He splashed into the surf, his eyes wide. "What happened? Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine," I said. "Look."
Zak's eyes snapped down. He gasped, his expression flooding with emotion. "Our baby. It's a wolf?"
"Our son. That's right." I chuckled. "Though I have to admit, the white spots confused me at first."
Normal newborn wolves were utterly helpless. They were mewling bundles of fur that couldn't hear or see, only smell, taste and feel around. But our baby was nothing like that. Azure's dark brown eyes were already open, and though his ears were folded down, he seemed to register sounds. He glanced back and forth between us as we spoke.
"But he's so... big," Zak said with a stunned laugh. He gently put his hands around the baby's midsection to lift him out of the water, but our son flailed and squealed and threw himself back in the water, splashing Zak right in the face. "Huh. Is this what people mean when they say their kids grow up fast?"
"I think our son might be a special case," I mused. Then I realized the baby in question had disappeared. "Hang on a second."
I ducked underwater and came face to face with a very pouty-looking wolf pup. Azure's pitch black fur truly did make the white spots on his face and neck look striking. From a distance, he would've easily been mistaken for an orca. He wasactinglike a newborn orca, too. He was able to swim and see, not like the helpless behavior of a newborn wolf at all.
"Let me guess," I said. "You want to stay here?"
Our son nuzzled up to my snout. I took that as a yes. When I examined his nose closely, I saw tiny air bubbles coming out of his nostrils.
I resurfaced to speak with Zak. "Well, he can breathe underwater."
Zak grinned with relief. "Yes!"
I tipped my fin, scooping up our son so Zak could see him. His legs, way too long and gangly for his age, dangled off the side of my fin. "And as you can see, he's definitely not your average newborn wolf."
"He looks two months old, at least! No wonder your belly was so big." Zak laughed and kissed him on the head. "Geez, Kamari, did you inject him with orca genes or something?"
"I must have. Even though he looks like a wolf, he must've gotten some orca mixed up in there."
Zak grinned. "I blame spirit magic."
Zak picked him up and swaddled Azure against his chest. Despite his advanced senses and growth, Azure was still a newborn. He complained at being out of the water, then grumbled and nestled into Zak's chest. Zak beamed. The joy radiating off his entire being was bright and happy.
With Azure calmed down, I shifted back and headed to the shore with Zak. Ashe was fidgeting with excitement.
"Is that the baby? Whoa, he's huge!" Ashe said. He kept his voice down so as not to wake him up. "What's his name again?"
"Azure," Zak said proudly.
Ashe smiled. "Welcome to the family, little Azure."
Our little boy had no idea how many people in the world already loved him. And for that, I was immensely grateful to Zak. My fated mate's extended family meant so much to me. They were incredibly supportive and kind, and I was happy that Azure would grow up among them.
Something splashed behind us. Nautilus manifested on the water's surface, his fond gaze fixed on Azure. Zak smiled and held his son up for Nautilus to see.
"Ah, there he is, my... What was the word again?" Nautilus asked.
"Great grandson," Zak said.
"Time flies." Nautilus reached out a hand to touch Azure's damp forehead. Azure peeked an eye open then promptly bit Nautilus's finger. Thankfully, as advanced as Azure was, neither newborn wolves or orcas had teeth, so Nautilus was safe. The spirit just laughed. "He's a sassy one! I wonder where he gets that from."
When Azure let go, Nautilus gave him a gentle pat on the head. "He's beautiful. Congratulations, you two."
"Do you know why he's... You know... Like that?" Zak asked, gesturing to his son.
Nautilus's eyes just sparkled with amusement. "He's the child of a pair of fated mates and the descendent of a spirit. Of course he's special."
Zak and I looked at each other and smiled. That was enough of a reason for us.
