Elam hissed as he adjusted his position against the pillows propping him up in their new bed at the rental. The stiches had tugged at his skin when he’d moved, and it was probably almost time for another pain pill, judging from the increasing ache building in his abdomen. Thankfully, his accelerated healing powers meant he was in much better shape than he would’ve been had he gone the past day without their benefit.
The doctor had already been by that morning to examine both him and the baby. He’d also met with Asha, and while it still needed to be confirmed the following week when he went for another check-up and ultrasound, Asha had indicated to the doctor that Elam’s womb had remained intact, despite the ordeal he’d suffered.
We can have more children.
He wasn’t anxious to try again anytime soon, but he liked knowing they had the option. Sophie remained asleep in the cradle right next to his side of the bed and he and Nic had been ecstatic to discover she was strong, perfectly healthy and only a few ounces under the ideal birth weight she would’ve been had she gone the full term. Elam’s nipples tingled, and he sensed she’d soon be waking to get fed. The foreign feeling he’d experienced while pregnant made sense in light of the discovery he could nurse Sophie. He supposed he’d assumed that if he were to have the ability to do such a thing, he would’ve grown breasts or something.
‘It never crossed either of your minds that nursing might go along with pregnancy?’
When they’d blankly stared at her, Asha had tsked them and shook her head, mumbling about ‘new parents’.
The door quietly opened, and Nic peered around the side. He’d been in meetings at the house all morning, refusing to leave Elam’s side and go to the official council chambers. The pack advisors had found Nic’s demand they meet at the house understandable after all he and Nic had been through.
“Is it okay to come in? I have your pain meds.”
Elam held in a laugh. Even light chuckling would be too painful. “Of course you can come in. You don’t have to ask.”
Nic tip-toed inside, eyeing Sophie as he drew nearer as if she might explode. Nic behaved as if he was going to drop off the pills then leave, so Elam grabbed his wrist before he could escape.
“Hey. Do you have more meetings?” Elam needed his mate, needed him close.
Nic shook his head. “No. I was going to unpack the kitchen stuff while you rest, but I promise to be quiet so I don’t bother you two.”
Elam frowned. “It’s ‘us three’. And there’s plenty of time to unpack later. This…” Elam gestured between him, Nic and the baby. “is our time to bond. If pack security has been handled, then everything else can wait.”
Nic sighed. “You’re right. Be patient with me? There’s a tiny person in our bedroom who needs me to be her papa and I don’t know what to do about that.”
Elam went all squishy inside, Nic’s vulnerability making him melt even more for the man than he already had. “Neither do I.” He patted the bed next to him. “We’ll figure it out together.”
After removing his shirt and jeans—his feet already bare as they typically were inside—Nic pulled back the covers, climbing onto the bed with careful movements. He cuddled up to Elam’s side, shoulder to shoulder, and they leaned their heads together.
“Have the surviving wolves from the Yukon Delta Pack been found yet?”
“Not all of them, no. But my father, along with a group of guardians and a contingent from the Alliance, went to the pack’s town to interview their council members, townspeople—basically, they’re attempting to get to the bottom of this entire uprising, trying to determine whether it was a pack-wide plot, or confined to Yuri and his cohorts.”
“And, the body…? It’s for sure?” Elam picked at the blanket.
“Yeah.” Nic sniffed. “It’s Artur. The coroner from the Guardian Pack estimated he’s been out there for at least a few months. He’ll know have a better idea after a more thorough examination.”
The body of Nic’s brother had been discovered by accident during the hunt for the fugitive shifters. Whoever had left him there had covered him in wild sage to mask his scent—an obvious ploy to keep him from ever being found.
“I’m so sorry, Nic.
“Thanks, baby.” Nic sighed. “I guess I wonder if I could’ve steered him on a better course somehow, been there for him more than I was.”
Elam slipped his hand inside of Nic’s. “Do you honestly believe he would’ve accepted any guidance from you, even if you had been around?”
Nic had shared with him how contentious the relationship with his brother had always been over the years.
Nic gave Elam’s hand a squeeze. “I know you’re right. Even Alex and Papa said the same thing. It’s just seems so…unnecessary, though.”
They sat in silence, repeatedly threading their fingers together, immersed in their own thoughts while remaining connected to the other. A whimper and the beginning hiccups of what would soon turn into a bout of angry cries sounded, and Elam pulled away to get his daughter. Nic stayed him by placing a hand on his arm.
“No. Don’t move. I’ll get her.”
Elam gave him a grateful smile. “Thanks.”
Nic made his way to the cradle, reaching down to pick her up, then paused. Her cries had begun to pick up in volume and Elam regarded the big, bad wolf who was his mate gaze down at his baby daughter, his eyes filled with terror.
“She won’t break, I promise.” Elam clamped his lips together to keep from laughing.
Nic stared at him. “I’m afraid I’ll drop her.” He glanced at her before turning back to Elam. “I’m supposed to support her head, right? Is that all I need to remember? Is there anything else I’m forgetting?”
“No, you’re fine.” Sophie’s protests had picked up in volume. Elam jerked his chin toward the cradle. “But I don’t think she’s interested in waiting anymore.”
Nic returned his attention to Sophie, inhaled a deep breath, then scooped her up. He held her close gingerly, cooing and shushing and bouncing her gently against his chest. He leaned over to hand her off to Elam.
“Here. You’d better take her. I don’t think she likes me holding her.”
Oh brother. “That’s not it at all. She’s just more interested in what I have to offer right now. Believe me, if you were the food provider, she’d be ignoring me.”
Elam had already unbuttoned his pajama top and pushed one side of the cloth out of the way. He accepted his wiggling daughter from Nic, snuggling her to his chest where she immediately latched onto his nipple. Nic remained where he was, looming over them as he continued to stare while Elam fed their baby.
“Nic? Why don’t you join us?”
He blinked a few times then seemed to snap out of his trance. “Oh. Right.” After he climbed back in bed beside them, he continued watched them for a while then gazed up at Elam. “What about you? Are you hungry?”
Elam snorted. “Starving, actually.” He smiled. “But ladies first.”
“Okay. I’ll fix up some eggs and bacon for you when she’s done.”
They both continued to enjoy their perfect, beautiful baby as she drank her fill, and as he’d done so many times since he’d first learned he was pregnant, Elam marveled at the miracle of it all and of the new life he held in his arms. But none of it would have been possible had he not come to Alaska then allowed Nic into his heart.
“I love you, Nic. More than you’ll ever know.”
Nic kissed his cheek. “No more than I love you. Forever, right?”
Elam grinned. “And ever and ever.”