Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
He’s wrinkly and blue and screaming.
He’s screaming.
Blinking away the sadness, I listen to his squeal and Lena’s cry of relief. That must mean he’s okay. I wish the healer would fucking say something, instead she gently places the tiny baby on Lena’s chest while his little fists ball and he continues to squeal. Lena wipes tears away from the corner of her eyes.
I’m paralyzed, merely watching and unsure what to do. My throat is dry and my wolf howls, pressing against my chest to go to them.
I stare at the women in the room, and they all have dreamy looks on their faces like this is normal. Tears well in my eyes and I just sit there waiting for someone to tell me he’s okay. That Lena’s okay. That whatever the fuck that was is over.
I look at the screaming little thing and stare in awe as his color changes with every breath. My lungs fill and it’s only then that I realize I’d been holding my breath. The little pup calms down as Lena gently shushes him and cradles him close to her chest. Her eyes are glassy with tears, and she looks hysterical as her shoulders rock with a mixture of crying and laughter coming from her. She’s fucking beautiful.
I’ll remember this moment forever.
I don’t know what the hell to do, but I know I want to hold her. Even if she can’t feel our bond and my pull to her, maybe it will calm her a little if I hold her. Shit, maybe it will calm me down just to be close to her.
I crawl across the bed and slowly put my left arm above her head as I lay my body next to hers. She’s staring at the baby in her arms and doesn’t even seem to notice me. That’s all right though because she’s obviously at ease. That’s all I want. I let my warmth settle around us and tell her that he’s beautiful and that she did a great job. I’m only repeating what the women told her but still, it makes her smile and whether she knows it or not, she leans into me slightly.
I look down at the baby in her arms, he’s calm and nuzzling into the crook of her arm. He’s so small. So fragile. I’m surprised he’s moving so much. Strong little thing. I look at his face and search for details of Lena, or…Shadow. The reminder shoots a cold wave through my blood. I look back at the baby expecting to feel resentment, but I feel nothing but relief and happiness. He’s my mate’s child. Therefore, he’s my child.
My heart swells at the realization. I’ve barely wrapped my head around the fact that I’ve found my mate and now I have a son.
I can’t help but wonder as I watch the two of them…if she now can feel our bond…or if she never will.
Jude
My heavy eyelids slowly open, sleep threatening to take me but I’m just not ready to give in. All of this is too new, too fragile, and I’m afraid to let go even if it is just to dream of them. Lena’s finally asleep and the little one is squirming. I don’t want him to wake her. She’s been fussing over him and trying to get him to latch on to feed for hours before she finally dozed off. The little witch has left. Everyone is content that both Lena and the pup are healthy and well. Lena herself is already healing although a touch slower than wolves do. She needs to eat and to sleep, witch’s orders.
Grace and Lizzie left first, shooed out by the witch hours ago. Lena thanked them all, although she hasn’t said much to me. A whispered “thank you” when I readjust her pillow. A gentle “no thank you” when I’ve asked if there’s anything I can do.
I don’t know my place, other than beside her, waiting and ready for whatever is to come. I’ve watched the color return to her cheeks, her wounds heal, and sleep slowly restores her strength. And I keep waiting, hoping, that she’ll feel the pull. I keep imagining the spark that will come to her eyes when I look down at her. But all it is at this point is a dream that keeps me from being able to rest.
With Lena soundly sleeping and the little one wriggling, I pick up her little boy with both hands, although I could probably carry him steadily with just one. He’s so tiny. He opens his mouth to squeal, but I slip the tip of my pointer down his nose and across his upper lip and he latches right on. Just like he did with Lena. A small smile curls my lips up as I set him down on the makeshift cushion on my dresser.