Virgil put his arms around Montana and Lucian and gave them both a tight squeeze.“Do you know what her father did with her placenta?Let’s just say… don’t plant any tomatoes near the heat house.”
Montana collected Virgil’s empty beer bottle and pointed at the back door.“What you need to do is kiss that man’s ass.Look, I know it’s not your fault, but you should’ve known that your wolf might get excited at the sight of water.They had the birthing pool planned out for months, and until you make it right, he’s gonna be bringing it up every chance he gets.And his father-in-law harping on him isn’t helping.”Montana gave Virgil a light shove.“Now get in there and fix it.”
Virgil pouted and opened the back door.“What if he’s taking a piss?”
“Then hold it for him, shake it off, and zip him up.”
After the door shut, Lucian sighed.“Should I be worried?”
Montana grabbed his arm.“Come on.Nobody’s mad at you for being gone all day.You didn’t know she’d be going into labor.It’s probably for the best with that keen nose of yours.Even Atticus had to mute out the screams.”
Lucian followed him down the steps, and they joined the gathering.
Although Hope’s lovely mother looked young enough to be an older sister, she was wise beyond her years.When she leaned closer to stroke her daughter’s forehead, her cane knocked over into the grass.Hope didn’t resemble one parent more than the other.She had inherited the very best qualities of both in her wisdom, patience, and strength.But unlike them, she worried more and also laughed more.
Lucian gently pinched Hope’s foot, which was covered beneath a warm blanket.He quietly admired her strength for not only enduring childbirth but participating in a pack ceremony so soon after.“Do you need anything, female?”
She gave a relaxed smile.“I’m glad you’re here.Come hold him.”
“I better not.”
“You better.”
Montana gave him a gentle nudge before taking a seat by the fire.
Lucian stood beside her while Hope straightened her chair back.
She carefully placed the tiny bundle in his arms.“I want you to own his scent,” she said quietly.
In the Breed world, enemies lurked around every corner.Owning the baby’s scent—as Lucian had done with everyone else in his pack—meant if someone ever abducted the child, he could better track the baby.Even after years passed and the child grew up, Lucian would recognize him by scent alone.
He lifted the sleeping infant into his arms.The baby’s warm skin tone was somewhere between Tak’s dark shade and Hope’s lighter brown.He was a chubby little thing.
A purr rumbled in Lucian’s chest while he studied the baby’s dark eyebrows and hair.“For a squished-up face, he looks like Tak.”
Hope and her mother laughed quietly.
Lucian leaned in and pulled the baby’s scent into his nose.He summoned the magic within him to own that scent for life, imprinting it to his memories.And when he did, a connection formed between them, one that was so profound that he would lay down his life to protect this baby.
Melody walked up and hugged her best friend.“How’s my sister?”
“Exhausted.”
“You should have three more babies and get them all out of the way.”
Hope scoffed.“Don’t be silly.I’m not doingthatagain anytime soon, but having Mother here made it easier, as did the water birth.”
After straightening up, Melody cast a scathing glance at the house.“Yeah, ifonlywe’d had a pool.I’m sorry it had to be in the bathtub.You must have been squished up in that thing.”She frowned at Lucian.“We had her favorite records playing in the game room and everything.”
“Let’s not be too hard on Virgil.”Hope adjusted her position.“I’m sure we’ll laugh about it someday.”
Melody seemed unconvinced.“He’s officially uninvited from any future delivery I have.What a ding-dong.”
Lucian wanted to point out that everyone knew how much Virgil’s wolf loved water.He shifted in the shower all the time, and if anyone had the hose going in the backyard, Virgil’s wolf was always the first to come out.They should’ve taken precautions, knowing he might shift, but Lucian let it go, deciding they were just venting.
After placing the infant back in his mother’s arms, Lucian claimed the Adirondack chair between Lakota and Montana.A warm fire crackled in the firepit they were seated around, smoke rising to the stars, moonlight glittering overhead.
Everyone turned to look when Tak emerged from the house, holding a beautifully patterned blanket.He knelt by Hope’s chair, removed the baby blanket around his son, and swaddled him in the colorful one.Those who had gone into the house earlier gathered expectantly.
