Page 21

Julian

I woke up in Andreas’ bed to the sounds of his running shower. As I stretched, groaning with little aches, I heard the water shut off and the sound of my alpha opening the glass door and stepping out.

“I hear your heart, mate. Good morning,” he called out from the bathroom.

“Good morning,” I said but made no attempt to move. His bed was too comfortable and warm. It had been a long time since I got such a good night’s sleep. Usually on my days off, I stayed up most of the night, mentally still working the late shift. Not last night, though there were several lovemaking sessions in the wee hours.

“I’m sorry I woke you, but Reed will be up soon. He’s starving when he wakes.” He came into the bedroom, scrubbing a towel through his wet hair. Another one was slung around his waist. If I thought we could be quick enough, I would’ve gotten up and licked every water droplet from his body. “Keep looking at me like that and we’ll be in trouble. He can get out of his toddler bed now.”

I laughed and got up and walked over to kiss him. “Maybe later, then.” After a quick shower, I changed into lounge pants and a hoodie that Andreas left on the bed, and I followed the noise to the kitchen where Reed was up and chattering. Some of what was being said was like another language, but my mate soaked it up. Nodding. Gasping. Reacting as though Reed was giving the speech of a lifetime.

Fatherhood made him ten times sexier.

“What’s for breakfast?” I asked.

“A little bit of everything. I didn’t know what you would like.”

Reed reached out from his booster seat.

“May I?” I asked, nodding my head in Reed’s direction. “I don’t want to interrupt your routine.”

“You aren’t. He’s eager to bond with you, it seems. His wolf reached out for mine a bit this morning. He needs all the love he can get.”

I walked over and Reed hopped up into my embrace. We walked over to the counter and watched Andreas cook up French toast, pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, and every other breakfast food I could imagine and then some.

“Do you like eggs?” I asked Reed. He had fistfuls of the borrowed hoodie.

“Eggies. Bacon.”

“Ah, you’re a meat guy. Carnivore to the core. How about pancakes?”

Reed nodded. “Pampakes.”

Close enough.

“Hey, is there coffee?” I asked.

“Of course. I didn’t even offer. It’s been so long since I had someone else here.”

“Don’t worry about it. Reed, I’m going to put you back in your seat so I don’t accidentally spill on you.”

I put Reed back, and he was pacified by sausage, bacon, and a couple of pancakes. I learned so many things that morning. Andreas had more creamer in his coffee than actual bean juice. Reed didn’t like maple syrup, even the real stuff. He only liked honey on his pancakes and French toast. The little boy said please and thank you more than most adults.

Of course, I wanted to have babies with Andreas myself, but he was also right. Our wolves were bonding the way I assumed a parent would with his pup.

“Outside!” Reed announced.

“Is this his routine?” I asked.

“It is. But he goes to preschool late today.” Andreas’ face fell. “What time do you work?”

Oh, my alpha. His entire demeanor changed in an instant. He had every right to have some fear about his omega leaving him, but unless I had no other choice, there was no way I would ever abandon him. “Let’s bring him outside,” I said. I picked up Reed and we brought him to the backyard where he ran for the mini trampoline and climbed in, bypassing the safety net. Good thing it was on grass and it was only a little kid version with a handlebar to hold onto, or I’d be afraid he would hurt himself.

“Omega?” he asked, coming over to stand by me. His tone broke my heart.

“I have to go to work at four this afternoon. I have a night shift. I’ll get off about one, if the other scheduled nurses come in. Talk to me, mate. What’s bothering you?” We would get nowhere as a couple if we weren’t open.

“I’m afraid you’re going to go to work and then change your mind. About me. About us.”

I scoffed. “Peaches would never let that happen, and neither would I. I know it’s going to take time, but when in doubt, talk to your wolf. What does he say?”

Andreas took a long, deep breath, closing his eyes. “He says you won’t leave us.”

“And he’s right.” I tugged him close and rested my head against his chest. “He’s so right, Andreas. I won’t leave you or Reed. You’re stuck with me,” I joked.

He wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly. “Happily stuck with you, Julian. And, for the record, I can’t wait to get you back to the club. That night, it took everything in me not to have my way with you.”

“Next time, don’t hesitate, mate.”

For a few hours, we watched Reed play and have a good time. I helped get him dressed and put on a backpack nearly twice his size. We rode to preschool and then came back to make love one more time before I had to go home to get ready. “I’ll text you on my lunch break, but it will be late. Don’t feel like you have to stay up to answer me.”

“Well, now I have to. I’m already eager to hear from you.”

“Me too.” I had smiled so much over the last day that my cheeks hurt.

We kissed and kissed some more before I finally had to leave. I would have to rush to get ready for my shift, but it was so worth it. Andreas was worth every second of procrastination and more.