, his mind already leaping ahead to the many things he’d need.

From the doorway, his dad’s voice broke the silence. “What… what is he doing?”

“He’s preparing for his cub,” his mother answered, her voice soft and still laced with disbelief.

Ersa was just as shocked. The knowledge still felt surreal, like something fragile and impossible, but there was no time to dwell on fear. Excitement propelled him forward, keeping the gnawing anxiety at bay. He had to focus on the future, on the life growing inside him.

When his list was complete, Ersa turned to face his parents. “I never asked what happened to my things when I left three years ago. Did you… sell everything?”

His mother hesitated, but his dad answered. “Yes, we did… but we saved all the credit from the sale.” His voice softened. “We were going to give it to you when you asked.”

Relief washed over Ersa, loosening some of the tightness in his chest. “I’m going to need it,” he said quietly. “Raising a cub isn’t cheap. I’m sure the savings will last me a while before I need to find a job, right?”

“It’s a substantial amount,” his dad confirmed. “But you don’t have to do this alone, Ersa. We’re here—we’ll help you in any way you need.”

Ersa’s heart clenched at those words, the warmth of his dad’s support easing some of his lingering fears. But still, he had to ask. “You’re not going to tell me to get bonded? Or to give up my cub?” His voice was cautious, his eyes searching theirs for any hint of judgment.

“No,” his dad said firmly. “You can do whatever you want. We just want you to be happy.”

Then his dad crossed the room and wrapped him in a strong, steady embrace—and for the first time in what felt like forever, Ersa let himself believe that maybe, just maybe, everything would be okay.

“Are you sure you don’t want to get bonded?” Erle’s deep voice rumbled through the quiet room, his words heavy with meaning. He stood at the doorway, his broad frame filling the space as his eyes studied Ersa carefully. “Even if it’s to him?” He tilted his chin toward a point in the hallway.

Ersa turned, his heart already pounding—and then it stopped altogether.

There, at the edge of the hallway, stood Xander. He looked every bit the powerful, commanding alpha Ersa remembered, but there was a softness in his eyes now, a vulnerability. And cradled in his arms was Benjn.

For a moment, the world shifted. Ersa’s breath caught in his throat, his chest aching with so many emotions he couldn’t even name them.

“What are you doing here?” His voice came out in a whisper.

As if recognizing him, Benjn’s little head lifted—and then the cub began to cry, his wails breaking the silence like a plea. Without hesitation, Xander crossed the room and placed Benjn gently into Ersa’s arms.

The instant their bodies touched, the cub quieted. His tiny face burrowed against Ersa’s chest with a soft, contented sigh, and in that single moment, Ersa’s heart both broke and mended.

“I missed you so much,” he whispered, holding Benjn tighter, pressing a kiss into the soft curls on the cub’s head.

“He missed you too,” Xander said, his voice rough. He hesitated, then cleared his throat. “I… I missed you too.”

Ersa looked up sharply, his eyes meeting Xander’s.

“Let’s give them some privacy,” Ersa’s dad’s gentle voice broke in from the doorway. A few murmurs of agreement followed, and within moments, the room emptied, leaving them alone.

The silence between them stretched, thick and fragile.

“What are you doing here?” Ersa asked again, his voice shaking. “Where… where’s Nath?”

Xander took a step closer, his eyes never leaving Ersa’s face. “I came to take you home,” he said softly. “And Nath… Nath left.”

Ersa blinked, his mind struggling to process the words. “He left?” he echoed. “But why? I thought… I thought this was what he wanted.”

“So did he,” Xander said, his voice low. “But he wasn’t coping as well as he hoped. He went back to the center. We’re no longer bond mates. It’s over between us.”

He stepped closer again, close enough that Ersa could feel his warmth, smell the familiar, comforting scent of him. Xander’s eyes softened, his hand lifting as if he wanted to touch him but didn’t quite dare.

“I know I put you through so much,” he said quietly, his voice trembling with regret. “But I was wondering… if you’ll have me. Will you bond with me, Ersa?”

Tears filled Ersa’s eyes, blurring his vision. It felt like a dream—one he’d never dared hope for again.

“How is this happening?” he whispered. “It doesn’t feel real.”

Xander’s lips curved into a small, hopeful smile. “Believe it, baby. I’m here. And I love you.” He finally reached out, wrapping both Ersa and Benjn in his arms. “Bond with me, Ersa. Let’s be a family again.”

Ersa broke then. The tears spilled over as he nodded, his whole body trembling. “I will,” he sobbed. “I will. I love you so much.”

Xander dropped to his knees, pressing his hands gently against Ersa’s growing belly. He kissed the swell there, his eyes wide with wonder.

“I still can’t believe you’re pregnant,” he murmured. “When Dr. Alora told me, I didn’t believe it. But now that I’m here, I can see it. You’re bigger than I imagined.”

Ersa laughed through his tears. “I think you put more than one cub in there.”

Xander’s laughter filled the room, rich and warm, as he rose to his feet. He took Ersa’s hand, lacing their fingers together.

“Come on,” he said softly, his eyes shining with love. “Let’s go home.”

And this time, Ersa went without hesitation—because Xander was his home.