“I didn’t—I don’t—” Viol huffed loudly. “Fuckin’ hell, I’m out. Someone tell me when the egg’s here,” he mumbled before stalking off like a cranky teenager.
When he was gone, Thystle rubbed his temple. “I am so confused. Did our vicious edgelord brother steal a plush toy from a pregnant omega?”
“I haven’t the slightest,” Crimson drawled. “And honestly? I don’t want to know.”
Jade smiled. “Whatever happened, the plushie returned to its rightful owner in the end, and that’s what matters.”
Ignoring the plushie debate, I stared at the den’s entrance. Muzo had been quiet for a while. What was going on down there?
I kneeled down to the hole, but I couldn’t see anything.
“Muzo? Are you okay?” I asked.
He didn’t respond for a few beats. My chest clenched.
Then his cracked voice piped up, a whisper in the darkness: “It’s... coming.”
My heart skipped. The egg was coming. Would he get it out safely?
There was nothing I could do but trust my fated mate and wait.
I didn’t dare blink as I watched the den opening for any sign of progress. Each second passed torturously slowly, while every beat of my heart quickened.
A low, pained groan came from within the den. My body went rigid.
“Muzo?” I called.
A few seconds later, a soft blue glow lit the den’s darkness.
The egg.
I gasped, throwing myself on the ground and scrambling to see inside the den. I was greeted by Muzo’s jackal grin. He looked exhausted, but happy.
And he wasn’t alone. With the egg’s glow lighting up the space, I could actually see inside. Curled up next to Muzo was Blueberry, of course—and the beautiful blue egg.
Our baby.
I was speechless. It was magnificent. The smooth shell gleamed like it was carved from pure sapphire.
“I did it,” Muzo said breathlessly.
“You did, Muzo. I’m so proud of you,” I murmured, my voice thick with emotion.
“And look how big it is!”
I chuckled as I reached out to stroke his cheek. “Itisbig. You did an amazing job.”
He beamed with pride and joy, nuzzling his head into my palm.
“So, are you going to stay in here with the egg until it hatches?” I asked. Secretly, I worried I wouldn’t see much of him until the baby emerged. As much as I wanted to encourage his natural instincts, I couldn’t bear to be apart from my mate for that long. I’d need to set up camp outside in the garden...
Fortunately, Muzo shook his head. “Nope. Now that the egg’s here, I don’t have that nagging denning urge anymore.” He grinned sheepishly. “Sorry for digging a huge hole in your garden.”
I pressed a kiss to his cold nose. “Never apologize for following your instincts. Now, let’s get you and our egg out of there.”
“And Blueberry,” Muzo reminded me, pawing at the dirt-covered plushie.
“And Blueberry,” I agreed.
