“You’ve had a fight,” she said. “About the claiming bite, haven’t you? I know Shawn wanted to be claimed, and I know you’ve not done it yet, and the fact that you’ve called me means you’re still worried about how it will affect him. Right?”
I nodded, barely able to look her in the eye. “It’s just…” I cleared my throat. “I mean… We know he shouldn't be able to shift while he's pregnant. But what if something happens and he does?”
“It’s a biological impossibility. The worst that could happen is Shawn may feel lightheaded or dizzy. How did you feel, Bryce?”
“Fine. Better than fine actually,” Bryce said.
“But just because—”
“Linc, I understand your concerns, I do, but the bite will not affect Shawn adversely, and it absolutely won’t hurt the baby. I told you this.”
“Yes, I know. I just…”
“You were worried, just like any good alpha should be about his omega, so let me explain something else, so you have all the facts on the table. Pregnancy always comes with risks. Nicole had a really easy time with Cole as I recall it, so you might not be aware of how things can go wrong, but ultimately they usually turn out fine.”
“It's the usually I'm worried about,” I mumbled.
“Taking the claiming bite off the table because that isn’t an issue, if Shawn were to have any other normal health issues that puts a pregnancy into a high risk category, we would immediately put him on bedrest and observation. There are protocols to deal with these things, and plenty of tests we could run to assess the health of the baby, and of Shawn. You have an entire team of wolf shifter medical staff, myself included, who would be giving him top medical care—and Shawn would have the entire hospital staff waiting on him hand and foot, I'm sure. You would really have nothing, or very little, to worry about.”
I realized I'd been holding my breath and let it out in one, long gust. “What the hell have I been so worried about then?” I shook my head then groaned, covering my face with my hands.
Jaxon chuckled and put a hand on my back, patting me gently. “Don’t beat yourself up about it. Like Maddie said, it’s your job to worry.”
“Actually, not everyone knows this, or wants to admit it, but pregnancy hormones actually affect both parents,” Maddie said with a smug smile.
I growled in resistance to that idea, but I had to admit it made a lot of sense. I’d been on edge since Shawn had told me he was pregnant.
“Thanks, Maddie,” Jaxon said warmly. “I think that's all we needed to know.”
“My pleasure.” She smiled then stood and gathered her things. Jaxon went to show her out, but she stopped for a moment and said, “Call me, Linc. Seriously, any time you have a concern. It can help to talk to a professional.”
I grinned and waved, not wanting to promise I would, but glad of the offer.
When Jaxon returned to sit with us, I took a deep breath and grimaced. “I should have listened to her the first time around. Now I may have ruined my chance with Shawn.”
“I doubt it. Gavin has been keeping me informed, and he said Shawn looks miserable, and it’s obvious he misses you.”
“He hasn’t been answering any of my texts…”
“But he’s been talking to Cole.”
My heart thumped. “He has? How do you know?”
“Cole told Liam, and Liam told us. Apparently Shawn has been asking Cole about you.”
“So why hasn’t Cole said anything about it to me?”
“I don’t know. Better talk to your son,” Bryce said, putting a hand on my knee and squeezing it in sympathy and understanding.
I groaned again, realizing how much of a fuck up I’d made of this.
“So, are you ready to claim Shawn now?” Jaxon asked directly.
I looked at him, and then at Bryce. My wolf pawed at my chest more than ready for me to claim my mate. I swallowed, and then nodded. “Hell yes. I need to get my mate back.”
I picked up Cole from school and filled him in on the plan, though I didn’t question him about his conversations with Shawn or why he hadn’t told me. I suppose he would eventually, and it must have been hard for him to be pulled between loyalties like that. I knew Cole loved Shawn as much as he loved me.
He bounced in the back seat and let out a series of excited howls as we made our way home, where we set up an extra surprise before we headed out to the Lodge. By the time we got there, half the pack had gathered and everyone was busy decorating the hall, setting up seating, and hauling in booze.
“How did you manage to get all of this done so soon?” I asked.
“Alpha's orders,” Jaxon said as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
“And hey, we love to welcome a new member to the pack,” Gavin added as he walked up to us, hauling a case of beer under his arm.
“Shit, I hope this works.” I looked around at the spectacle they'd put together. The rafters were covered in gold, flowing silk that had been embroidered by members of our pack hundreds of years ago. Tables lined the hall, decked with flowers and carved stone statues. Jaxon had put on a show when he’d claimed Bryce, but I think this beat it, hands down, but then perhaps I was biased.
Gavin slapped my back. “If my time listening to sappy love songs has taught me anything, it's that a grand gesture like this always works.”
I swallowed nervously and felt my wolf whimper inside me. “I sure hope you're right.”
Cole and I helped with the rest of the set-up, hauling in furniture and setting up the sound system. The manual labor kept my mind calm, and eventually, my nerves were under control.
Cole was speaking loudly into a microphone for the sound test when Jaxon pulled me aside.
“Gavin and Nicole have just picked up Shawn from work. Gavin said Shawn was reluctant to 'come for dinner', but he's coming anyway… They're getting LuLu, then heading straight here,” he said.
My stomach churned and my heart started racing. I took a deep breath and put a hand on Jaxon's shoulder to support myself. “What if he says no? What if he won't take me back?”
“We’ve got you,” he said, putting a hand on the small of my back and leading me outside. I swallowed and nodded while letting him lead me through the front doors of the Lodge. The sun had almost disappeared and the tops of the trees looked jet black against the dusky twilight sky. The outside of the Lodge was strung up with fairy lights and lanterns, and the road was lined with fire torches, all the way to the gate of the homestead.
My wolf whined nervously as I watched the glow of headlights coming into view at the gates. As they drew closer, I listened to the crunch of the tires and knew it was Gavin's car. I held my breath and was about to step forward, out of Jaxon's grip, when I felt a tugging on my sleeve. I looked down and found it was Cole.
“Dad,” Cole said quietly, holding up a big bouquet of flowers he grabbed off one of the tables. “You should give this to Shawn.”
My heart almost broke into a million pieces at how precious he was. “Thanks, kiddo,” I said, wiping away a tear then taking the flowers from him. He gave me a big cheesy grin, and then stood behind Jaxon's legs. Jax chuckled and gave me a slap on the back.
The car pulled up and I could barely see through the glass, but my heart fluttered when I thought I caught a glimpse of a silhouette of Shawn’s profile in the back window. My legs felt weak and my stomach was churning while time moved slowly. I watched as Nicole hopped out of the passenger side door before going to open the back door. One at a time, Shawn's feet hit the ground—ground that would rightfully belong to him too, if he accepted my proposal. An instant later, he appeared.
My wolf lunged forward. I stumbled, almost fell, and hurried over to him.
“Linc—” He covered his mouth as he took in the lights and beauty of the Lodge. “Linc, this is—”
Before he could go on, I held out the flowers… And dropped to one knee.
18
Shawn
I had to remind myself to breath
e. Linc was on one knee, the Lodge was lit up like it was Disneyland, and my stomach was fluttering like I was about to get on a highspeed rollercoaster. I looked down at the man who had given me so much grief over the last week. I had missed him, really missed him, but his texts simply hadn’t been enough for me to forgive him, but this… As our eyes met, my heart ached, and I wanted to throw myself into his arms. He looked at me, not only with genuine remorse, but a whole lot of true love.
“I'm so sorry for being stupid and saying all the wrong things,” he said, his voice sincere.
I lowered my hands and slowly took the bouquet he held out. “This is a lot of effort for a simple apology,” I said as I sniffed at the roses.
Linc grinned and nodded then held out his left hand. I looked down and wet my lips. Was he serious?
“If you can forgive me I want to show you how much I love you. I always have, and though I haven’t really shown it in the past, I will always be here for you. So, Shawn Drocella, my love, my mate, may I claim you tonight?”
As our hands touched, I felt light headed. I'd been holding my breath again, and as I remembered to exhale, it came out as a high-pitched squeal. “Yes!” I cried, barely able to contain my excitement.
Linc planted a single kiss on the back of my left hand, then stood and threw his arms around me. The bouquet was crushed between us, sending up a waft of rose that made me even more lightheaded. I let myself melt into the hug, and reveled in the feeling of my baby bump pressing against my baby’s daddy.
“Oh, Linc, I missed you so much,” I whispered as I pushed my face against his neck and took in his smell.
“I've been lost without you,” he mumbled.
I pulled back and pressed my lips against his in a soft, needy kiss before looking up at him seriously. “What changed your mind about the ceremony?”
“Being without you was too much to bear,” he said quietly. “Also, I spoke to Jaxon and Bryce, who insisted I talk to Maddie again. She put my fears to rest once and for all.”
I spotted Jaxon silhouetted by the bright lights streaming out from the Lodge’s doorway. He had a huge smile on his face, and Cole was peeking out from behind his legs. Suddenly, the kid ran over and hugged me around my belly.
“Hey Cole!” I said, crouching down and pulling him into a proper hug. “I missed you.”
He squeezed me tight. “I missed you too. Then he looked up at his dad. “Um, Dad, I’ve been talking to Shawn and—”
Linc nodded. “I know, and that’s fine. Thank you for telling me.”
“I played him a song on the radio as well.” Cole’s face turned a little pink, and then he buried his face in my neck. I looked over his shoulder and found Linc beaming at us, his arm around Jaxon's shoulder. The pack leader smiled at me warmly, and he held his arms out to me as I stood and led Cole over to them.
I hugged Jaxon and I felt something stirring deep in my heart as he welcomed me to the pack.
“We're so happy you want to join us,” he said.
“Thank you for accepting me.”
He nodded, and then stood back as Linc threaded my arm through the crook in his. The two of us stepped into the Lodge, and I gasped. Again I felt so light headed I needed to hold tightly to Linc's arm. The large hall was decorated with elaborate florals; it was like walking into a spring greenhouse. The rafters were strewn with ivy, hollyhock and grape vines. Bunches of full, richly-scented roses dotted the greenery, and the whole room smelled heady. Long, communal tables with benches spanned the hall and cascading displays of flowers and fairy lights billowed down their middles as center pieces. I placed my slightly crushed bouquet on the nearest table, and it immediately blended in with the overabundance of spray roses.
I turned to Linc and could barely see him for the tears that welled in my eyes. “Linc, this is beautiful.”
“It's all for you,” he said, leaning over and pressing his lips against my cheek.
“I can't… I can't believe…” I looked out at the pack who was about to become my family. Everyone was hurrying around, fixing up finishing touches. Kids were laughing and chasing each other through the aisles, wielding flowers and breadsticks like swords. Even people I'd never met, who knew nothing about me, were here, putting in work to make my special day even more special. I put a hand on my chest and took a deep breath. It was exactly the type of community I had always wanted to be part of.
After I’d changed into the tuxedo Linc had got me, which fitted over my baby bump perfectly, Linc and I stood under an arbor of bright red roses within a crescent of oversized ceremonial candles. The lights of the hall had been dimmed, and we were in the spotlight of the flames' radiance. Linc, his face softened under the orange glow, looked like a hopeful young boy, and the eagerness in his eyes tugged at my heart. The pack had crowded in close around us, but everyone was quiet and attentive.
Jaxon stepped into the crescent of candles and took his place behind us. Linc reached out and took my hands, and I felt his fingers trembling just as nervously as mine were. We shared a shy smile as Jaxon cleared his throat and began the ceremony.
“We are here to accept our friend, Shawn Drocella, as a wolf shifter of the Timberwood Pack,” he announced, and I felt a shiver roll up my spine.
“Shawn has come to us as the fated mate of our own much-loved Lincoln Travers. The connection between the two of them is undeniable, and I invite the couple to now share heartfelt words before we commence the ceremony.”
I felt light headed again, and again I remembered to breathe. My heart thudded, and the roar of my pulse in my ears almost drowned out what Linc was saying.
“I've loved you since the very first moment I saw you,” he said, then he cleared his throat as his voice broke. “Which means I've loved you before I even really knew you. But knowing you as I do now, I love you even more. I can't wait to learn more about you as we grow old together… And I can't wait to meet your wolf!”
A loud howl of excitement came from the back of the crowd and the pack laughed before quickly quieting down. I smiled and felt my cheeks flushing as I remembered that so many eyes were on me.
“I…” I shook my head, stuck finding the words. “There's… Oh, there's just so much I want to say!”
Linc squeezed my hands encouragingly.
“We didn't give him much time to prepare,” Jaxon explained, and the crowd chuckled in understanding.
I swallowed nervously and looked down at my hands, holding tightly to Linc's. If I imagined it was just him and me in this beautifully decorated room, maybe I could squeak out a few words…
“I love you, Linc. Part of me is still in disbelief that wolf shifters exist—even after meeting so many of you! But those feelings of disbelief are nowhere near as strong as my desire to be with you… I want to be with you, Linc. Tied to you, bonded to you—forever.” I looked up from our joined hands and saw tears streaking down Linc's face. A sob escaped my lips as felt my own tears starting to trickle down my cheeks.
“Let's began,” Jaxon said, and the pack cheered.
Linc beamed at me, and we stepped closer to each other. I felt the energy in the air beginning to change. I nervously touched the spot on my neck where Linc was going to bite me. Bryce had assured me that any pain I felt would fade as quickly as my wolf came into my body, but I wasn’t so sure… I glanced around nervously as Linc stepped closer and held me in his arms.
“Are you ready?” he whispered.
My heart pounded.
“Are you ready, Shawn?”
I glanced around at the pack again, these people who were shifters, all of whom were looking at me eagerly. Linc touched my cheek and drew my gaze back to him. As our eyes met, all of my fear melted away. My alpha was here, right here with me, and I knew I was completely safe with him. I'd follow him anywhere.
“I'm ready,” I said. Linc gave me one more reassuring smile and pulled me in close.
“I love you,” Linc said close to my ear, and I immediately tilted my neck back, exposi
ng the skin for him to bite. I squeezed my eyes shut and held my breath, waiting for the pain.
A tiny sting flushed across my neck and then faded to nothing. I waited. Everything was quiet. I was about to open my eyes to see what had gone wrong, when it appeared to me…
Out of the darkness behind my eyes, a wolf approached me. Its thick fur was stark white with gray patches along its back, flank, and its lengthy, thin legs. Its snout was long and defined, and its nose was velvety black. As it grew closer I caught its gaze. Suddenly, a shock of recognition moved through me and I almost fell over. Its eyes were the same as mine. It was like looking in the mirror, deep into my own self.
It sat before me and lowered its head in greeting. I moved forward and ran a hand over the top of its head. It felt warm and strong, and I liked how it made me feel strong. It looked up, and I knelt to run my hands over its jaw and its thick, beautiful neck.
“Wow,” I whispered.
My wolf lapped at my neck where I’d received my bite, and the next thing I knew, it was nudging its head against my chest, softly at first, and then with all its strength. I stumbled backward, not sure what it wanted. The wolf growled, baring its teeth, and nudged me again. I was two seconds away from panicking when I remembered something else Bryce had said. This was my wolf, and I commanded it.
“Stop!” I ordered.
It immediately looked up at me and our eyes connected. Again, I was shocked I was looking at myself. But the wolf did exactly what I told it to. After a second it whined, and this time I knew what it wanted.
“Alright,” I whispered, accepting my wolf. “Come in.”
I closed my eyes, surrendered to the push, and let my wolf become part of me.
When I opened my eyes, Linc was staring down at me.
“Am I…” I whispered, half delirious.
Linc laughed and planted a kiss on my cheek. “Yes, the claiming bite took. Did you feel your wolf?”
“Yes, it’s inside me now. I can feel him.” I touched my chest in awe, then smiled up at Linc. Then I wrapped my hands around my swollen stomach. “Wow, I can feel my cub too, it’s as if our bond is stronger now.”
Surprised Daddy Page 17
