by Sy Walker
“But Doc, he was here to help right on time. How did he know?”
“He didn’t. He was here just in case. It just so happened that this year was the year O’Hannon came.”
“I take it that he and O’Hannon have tangled before.”
“Oh, yes. Many times. Those two have made a sport for years out of beating the hell out of one another. There was no way for them to kill one another, but the things they have done to each other in the name of the sport would make some pretty brutal men wince.”
“How do you think O’Hannon finally figured out where you were?”
“Doc put the word out that I was here.”
“What? Why?”
“To lure him here and get it over with once and for all.”
“Devon! What if he had come in here, if he had hurt me or our baby?”
“He was never getting near you, Albert. Not only was Doc outside to help me, but if you had taken a closer look around, you’d have seen some quiet figures waiting in the nearby fields just waiting to see if they needed to get involved. My kinsmen were here. None of them could kill him, any more than Doc, but they are all capable fighters and could have done more than enough to protect you from him had it become necessary.”
“Why? Why now? Why would you risk this with our baby on the way so soon?”
“It was because of our baby that I risked it. I didn’t want either of us living in fear that our child might be harmed by O’Hannon. I’m capable of taking care of myself, as are my kinsmen, but a child. He will be vulnerable until he becomes a teen. He’ll be like any other baby, any other child, any other teen . . . until he turns sixteen. Then he’ll begin to notice certain changes that he can’t explain. It is then that I will begin teaching him what he needs to know to survive this world.”
Albert looked sad for a moment. The thought that his son would spend his life fighting and coping with the fact that he was a dragon shifter seemed like a horrible burden to him.
“It won’t be a burden,” Devon said, reminding him that he could read his mind once again. “With O’Hannon gone, there is no one to hunt him. There is no one that will know what he is or what he can do other than people who can’t do him any harm. They won’t try to harm him. There will be two of us and if he had children, we will grow again. We will become a clan of dragon shifters instead of just me.”
“What about other children? Will we have other children? Other shifters?”
“No. I’m afraid that is how we have come to the brink of extinction. A shifter can only have one child and that child will always be the same shifter that his father is. Only true mates can have a baby. My father and mother were true mates. You and I are true mates. That is how it works.”
“This is all so new and so very complicated, Devon.”
“Yes. I know it must be bewildering to you, but you’ve seen it for yourself. You know it to be true. You are a part of me now. You are a part of this life. Can you accept that and stay with me?”
“I can. I realized something today when I was watching you. I was terrified that something horrible would happen to you and it felt like the end of the world was approaching. I don’t know how or why, but somehow, in only these few days since we met, I’ve fallen completely in love with you.”
“I feel the same for you. I love you with all my heart, Albert. I love you and I love our unborn child. It’s going to be a fantastic life for us from now on.”
“I believe you.”
“Let’s go take a nap. I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted. Breathing fire takes a lot out of you, you know.”
“I imagine it does,” Albert laughed.
The couple climbed into bed, Devon curled around Albert’s back, his hand resting on their growing child within his center. The baby stirred about, getting impatient as he grew bigger and stronger, ready to enter the world and take it by storm. The pair drifted off to sleep, content to just be together.
The doctor returned daily to check on Albert, always spouting off expletives and playful insults. Albert had quickly learned to dismiss his rather crude nature and appreciate that he really did care about both of them and the baby. Finally, several days later, he showed up with a young female in tow and shuffled inside, pointing her toward the spare room where a portable procedure table had already been set up for the impending birth.
“Albert, this is my assistant, Madeline. She’s a great looking tart for a four hundred year old, wouldn’t you say?”
“Shut your dirty old mouth, you filthy animal,” Madeline barked back at him as she prepared the room for Albert’s delivery.
“It’s nice to meet you, Madeline,” Albert said to her nervously. He was, in fact, scared quite shitless at the thought of having his insides opened up and a baby plucked out from within. Madeline smiled at him kindly and walked over, taking his hand in hers and patting it softly.
“Don’t worry, darling. The doctor is batshit crazy, but he’s an excellent surgeon. You are in the very best hands. I promise you that it will all be okay.”
“Thank you,” Albert said, feeling only a modicum better.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Why do you always feel compelled to assure my patients that I’m a qualified doctor. I have a fucking medical degree. In fact, I have quite a few from over the centuries thanks to these bastards always having to make sure I’ve a proper license out in the real world. I should have given up practice to mere mortals years ago, but it’s just so much fun to screw with some of the insolent bastards.”
“I don’t even want to know what that means,” Albert replied.
“You’re spot on about that. Now, let’s get you undressed. I’m going to need to splice open your cock for the delivery.”
Albert looked terrified for a moment. Madeline reached over and popped the doctor in the back of the head without warning and scowled at him.
“Stop being a dick. Can’t you see the man is already petrified at having you as a doctor?”
“Fine. I’m sorry, Albert. Here is what is going to happen. We’ll do this just like you see them do C sections on women. A thin slice, poke around a little and pull the little dragon out. Then, I’ll sew you up and you’ll mend in a matter of days.”
“Um, anesthesia?”
“Yes and plenty of it. In fact, I may have some myself if I’m going to have to deal with this old codgy bastard the rest of the day,” Madeline interjected.
“I’ll show you codgy later on when we are done with his surgery,” Doc told her.
“In your dreams, crypt keeper,” Madeline shot back, causing the doctor to laugh. Albert glanced toward the front room as the entrance door opened and Devon appeared. It was a relief to see that he was there.
“Alright. The gangs all here. Let’s get us a baby going.”
Devon held Albert’s hand as Madeline began applying the anesthesia that would block the pain of the surgery. They held one another’s gaze the entire time the procedure was taking place. All in all, it took only a matter of minutes once all of the preparations were in place and they were ready to deliver the baby. Albert watched as a healthy baby boy was pulled from his center and held up into the air. The cord was cut and he began crying loudly as the doctor handed him over to Albert to lay on his chest.
“There you go! Let’s get you sewn back up and . . . oh shit, where’s my watch?”
Everyone looked at him as he looked around with a puzzled expression and then pretended to reach inside of Albert and retrieve his watch which actually had been laying behind him the entire time.
“Oh, right. There it is. Now, let’s get you sewn up.”
Everyone laughed as he finished up the procedure and Madeline bandaged the wound. After they were sure he was recovering okay, they left with instructions to contact them if there were problems. Devon and Albert settled in with their new son, admiring his straight nose and bright green eyes.
“Isn’t he just perfect?” Albert said.
“Just remember that when he’s se
venteen and you get called to school because he accidentally had a hormonal shift that would just give most boys a woody, but caused him to burn down the locker room,” Devon told him.
“Oh, God. I hope you are kidding.”
Devon smiled at him and kissed him softly, the baby cradled between them, cooing softly in his sleep. Albert found that he couldn’t think of anything more perfect than this. A week ago, it felt as if his life was in ruins and he might never find a man to be happy with and then one had just fallen into his lap that was turning out to be the most perfect man he could imagine ever knowing. This might be the strangest situation he had ever found himself in, but it was also the most incredibly wonderful thing that had ever happened to him.
“I love you so much, Devon.”
“I love you too, Albert. I’m looking forward to our lives together.”
Albert never regretted the one-night stand that had brought the two of them together. Their lives were filled with all the love and excitement any couple could ever ask for. There was nothing else he could ever ask for. As the years passed, their son grew to be strong and capable. Many days were spent in the back yard with his fathers, one teaching him how to do things like breathe fire and control its direction. The other teaching him to appreciate the plants and flowers, showing him how feed small animals and be kind to them.
As the years continues, Albert grew older while Devon and their son barely changed. One day, he knew that his time on this Earth would pass and he would leave them behind to continue on for all eternity, but he could honestly say that he wouldn’t trade the time he had with them for an ordinary life with anyone else.
THE END
RETURN TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS
Billionaire Wolf’s Baby
“I know that this is going to be hard for you, Mr. Savage. I can still call my cousin and have him come over and keep you company for the duration of my absence. Normally, I wouldn’t even bother to leave you alone, but this is a matter of a family emergency.”
My butler George was a god honest English transplant that had the accent and the manners to go with his dapper attire. He stood there at the doorway making it sound like I couldn’t do anything for myself.
“You need to be there for your family. The one thing that I know about is what it means to have someone that loves you unconditionally.” I shuddered at the very notion of the memory of blood on my hands. “It’s not like you’re going to be gone forever. You’re only going to see your family, and then you’ll be right back. I figure a week at best and at the very least a few days. I’m sure that I can take care of myself. I am a big boy and it’s not like I don’t know how to make my own meals.”
“I would stand here and argue with you, but that storm doesn’t look like it’s going to miss us after all. I need to get to the Airport. I’m grateful for the lone of your Learjet. I still have to go through customs, but at least I don’t have to be stuck beside a chatty Cathy or a crying baby.” He opened the door and he had to push back against the wind that had picked up. We were on the outskirts of the Colorado state, and I had purposely bought this place, so that I could have the privacy that I deserved.
“Have a good time and tell your folks that I wish them well. If there is anything that I can do or if there’s a doctor that I can have flown in, then by all means there is no expense that is too extravagant. You are my family. You’ve have been with me through all my trials and you’ve see me at my lowest. I don’t know why you didn’t go screaming into the night, but I’m glad that you didn’t.” He was only 40 years old, but he had the wisdom of an old soul.
I went to the window and watched, as the taxi winded down the road leading back to the main highway. There was already that first flake in the air. I shuddered to remember what I had done. I’m usually able to keep my emotions in check, but snowstorms bring back the worst in me. I think that I had a form of post traumatic stress disorder, but I’d never gone to a therapist to find out for sure.
The lights of the taxi slowly vanished and then I stood there alone wearing a black suit that only an undertaker would wear. I’d always been under the impression that a man should dress for success. I didn’t go to the office and my office was the one that I had made specifically for my needs. The renovations on this place were extravagant and when I found it, it was on its last legs. I’d brought it back to its glory and then some. The white marble floors were a bit much, but I liked to surround myself in opulence.
The house was of a Victorian age. It had several rooms that I had yet to explore. I kinda liked the solitude, but it was that awkward silence that always gets me into trouble. My hands were trembling and I know that it’s just a matter of time. The full moon had always been an old wives’ tale. I didn’t need anything for the transformation, other than my own emotions to fuel that rage within.
My brown Gucci loafers slapped noisily against the floor, as I made my way into an almost pristine condition kitchen. I’d never cooked in there myself, but there was always a first time for everything. I went to the fridge and I opened the door to find several Tupperware Containers already marked like I was some kind of child. I had to smile at how George was one step ahead of me.
I decided on the pot roast with the vegetables mixed in for good measure. I could use the microwave, but I instead I took my bounty over to the stove. It takes me a moment to adjust to the many dials, but I finally get the hang of it. I sat in the kitchen at the table with my hands firmly on the wood grain. I looked out at the window and I saw that the snow had been steadily picking up from the moment that I first saw the first flake.
Not even bothering with utensils, I tore into the meat that falls from the bone. I don’t normally let this part of my inner personality run rampant, but without George to rein me in, I could do practically whatever I wanted. It’s exactly the way I liked it dripping with blood and the sauce that he had concocted dances on my palate. I devoured it like a man possessed, feeling slightly ashamed of my behavior, but also knowing that it was perfectly natural in the animal kingdom.
I had a bottle of red wine and I polished off the entire thing. I wiped my hand across my mouth at the end of the meal. I didn’t like what I became when I’m left to my own devices. I don’t believe in television and the only form of entertainment was my many books in my collection in my library.
I went down the hall and I looked at those rows of books and I knew that I would never be able to read all of them in my lifetime. I had begun to read war and peace and I found the author to have a knack for storytelling that took me into a world of his making.
I saw the photos of my parents. I turned away in disgust, as I felt that their eyes were judging me, even in their death. I could almost hear their words and I had to put my hands over my ears to block out the tirade that makes me feel two feet tall. I don’t even know why I keep their photos around. It’s a dangerous reminder and only tempts fate into taking me down a road that I would rather not take. I’d done everything I could to change after that day, but sometimes the animal within gets the best of me.
I heard the doorbell chime with a gong that was meant to be heard throughout the house. It’s an echoing blast, which is followed by somebody pounding relentlessly on the door. It had turned into a full blown blizzard. Whoever was out here in that was a damn fool. I’m tempted to ignore it, but my curiosity makes me take a few steps closer towards the door. I stopped momentarily to look at my reflection in the mirror by the door. I saw a man that had lived like nobody had ever lived before. I’d seen and done it all, and the experience is evident from the wisps of gray hair that have begun to sprout throughout my black mane.
“I need help…my car broke down and I can’t see anything for miles. It was only lucky that I saw the light in this house.” I didn’t like visitors. Strangers were the worst of them all. They were always very talkative, where I was more the strong and silent type.
Taking a breath through my nose and out through my mouth, I finally steeled myself for the necess
ity of idle chitchat. I unlocked the door, flung it open, only to be pushed by a man in a white parka. He looked like the abominable snowman. My considerable strength was no match for the wind that was trying to knock us both off our feet.
He took off the hood. He showed me the blond hair and the piercing blue eyes. I knew that I was a goner.
Chapter two
I followed the trail of clothes going into the living room. His gloves, his hat and his jacket were thrown haphazardly like he really didn’t care about personal etiquette. It was kind of galling to think that he could treat my home like that. I should have grabbed him by the throat and throttled him for his behavior, but instead I stared at his jean clad ass bending over in front of that huge fireplace.
“It’s really coming down out there. My god…this fire feels, so damn good on my hands.” His hair was down to his shoulders and he had to be 160 pounds with a kind of swimmers physique that would look good without any clothes on. “I’m lucky that you were here, or I might have had to do something drastic like break in to find shelter.” His black pullover turtleneck hugged his frame and it was tight enough to let me know what he was working with. He pulled out his cell phone. He had this exasperated look on his face, as he raced around the room with it stretched out in front of him. Wouldn’t you know it…no damn signal to be had anywhere. I guess I’m stuck here, until the storm blows over.” He was about my height at 5’10, but what we didn’t have in common was a sophisticated taste for the finer things in life.
“I’m not usually one to have visitors, but I suppose if it’s a matter of life and death. I’ll go and see if I can’t find something for you for nourishment. Make yourself comfortable and I’ll be right back. I do hope that wine is to your liking. I’m afraid that I do not have any beer in the house.” I did not mean to make it sound like I was a snooty snob, but I had learned that life was nothing without the pleasantries to go along with it.
