Page 36 of The Ruby Dragon’s Unconventional Mate (Oro Escondido #3)

Chapter

Thirty-Three

L ars’s water had broken about six hours into hard labor.

Ten hours after that, things were starting to get intense, and he was beginning to worry. Lachlan and Logan were both right there, the three of them pacing, taking turns talking to Lars and helping him breathe.

Sally, the midwife, insisted everything was fine, but it didn’t feel fine. It felt as if it was taking an eternity.

“Was it this way with Dakota?” he asked, and Logan nodded.

“The first time seemed to take forever. The second time was better. Faster.”

“He’s so brave, you know that?” Lachlan wore a look of pure pride on his face. Lars had honestly become family. “He’s amazing.”

“Yes. He is exactly what I needed in my life. I just didn’t know it until I met him.”

And Bryant had never felt so helpless seeing Lars in labor, but he did believe that Lars had this.

“Get your ass in here, Bryant!” Lars snapped.

“That must be my cue.” Bryant nodded to his brother and his brother-in-law and went running.

Sally sat there, a little smile on her face. “It’s time to push.”

“Already? Finally? I mean, yes.”

“Quit talking and get over here.” Light was pouring off of Lars, the silver gleaming. “Now. Now would be very good.”

He nodded and went, supporting broad shoulders from the back. “I got you, I’ve got you. You can do this.”

A wild growl tore out of Lars, the air itself crackling with electricity.

“Hold it together; you crispy fry one of us, and it’s going to be a problem.” Sally snapped, and Bryant had never heard her talk quite so sharply.

“Sorry, sorry. Right. Keep your shit together. That’s a good idea.”

Sally met Bryant’s eyes, and he remembered what she told him back when this whole thing had started. His job was to support and to help Lars in this, to help keep everyone safe.

He wrapped Lars in his arms, supporting his back and helping Lars keep his magic in a containable space.

“I love you,” he murmured. “So much. You’re my everything, love.”

“Bah. You love Slippy and Andine more than me.” The teasing note in Lars’s voice told Bryant that the comfort and physical contact was working. He was already more in there, ready to get to the work of pushing.

It never ceased to amaze him, how, when Lars put his mind to it, he moved mountains.

There was little cursing, a lot of sweating, and some panic from Bryant, but Sally talked them through it, her voice calm. Steady.

He rubbed Lars’s back. “You got this, baby.”

Lars nodded, panting. “I do.”

Once Lars had figured out what he was doing, it only took two, maybe three good hard pushes, and it was over. All of this work, all of this pain, and suddenly Sally had a baby in her hands—a silvery baby dragon, mottled with bright red scales.

Almost immediately, Sally laid the baby on Lars’s chest. Lars hummed softly, body heavy against his, his face wreathed in smiles. “He’s here. Our Kaden’s here.”

“He’s beautiful. You’re beautiful. You’re both beautiful.” Bryant felt awe swell in his chest. His mate had done it! He’d had a baby.

They sat there with him holding Lars, quiet, just sort of resting together, and then Lars sighed. “We need to introduce him to Arthur. Then you can take him and introduce him to Logan and Lachlan and let Sally do her thing.”

“Yes, we’ll get the bed cleaned up and make you comfortable.” Sally’s voice was solid, sure, and he was grateful again for her presence. He felt like a wrung-out dishcloth, and no doubt Lars felt even worse.

Arthur appeared like magic, just beaming as his feathers fluttered. “Hello, family.”

Lars held one hand out to Arthur, drawing him over. He placed Arthur’s hand on the baby, and Bryant heard a soft ringing.

“I will defend you and your line for an eternity,” Arthur said.

“Of course you will, but first I need your help getting the sheets changed,” Sally said, her tone one of infinite practicality.

Bryant carefully wrapped Kaden up and brought him to the bedroom door, holding him gently, cradling the surprisingly heavy little one. “Uncle Logan. Uncle Lachlan. I would love to introduce you to your new nephew.”

They rushed over to look down at Kaden, both of them looking super proud.

“He’s beautiful.” Logan smiled and touched the baby’s forehead, a little spark of magic forming. “Welcome to our wing, little one.”

“Not so little,” Lachlan murmured.

Kaden’s pretty eyes opened wide and looking for all the world like they were staring right at Logan. Bryant didn’t think he actually was, but it was a neat illusion.

Lachlan’s wings ruffled. “He’s perfect. Should I go get a bottle for him? You know he’s going to be hungry.”

Bryant nodded. “That would be amazing.”

Lachlan beamed at them both. “I swear, he’s absolutely perfect.”

“Yes.” He stroked his son’s cheek, the scales so soft and so pretty. “Happy birthday, little boy. Happy birthday. We love you.”

Logan chuckled. “We so do. And you have the best dad in the world. Oh, and your alpha father isn’t so bad either.”

“Thanks,” Bryant said wryly. “I vow to do my best.”

“That is all we can ask.” Logan looked over his shoulder into the bedroom. “Right, Lars?”

Bryant glanced back to see his mate smiling at him as he let Sally change the linens around him. “You’ll be perfect, Bryant. I know you will be.”

“How?” Bryant asked, needing Lars’s answer.

“Because you’re my mate.” Lars laid back and closed his eyes, and that faith in him was amazing.

Bryant just kissed Kaden’s forehead. “Your dad knows best, little one. He always has.”