Thanks to all of the money I’d made over the years working as a hunter, I was able to chip in to help with the new house as well as buying us a cabin of our own up in Walnut Ridge, somewhere where we could go to visit often. We both agreed that staying in Pleasant Grove was what we wanted, but Eryne was firm in her decision that our children—plural, because she wanted this baby to grow up with a sibling—should grow up around other wolves, too.
It was still on the edge of town, backed up to the woods, giving me ample space to shift and run. Maybe one day, I’d teach our pups to run there too.
“You need torelax,” I told her.
She pouted, placing both hands on her bump. “What I need, is this babyout.”
“He’ll come out when he wants to, sugar.” I stood up, walking over to her and massaging her shoulders. “He’s just comfy in there.”
We’d tried everything to start her labor—curb walking, spicy food, and even sex. Thought I was willing to give the last one another shot.
“Comfy on my bladder,” she muttered. “Help me up so I can go to the bathroom, will you?”
I reached down, helping pull her to her feet. She took a few steps towards the door, rubbing her back as she waddled. My wolf wouldn’t let me take my eyes off of our pregnant mate, soI followed behind her closely, making sure I was there if she needed me.
Eryne gasped, clutching her belly. “Oh.” I rushed over to her, steadying her. She looked up at me, doing her best to look innocent. “It’s fine,” she reassured me. “I’m fine.” Except… shewasn’tfine, clearly. Her fingers dug into my arm where she held onto me, and she gritted her teeth as if in pain, baring down.
“Eryne.” My voice was stern. “Are you in labor?”
Her teeth worked into her lower lip. “Maybe?”
“How long have you been like this?” I looked at my watch, trying to time the contraction.
She winced. “A few hours? It wasn’t that bad at first. I didn’t think it was anything to worry about.” Eryne looked down at the wet spot spreading on her leggings. “And… I think my water just broke.”
I picked her up, carrying her over to the couch. “I should call the doctor.” And then I was getting her directly to the hospital.
“I just didn’t want them to tell me it was just a false alarm again.” Her lip stuck out in a pout, and I leaned forward to drop a kiss on her forehead.
“Everything is going to be okay, sugar,” I promised her. “We’re going to go meet our son, and then you’ll get to rest.”
She gripped my hand tight. “Promise?”
I ran my fingers under her chin, keeping those beautiful blue eyes on me. “Promise.”
“Knock, knock.”
I looked up to find my sister holding a stuffed wolf plush and a balloon, plus a bouquet of flowers. “Freya.” I smiled. “Want to come meet your nephew?” My words were a whisper.
Eryne was asleep in the hospital bed—still tuckered out after a long labor and birth. It had been a long night, but we’d welcomed him this morning a little after six am. We’d both barely put him down since I’d cut the cord and the nurses had cleaned him up, not wanting to be apart from our little boy. I had him cradled against my chest, sitting in the chair next to my mate’s bed.
Her parents had been by earlier, checking on us and doting on their first grandchild. I had no doubt my own would be the same once we made the trek up to Walnut Ridge in a few months.
“Oh, Bar. He’s adorable.” She kept her voice low as she came in, setting the gifts on a table. “I can’t believe I’m an aunt.” Freya came over to stand next to me.
“Meet Ronan Conrad Lockwood,” I said, looking down at my sleeping son and his fiery red hair. He was so small, but already so fierce. “Want to hold him?”
She nodded, and I transferred him into her arms. He let out a little cry as I settled him into Freya’s grasp, but just blinked up at her, his blue eyes taking in his aunt. “Maybe Mom will finally lay off of me about finding someone and having kids of my own now,” she said, rocking him slowly.
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Fat chance of that. I give it a few months before she’s asking Eryne and I when we’re having the next one.” I looked over at my wife.
She’d already expressed her desire to give Ronan a sibling one day—she’d grown up as an only child, and didn’t want our child to experience that same loneliness.
“Mmm.” Her eyes blinked open, sleepiness melting off her face as her eyes met mine.
“Look who came to say hi, Sugar,” I said, standing next to her bed and indicating to my sister. She was cooing over our baby, talking to him in a low voice.
Eryne sat up, and I helped reposition the pillows behind her back. I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, inhaling her sweet apple scent.
