by L. C. Davis
YURI
It was a week before the mating ceremony that would join the Red River and Cold Water packs forever with the union of Zane and Lita, and Yuri was pregnant enough that getting out of chairs had become his greatest challenge in life. His feet were swollen and with Benjamin helping an Alpha in a neighboring pack manage some crisis with an omega they had recently taken in, Yuri's morning sickness was in full swing. Nonetheless, he had eagerly offered to help Lita fold place cards when she asked.
In retrospect, the other omega hadn't so much asked as she had mentioned offhandedly that the friend who was supposed to help her had canceled at the last minute, but Yuri was determined to settle things between them before Lita left to join Zane's pack. She had been less than enthusiastic about accepting the offer, but a nudge from Sue had sealed the deal and Yuri found himself sitting across the table from his sister-in-law, suddenly grateful for the piles of decorative paper stock that served as a barrier between them.
Yuri looked down at the growing pile of folded cards in front of him and realized that he was going to have to be the first one to talk. Lita hadn't said a word in the last ten minutes. "These are beautiful," he said, deciding to start small as he traced the curve of the filigree around the edges of the card.
"Thanks," she said in the same polite but icy tone she had used with him ever since his return. He couldn't blame her for her distance, of course. He didn't know why Benjamin and the others had accepted him so completely after his obstinate behavior, but he couldn't stand the idea of letting her leave without at least trying to make amends.
Yuri cleared his throat. "Lita, I understand why you don't like me. Believe me, I do. You have every reason to hate me after everything I put Benjamin through."
She looked up from her cards for the first time and frowned. "I don't dislike you," she said carefully. "Besides, it doesn't matter what I think. You're my brother's mate."
"And you're his sister," Yuri murmured. "That's why it does matter. I know I didn't just hurt Benjamin when I left. I hurt all of you, and I'm going to spend the rest of my life trying to make that right. I know I don't deserve as many chances as I've been given to be part of this family, but I was hoping you might have it in your heart to give me another one anyway."
Lita looked down at the table, absently folding the edges of one of the extra pieces of cardstock. She was silent for a long while, and each second that passed without an acceptance made Yuri more certain there was a refusal on the way. Finally, she sighed and her shoulders sagged in resignation. "I guess I haven't been very welcoming," she said, looking up at Yuri under dark lashes. "But I think I have been a hypocrite."
Yuri frowned. "What do you mean?"
"When you left, I said something awful to Benjamin," she murmured, looking down at the table in shame. "I know it hurt him, but he forgave me. He's never done anything but look out for me, for all of us. I guess I'm just a little overprotective of his feelings, but if he can forgive me for what I said, I don't really have a right to hold it against you."
"Whatever it is, I'm sure Benjamin knows you didn't mean it."
Lita watched him closely for a moment. "I did at the time," she murmured. "I told him he didn't know what it was like to have a destined mate, but I can see now that I was wrong about that." She smiled a little. "We've both made some mistakes where he's concerned. What do you say we start over?"
"I'd like that. A lot."
"Good, because there are a lot more of these cards than I thought," she said, eying the massive stack.
"I'll make some more coffee," Yuri decided, pushing himself up from the table.
"Careful," Lita said with a laugh. "You're going to fall over."
"Laugh now, it'll be your turn soon enough," Yuri teased.
"Any idea what you're going to name him?"
"What makes you so sure it's a him?"
Lita grinned. "Just a feeling."
Chapter 35
BENJAMIN
Time had never been something Benjamin paid much mind to. One day had a way of flowing lazily into the next in an idyllic pack where the gravest concern was usually a minor squabble between betas. The homecoming of Benjamin's omega had changed all that. It seemed like every time the Alpha blinked, another month had passed in his mate's pregnancy. He had once believed it would be impossible for the omega to become any more beautiful, but every time he caught a glimpse of Yuri, it seemed the omega had a brighter glow than ever.
That night, as Benjamin walked out onto the hill where his entire pack had gathered not long ago, his eyes scanned the crowd of Alphas who had gathered from all the Council packs to celebrate his induction, but there was only one omega he wanted to see. It had been eight full hours since he had last laid eyes on his mate, but it might as well have been eight days.
"Looking for someone?" Heinrich's voice was full of amusement, making it clear that he knew exactly who his son was searching for. Benjamin turned and smiled, distracted but not deterred from his goal. The man standing in front of him looked more like his father than he had in the better part of a year. The doctors had switched his medication, and while Dr. Cole had warned that he wasn't out of the woods yet, the prognosis was that the Alpha would be able to enjoy many years of retirement with his grandchildren and his good health.
"You know I am," Benjamin said dryly. "Where's your better half?"
"By the refreshment table, lecturing the incubators of her future grandchildren, the last I checked," he teased.
Benjamin sighed. Lita's announcement had come not long after the mating ceremony. "Zane doesn't waste any time, does he?"
"You don't have much room to talk, son," Heinrich reminded him. "Edgar says he's doing well with the new construction project. He's only shot himself with the nail gun three times now."
Benjamin let out a low whistle. "Color me impressed."
"Evening, gentlemen."
Benjamin turned to find himself facing the verum Alpha himself. Barnabas had his infant daughter in his arms, the newest addition to the Silver Lake Pack. He might have been one of the older Alphas in the Council, in addition to being their leader, but fatherhood looked good on him. The Alpha looked younger and livelier than Benjamin could remember, ever since he had lost his first mate years earlier.
"Barnabas," Benjamin said, giving the girl in the other Alpha's arms a warm smile. "This must be Cara."
"Cameron's sorry he couldn't be here, but he hasn't been feeling too well with this pregnancy, so I decided to take this little one off his hands for the night," Barnabas said, gazing down at his daughter in adoration. "I came to offer congratulations for the both of us."
"I didn't know Cameron was pregnant again. Looks like there's plenty of congratulating to go around," Benjamin said, giving Barnabas' hand a firm shake.
"I'll let you two catch up," said Heinrich, patting Barnabas on the shoulder. "It was good to see you again, Barnabas. You let me know the next time you're in the territory and feel like getting embarrassed on the golf course."
Barnabas rolled his eyes, growing serious after the man left. "He's doing well. I haven't seen him look this good in years."
"Two grandchildren on the way has certainly lifted his spirits," Benjamin said with a laugh.
"And yours, too," Barnabas mused. He hesitated for a moment and seemed unsure of what he was about to say."
"Go on," Benjamin urged. "The verum Alpha doesn't need to mince his words," he said with a wry tone.
Barnabas chuckled. "I'm just happy for you, that's all. Truth be told, I was a bit wary after the way things turned out with Cameron, then Jesse. If any other Alpha had been party to three arranged matings that fell through, I might have worried about his loyalty to the Council. But you? That was never really even a question," he admitted. "I just figured I should tell you how much I appreciate that."
"That means a lot, Barnabas," Benjamin said, finally spotting his mate across the room. His heart clenched as Yuri turned around and their eyes met through the cro
wd. The delicate smile that spread across the omega's lips made him forget how to breathe. He cleared his throat and turned back to Barnabas, struggling to grab onto his last thought. One look at Yuri had a way of wiping them all from his mind. "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
Barnabas followed Benjamin's gaze through the crowd and gave a knowing laugh, shaking his head. "Nothing at all. Have a good evening, Benjamin, and enjoy these last few weeks alone with your mate. You're not going to sleep for a while, but trust me, it's worth the memories."
Benjamin nodded his thanks to the other Alpha and wasted no time heading in Yuri's direction. The truth was, with Yuri in his bed, he had long since decided that sleep was overrated anyway. By the time he made it through the thick crowd, sidetracked by well-meaning well-wishers, Yuri was gone.
A familiar tinge of panic worked its way into Benjamin's heart, but before his rational mind could kick in, someone tapped his shoulder. He turned to find himself looking down at Yuri and his chest tightened for an entirely different reason.
"May I have this dance?" the omega asked with a glint of amusement in his eyes.
"Isn't that my line?" Benjamin asked, sweeping Yuri into his arms and into step with the other dancers. The slow dance was a bit difficult with Yuri's belly in the way, but they had managed far more intimate embraces.
"You Council wolves have so many events, it's hard to keep track," said Yuri. "Are you officially an official Alpha now? Officially?"
Benjamin laughed. "Yes, and you're one of us now, so you'd better get used to the pomp and circumstance."
"I think I can adjust," Yuri said with a dazzling smile. His brows knit and his serene expression turned to one of pain suddenly as his hand slipped out of Benjamin's and came to rest on his stomach. "Oh..."
"What's wrong?" Benjamin asked, reaching out to steady his mate.
Yuri let out a deep breath. "I don't know. Just a sharp pain. I knew I shouldn't have had that second piece of cake..."
"What's wrong with him?" Sue's voice was high and shrill as she pushed her way through the crowd that was already starting to stare. Benjamin didn't know how she had spotted their peril, but he had ceased to question her maternal instincts long ago. She quickly brushed her son aside and turned to inspect her son-in-law. "Are you alright, dear?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, it's just -- ow," Yuri whimpered, clutching his side.
"I think he's having contractions," said Sue.
Benjamin's pulse clamored in his ears. "But he's not due for another two-and-a-half weeks."
Sue gave him a look. "You weren't due for three weeks when you decided to crash my Halloween ball. Call the doctor."
Chapter 36
BENJAMIN
"Is it normal to not be able to feel your feet?" Benjamin asked as he stood in the hallway outside the Cold Water Clinic, sipping the drink his father had offered him. He grimaced at the bitter taste. "Is this liquor?"
"Bourbon, and yes, it's normal," the older Alpha said with a laugh. "I passed out when you were born. That was before your mother kicked me out."
"I want to be in there," he muttered, looking longingly towards the room.
"Son, you're going to have to learn the lesson all Alphas learn sooner or later. You might be the one in charge of the pack, and you might be the head of your family, but when it comes to matters like this, omegas call the shots."
Benjamin sighed, about to argue when the door to the room flew open. Sue emerged, her usually pristine hair tousled. "Come in, quick."
Benjamin moved faster than he had previously thought himself capable of. His heart was somewhere between his throat and his chest when he came to a stop at Yuri's bedside only to find the omega grinning from ear to ear, holding a small blue bundle in his arms.
"I know we're in a hospital, Sue, but how about you don't give us all heart attacks?" Heinrich asked, coming to stand beside his mate.
She blinked innocently. "I just wanted you to hurry and see how cute the baby is."
Benjamin was too enraptured by the sight in front of him and too high on the rush of adrenaline to respond. "Yuri," he murmured, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Come on," said Heinrich, gently leading his wife from the room. "Let's give our boy a moment alone with his family."
Family. The word echoed in Benjamin's mind and filled his heart in ways he had never imagined. As Yuri transferred the small, warm bundle into his arms, his breath hitched at the sight of his son's face. Some alphas shunned caretaking duties while others took to the role of protecting and cherishing the weaker or younger members of their pack with great enthusiasm. Benjamin had always been one of the latter, but the adoration that filled him as he looked down at the boy in his arms was unlike any of the protective, brotherly instincts the other wolves in his care had inspired. This creature was a perfect blend of him and the omega he loved more than life itself. There was still nothing that could surpass the love that he felt for his mate, but it was like that bond had opened another part of his heart he hadn't even known was there, giving him access to a whole new type of love that was just as strong and entirely unique.
He was still struggling for a way to put the awe that washed over him into words when he looked up at Yuri. The omega said nothing, but the look in his eyes told Benjamin he knew exactly how he felt. "He has your eyes," he said softly.
"And your hair," Benjamin said with a laugh. "A lot of it."
"What are we going to name him?" asked Yuri.
Benjamin smiled gently, leaning in to kiss his mate. That was a question he already had the answer to, and he had for a long time. "What about Vasyl?"
Yuri's eyes widened. "My father's name. You remembered?"
"I remember everything you say," Benjamin murmured, kissing Yuri's forehead. "If we have a daughter, we can name her after your mother."
"Are you sure?" Yuri asked, his voice hoarse and tears in his eyes.
"You've given me the most precious gift any Alpha can receive," Benjamin said, feeling his throat grow tight. "This is your pack now, yours and mine. But this child is going to know all of his legacy, and I want him to be proud of it."
Yuri let out a strangled sob, covering his mouth. Benjamin watched him worriedly for a moment, before he realized the omega was smiling. "I love you, Benjamin. So much."
Benjamin froze. It wasn't that the words came as a surprise. He knew Yuri loved him. It was in his words and his smile, and the proof of it was in Benjamin's arms. He had learned a long time ago that Arctic wolves were known for being as stoic and cold as the lands they hailed from, and his mate was no exception. It was alright with him that Yuri didn't share his effusive mode of expression and that words of affection didn't come as easily to him as they did to Benjamin. A single smile from Yuri warmed his heart more than any proclamation of love from any other wolf ever had, but hearing those words from his mate settled the last broken piece of Benjamin's heart into place.
"And I love you," he said, settling in beside Yuri, holding his mate and their child in his arms, intent on keeping them both as close as he could for as long as he could. He leaned in and nuzzled the mark on Yuri's neck before whispering, "Do you want to know a secret?"
Yuri looked up expectantly, his eyes wide with curiosity. Even in the harsh glow of the fluorescent lights overhead, he was the most beautiful thing Benjamin had ever seen.
Benjamin smiled. "You were worth it, my love. Every year, every heartache, every second. You were entirely worth the wait."
The End.
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