“I think you’re hornier now than ever,” Vale said softly. “And they call pregnant omegas sluts. I think you’re just as much to blame for all the sex we have.”
“There’s nothing blameful about our sex,” Jason said. “It’s beautiful.”
“Of course, it is, darling. I just think it’s amusing that I barely have time to consider initiating it before you’ve already pounced on me.”
“You’re wolf-damned delicious. That’s why.”
Vale smiled sleepily, and Jason kissed the edge of his mouth. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Jason put his hand over Vale’s stomach. “And him.”
“Yes. He’s ours.”
Jason still sometimes had to fight off the cold waves of fear that gripped him, especially with this flu season looking worse and worse by the day. But he had become more optimistic about Vale’s chances as the weeks passed and he witnessed his omega’s body do its job of making room for their son.
If anything, the scars seemed more flexible than ever. Urho posited that the hormones that made Vale’s body malleable for the pregnancy also acted on the scar tissue. Jason’s constant fisting and fucking were also doing their jobs of keeping him well-stretched. In the dark of their bed, fresh from orgasm, Jason could almost believe he had no reason at all to be afraid.
His child…theirchild, and hisÉrosgápewere safe and healthy. Everything was beautiful. Their life was perfect. And Vale was going to be just fine.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Vale squirmed asUrho pressed the cold stethoscope against Vale’s chest. Urho hushed him and frowned.
“Everything all right?” Jason asked. His arm was around Vale’s shoulder, and his eyes stayed glued to where the stethoscope pressed against Vale’s skin. They were seated on the sofa in Vale’s study with Urho kneeling in front of them. Vale wore a soft button-up shirt—which was now open—and drawstring paternity pants. Jason was still in his dress pants and shirt, having just returned from his work in his father’s offices a few minutes before their appointment with Urho.
“Shh, I’m listening,” Urho hushed again. He moved the stethoscope down to press against Vale’s belly.
Jason radiated impatience.
Urho had seemed anxious lately, Vale had noticed. He didn’t think it was about him or the baby. In fact, it seemed tied to Xan’s move to Virona. That, along with Jason’s random hints, made Vale fairly sure that Urho and Xan had entered into a relationship of the most taboo kind.
Jason huffed. “You’ve been listening a long time. Is there a problem?”
Urho shot him a glare, closed his eyes, and counted softly under his breath. Then he sat back on his heels. “The babe is getting along just fine, but Vale’s blood pressure and heart rate are elevated. He’s stressed.”
“He’sright here,” Vale said testily, shifting on the sofa. His stomach had grown a lot over the prior weeks, and he could feel the child moving inside him. “I don’t like being talked about like I’m not present. I’m a grown man, for wolf-god’s own fucking sake.”
Jason clucked gently, stroking a soothing hand over Vale’s arm. “Don’t get upset. It’s not good for the baby.”
Vale glared at Jason irritably.
Jason swallowed hard and looked down, whispering, “But, of course, we’ll stop. Right away. I promise.”
Vale groaned and rubbed his bulging, shifting stomach. “Is it normal for him to do that?” he asked, referring to the baby. He knew it was normal for Jason to be overprotective. All alphas were. “He head-butts my ribs and then pushes with his feet against the mouth of my womb.”
“Perfectly normal.”
“Well, I wish he’d stop!”
Jason rubbed Vale’s shoulders and kissed his head.
“It’s preparation for the life to come,” Urho said. “Children rarely do what we wish they’d do. And, from what I’ve witnessed, their growth into adulthood is never without pain to the parent.”
Vale sniffed and closed his eyes. “That’s all fine and well, but I’m tired.”
“I can prescribe something gentle to help you rest.”
“Please do,” Jason said, his fingers kneading into Vale’s shoulders in a light massage. “He was up walking last night. Nothing soothed him. Not even his usual bedtime tea—the one with the herbs that make him drowsy.”
