Nero scooped up our waterlogged son and lifted him up in the air. Zak shook out his pelt as best as he could while his daddy held him, then barked as if he wanted to go back to playing in the river.
“You devil!” Nero said, nuzzling him. “You scared the crap out of us, you know that?”
Zak slapped a wet paw in his daddy’s face.
“Okay, fine, back in you go.”
Nero lowered Zak into the water again and he swam to his heart’s content. I could barely believe it when he dipped his snout underwater for way longer than a pup should’ve been able to hold his breath. Was it really true?
“Turns out I was right about that baby being special, huh?” Morgan said.
The kids swarmed Zak when they overheard the conversation with Red close behind.
“Wow, cool!” Lupa, Ashe, and Leveret said at the same time. Starry in her kitten form yowled in agreement.
Since Red was safely watching Zak, Nero hauled himself out of the water to hug me. “It’s incredible, Remmy! Our son’s amazing!”
“He really is,” I said, still breathless from shock. “How did this happen? Do you think it’s because of your father?”
“You might be right. If he’s a spirit, there’s probably a lot of things he’s capable of that we don’t even know about.”
As if he was waiting for a cue, a humanoid dragon-headed shape floated out of the river. Everybody seemed startled except me, Nero, and Zak. Our son even swamtowardsit because of course he did. The shape materialized as Nautilus.
“Hello again, my child,” Nautilus said, smiling at Zak. “And if it isn’t my grandchild. Pleased to finally meet you, boy. What is your name?”
“His name is Zakariel, after Remington’s father,” Nero told him proudly.
Nautilus seemed pleased to hear it. “Zakariel… A wonderful name.”
Lupa turned to Len and Hugo and asked, “Daddies, why’s there a floating mermaid-man?”
“Don’t worry about it. That’s just my dad, kiddo,” Nero told her.
“Oh. Okay!”
She seemed to take the news better than her dads, who were still staring at Nautilus in awe. I’d told them about him a long time ago but it was different actually seeing him in person. I didn’t blame them. He was like something out of a fairy tale.
The water spirit leaned down and picked up Zak, who licked his dragon snout.
“I see he has finally taken his animal form,” Nautilus said. “Of course, I could not sit back and let my only grandchild be without the water’s strength. I have given him a blessing.”
“To breathe underwater. We just found out.” Nero smiled. “Thanks, Dad.”
“You are welcome. Now, I must return. Farewell for now.”
In a whirl of his long whiskers, Nautilus handed Zak back to us and disappeared back into the water. I’d never fully understand his powers but I was truly glad that he’d blessed Zak. That was one more thing I’d never have to worry about. How many parents could boast that their child could breathe underwater?
“Well, now that the big commotion’s over, why don’t we get back to swimming, pup?” Nero asked Zak, who let out a yip of agreement.
“Not so fast. Come here and let me get a look at you.”
I shifted into my wolf form and gently grabbed Zak’s scruff. He hung limp in my jaws as I set him down on the ground and licked him dry. By the time I was done, his fur was soft and puffed out like cotton. He had a black pelt, but unlike mine, there was a bright silver streak that went from his chin all the way down his belly to the tip of his tail.
“He’s sooo cute!” Sage said.
“He’s got a pale underbelly, just like Nero’s shark does,” Len pointed out.
I beamed as everyone complimented Zak. He really was my special boy. Not just his appearance, but on the inside, too. I couldn’t wait to meet the amazing person he would become. But for now, I was happy to raise my baby. Judging by how fast the rest of the pack’s kids were growing up, Zak wasn’t going to stay a cute little infant forever so I was going to enjoy it while I could.
