19
Nero
A few months later…
One thingI was extremely thankful for? The fact that wolf shifters had a short gestation period because shark gestation was a whopping twelve damn months.
We still didn’t know whether the baby would be a wolf or a shark, and since there were no other wolf-shark shifter couples we knew of, there wasn’t anybody we could ask. Hell, even if wedidhave Wi-Fi out in the wildlife reserve, I doubted there’d be any information about it. We were totally on our own.
“You know, if you think about it, we’re like entrepreneurs,” I said to Remington as he laid back in the den of grass.
Since his belly began swelling, he’d been engaging in more wolfish pre-birth rituals. It was so cute to watch him curl up three times before laying down, in both wolf and human form. Lately he’d spent a lot of time in the den, which previous omega members of the pack had used to give birth previously. It was a kind of new tradition for them, which was sweet.
“We are?” Remington said. “I wasn’t aware we were running a business.”
“Not like that. I mean, we’re the first shark-wolf couple, aren’t we? We’re setting a precedent here.”
He rolled his eyes playfully. “If you say so, Nero. But who knows? There could be another couple out there somewhere.”
“Tch. If there is, they’re not as cool as us,” I teased, leaning in to kiss my mate’s forehead. “Are you comfortable? Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
“I’m fine for now,” Remington assured me. He smiled gently as he ran a hand over his swollen belly. “This feels… a lot more natural than I expected.”
It made me happy to hear that. “Really?”
“I’m not scared at all. I mean, I’m a little nervous, as I’m sure all first-time parents are. But I’m not terrified or stressed beyond belief.” He glanced at me, his yellow eyes shining like stars. “I’m not the scared pup I was before I met you.”
My heart thumped with affection. “I’m proud of you, Remmy. Not just for carrying our baby, but for everything you’ve been through. You honestly saved my life back then.”
He knew I was talking about Klimt and how brave he’d been all those months ago. When he spoke, his voice was determined and strong. “I wasn’t going to let him hurt you. Or our baby.”
“I know.”
Remington sighed contentedly and rested his head against my chest. I stroked his soft black hair, running it through my fingers. Sitting here with him always felt so peaceful. I could lay with Remington for days on end, doing nothing but being with him, and it would always be fulfilling.
But I knew the days of quiet tranquility were about to change with a little sharp-toothed baby on the way. Still, I looked forward to a good challenge.
“I was thinking,” Remington murmured, as if deep in thought.
“Tell me.”
“Have you thought of a name?”
The way he said it made me sure he already had one in mind. I shook my head. “Tell me yours.”
He blushed. “Well… My father’s name was Zakariel. If it’s a boy, I think I’d like to name our son after him. If that’s okay with you.”
“That’s perfect,” I said with a wide smile. “We can call him Zak for short. Or even Ariel. Look, he’s got two nicknames already built in.”
Remington chuckled. “Judging from mine, Father was a fan of long nick-nameable names. He’d like that, I think.”
“Then it’s settled.”
Remington gazed up at me with fondness. I didn’t care if other people thought it was sappy, I reallycouldstare into his eyes all day long.
“Hey. We’re alone,” he murmured.
“We are.” A moment of silence passed before I realized what he was insinuating. “Oh. I see. Wearealone.”
