A waveof exhaustion hit me after the birth, so everyone gave me and Xander some privacy in a warm den. He spooned me in human form as I curled around Star, who was half feeding and half sleeping. I had a feeling she was gonna be just like me—constantly hungry.
“Would you like another snack?” Xander asked.
“Gimme.”
I opened my wolf jaws and Xander put a strip of elk jerky inside, which I ate with delight. Ever since I asked him to, Xander had been petting my fur for hours without any sign of stopping. I was glad he had so much stamina. It felt nice to be pampered, especially while a baby was unknowingly stabbing me with tiny needle claws.
“Man, I still can’t believe I gave birth to a kitten,” I said.
“Did you think she would be a wolf?”
I flicked him with my tail. “No, I don’t mean like that. I meant I can’t believe I gave birth toanything, period.”
Xander let out an understanding hum. “I can barely believe anything that’s happened to me since I met you, either. I never thought I’d have a fated mate or a baby.” He nestled closer, his warmth radiating against my back like a furnace. “The circumstances weren’t the best, but I’m glad I met you that night.”
I chuckled. “You’re still thinking about that? I don’t think it wasthatbad. In fact, it was cool. You were all awesome, scaring that guy.” When Xander was quiet for a moment, I asked, “Aw, c’mon, you’re not still thinking about him, are you?”
“Ah, no. Don’t worry about it.”
He hugged me and that was the end of that.
“I’m glad Lupa has another girl to play with,” Xander said. “I wonder if it was lonely for her, being the only girl in the pack for a while.”
I snorted. “I don’t think she cares that much about gender. But I know for a fact she’s gonna love playing with another predator shifter.”
“That’s true,” Xander replied with a chuckle. “She’s had to be gentle with her brother and cousin.”
“Well, she’s gonna have to be gentle with Starry too, until she’s old enough to play rough.”
“That won’t take long, trust me. I was in my parent’s fur as soon as I could walk.”
I grinned. “Then you’re saying she’s gonna be annoying, just like me?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Actually, I would’ve beenshockedif I gave birth to a non-annoying child.” I thought about it. “Is annoyingness genetic? I wonder if your non-annoyingness counteracts me.”
Xander playfully tugged on one of my ears. I rewarded him with a sloppy wolf kiss to the face. He groaned and wiped it off on my fur.
“Do you regret having a wolf for a fated mate yet?” I asked mischievously.
“No. And you’ll never make me.”
My heart clenched. “Augh, don’t say mushy, nice things when I’m trying to tease you.”
“Too bad. I love you.”
My tail wagged on its own from sheer innate happiness. “Stop it, tail,” I grumbled. “Oh, and I love you too, obviously.”
“I know,” Xander said with a gentle smile. “And I won’t ever forget it.”
