Ashe didn’t let us enjoy the moment of silence for long. He began fussing in Morgan’s arms, then shifted to his deer form faster than either of us could blink. Morgan laughed and eased him to the ground, where Ashe found his footing. He looked so adorably ridiculous with his long stilt-like legs.
“He’s got your wolf’s coloring, you know,” Morgan remarked.
I glanced over Ashe’s back. When he was born, I thought his fur was dark because he was wet, but I knew now that it was his real fur color. Flecks of pure white streaked across his rich dark brown pelt, like snowflakes dancing in the night sky.
A warm feeling pooled in my chest. “You’re right. There’s a bit of both of us in him.”
Morgan grinned and leaned into me. “Well, I sure hope so. Wearehis parents.”
I snaked my arm around his midsection. “Hey. Let’s have another one.”
Morgan full-on honked, like a buck braying, and the sound was so unexpected and silly that I burst out laughing. The incredulous gaze he shot me only made me laugh harder.
“Please, gods, say you’re joking,” Morgan said, arching his brow as high as it would go.
I grinned. “I thought it was obvious. Sorry for making you think your mate was an idiot.”
A smirk toyed at Morgan’s mouth. “Well, I already knew that part.”
I growled playfully in response.
“In any case, I think Ashe might be an only child for a while longer,” Morgan mumbled. “So keep that problematic knot of yours in your pants, please.”
Thinking about that night we were stuck together, I snorted. “At least it’s a funny story in hindsight.”
Ashe toddled over on his uneasy legs and bleated at me. Somehow I knew what he wanted. It was strange that we could communicate even without words. I shed my human form, becoming a wolf the same color as my son’s coat, and nuzzled him with my snout. Ashe bleated happily. He kicked out with his noodly legs and stumbled, but I caught him before he fell.
“Still learning how to use those, hm?” I asked.
Ashe made a tiny, high-pitched grunt. He pushed his little forehead against my muzzle, like he was bracing himself to stand. I chuckled, coming out as a wolf’s growl in my throat. If my son wanted to use me as a tool, I was glad to be of service.
When Ashe was fully standing again, he lifted his head proudly. I licked between his big oval-shaped ears. His fur was so soft all over, even softer than the velvety feeling of Morgan’s deer nose. Aside from an intense sensation of love, a blazing fire of protection burned in me. It was an innate instinct that I would protect Ashe and Morgan from anything and everything. I was their alpha.
From the corner of my eye I saw Morgan watching us with shining, wet eyes. Knowing I could make him happy filled me with joy. This was the life he deserved—kindness, love and compassion. Of being part of a pack and family.
I wasn’t going to let anything interfere with our happiness.
