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He lifted the sleeping infant into his arms. The baby’s warm skin tone was somewhere between Tak’s dark shade and Hope’s lighter brown. He was a chubby little thing.

A purr rumbled in Lucian’s chest while he studied the baby’s dark eyebrows and hair. “For a squished-up face, he looks like Tak.”

Hope and her mother laughed quietly.

Lucian leaned in and pulled the baby’s scent into his nose. He summoned the magic within him to own that scent for life, imprinting it to his memories. And when he did, a connection formed between them, one that was so profound that he would lay down his life to protect this baby.

Melody walked up and hugged her best friend. “How’s my sister?”

“Exhausted.”

“You should have three more babies and get them all out of the way.”

Hope scoffed. “Don’t be silly. I’m not doing that again anytime soon, but having Mother here made it easier, as did the water birth.”

After straightening up, Melody cast a scathing glance at the house. “Yeah, if only we’d had a pool. I’m sorry it had to be in the bathtub. You must have been squished up in that thing.” She frowned at Lucian. “We had her favorite records playing in the game room and everything.”

“Let’s not be too hard on Virgil.” Hope adjusted her position. “I’m sure we’ll laugh about it someday.”

Melody seemed unconvinced. “He’s officially uninvited from any future delivery I have. What a ding-dong.”

Lucian wanted to point out that everyone knew how much Virgil’s wolf loved water.

He shifted in the shower all the time, and if anyone had the hose going in the backyard, Virgil’s wolf was always the first to come out.

They should’ve taken precautions, knowing he might shift, but Lucian let it go, deciding they were just venting.

After placing the infant back in his mother’s arms, Lucian claimed the Adirondack chair between Lakota and Montana. A warm fire crackled in the firepit they were seated around, smoke rising to the stars, moonlight glittering overhead.

Everyone turned to look when Tak emerged from the house, holding a beautifully patterned blanket. He knelt by Hope’s chair, removed the baby blanket around his son, and swaddled him in the colorful one. Those who had gone into the house earlier gathered expectantly.

Tak cradled the baby in his arms and stood.

“I’ve shared the customs of my people, but since I’m the only Iwa tribe member here, some of the elaborate ceremonies will remain at home.

Hope and I will visit my tribe soon to celebrate with family.

Tradition is important to me, and I want it to be important to my children. ”

“Tak and I discussed names at length,” Hope interjected.

“Tak doesn’t have a last name since that’s not his tribe’s custom, but he wants to start that tradition with our children so they’ll always be connected to us.

We decided against Church since that’s my father’s tribe.

So I let Tak decide. He’s chosen the name Arrowhead—the first of many generations. ”

Tak flashed a mischievous smile. “Don’t think we left you out, Pops.”

Lorenzo seemed to bristle at the way Tak addressed him so informally.

Turning the baby to face everyone, Tak declared, “His middle name will be Lorenzo. Middle names aren’t common with Breed, but Hope and I wanted to honor her family. They raised a bright, talented woman—the only one who can put up with me.”

Hope’s father looked like a feather could have knocked him over.

“And Virgil will be his first name,” Virgil quipped from his lawn chair. “Named after his favorite uncle.”

Tak gave him a peevish glance. “Have your own children and you can name them whatever you want.”

Virgil crossed his legs. “I’ll pass.”

Melody, who was sitting on Lakota’s lap, groaned. “You really know how to draw out the suspense. Well? What’s his name?”

Tak rocked with laughter. “Maybe his name is Elmo.”

“We’d still love him,” Archer piped in. “Even though every kid would beat him up.”

Tak turned the baby around and cradled him. “My mother made this blanket to cloak her children during their naming ceremony. Many blessings were given, and my father sent it down for us to borrow. I waited my whole life for love, and it came to me in more ways than I could imagine.”

His eyes glittered, and even over the charred scent in the air, Lucian could smell Tak’s love. It was one of the most powerful emotional scents that existed.

Tak stroked the baby’s cheek with the pad of his thumb. “Because I chose his last name, his mother has kept his first from me until this day.” The towering warrior turned to his mate and gave her a heartfelt smile. “Well, beautiful? What will we call our son?”

Hope put her feet on the ground and used her mother’s cane to help her stand. Once she steadied herself, she gave the cane back to her mother and put her arm around Tak while gazing at their child.

Hope smiled with her eyes, clearly savoring the moment of knowing that special secret before everyone else, including her mate.

“Gemstones play a vital role in Tak’s former tribe, and they’re my passion.

” She gazed up at her mate with a loving expression.

“I wanted a name with meaning, and besides you, nothing means more to me than my love for jewelry. It’s not a traditional name, but it’s very special to me. His name will be Jasper Arrowhead.”

Tak beamed with pride.

Hope turned her attention to the pack. “Many cultures believe jasper’s a source of strength and courage, and some tribes say the powerful stone grounds them to Mother Earth.

It comes in many colors—red, yellow, brown, green, and sometimes blue.

He’ll be a leader one day, and I want him to remember to always stay grounded and protect his pack.

I want him to remember where he came from and have that influence his decisions in the best way. ”

Tak’s large hand cradled the back of his baby’s head. “I vow as your father and Packmaster to always listen, to protect you and to lead by example. Jasper Lorenzo Arrowhead, you are now an official member of this pack.”

Everyone erupted in applause, which startled the baby and made him cry.

Hope eased back into her chair and covered up with the blanket.

“Jasper is a fine name,” her father said. “Better than Pearl or Apatite.” In an unexpected move, Lorenzo embraced Tak. Then he cradled little Jasper in his arms and kissed him. “My grandson. You will be the greatest warrior who ever lived.”

Watching the couples embrace gave Lucian an unexpected pang in his chest. He had always yearned for that complete feeling that others found, yet there was no point in seeking it.

Not when his kindred spirit had rejected him.