Everyone congratulated the new parents.  Sky was even shed a few tears because of the happy moment.  The couple, Ryleigh and Jacks, seemed so in enamored with each other. The love that they both shared for the tiny baby they created and brought into this world together showed on their faces, actions, and words.  Sky knew that this phenomenal little boy would always be well cared for and loved.  She also knew that she would give her life for his without thought or question.

After Jacks’ introduction, the men of Alpha that were present hooted and hollered.  But what surprised and brought even more tears to Sky’s eyes was when they all went to one knee, placed their right hand over their hearts, and pleaded their loyalty, fidelity, and protection to the newest member of The Alpha Team.  They also reaffirmed the same to Jacks and Ryleigh.  It was a special moment between this makeshift family that although awe inspiring, also felt private.  She felt like an outsider and almost turned away. 

Instead, she searched her newly strengthened bond with Bas and noticed something spectacular.  The once straight line had sprouted branches and they were reaching out to the people around her.  They were all different sizes and colors.  Her bond with Bas was a bright, white, and thick. The tendril leading in the direction of the baby was purple and about half the size.  Smaller branches were reaching toward Ryleigh and the men. There were even a couple that seemed to be reaching further away.  Sky wondered about those because a thicker branch of pink headed in that direction. 

She concentrated on the branch and tried to follow it, reached out to it, and received a burst of what could only be described as the warm fuzzies.  Whoever this branched linked to was happy, healthy and well loved.  What she was seeing in her mind and feeling in her heart were truly amazing things.  She felt Bas’ warmth engulfed her physically, and she smiled.  Then he had to open his mouth, “Babe, that could be us one day.”

"Oh, no way, Sebastian Frost. They better make industrial strength birth control or something because no way I am doing that anytime soon.  My furry biscuit is just fine the way it is. I know it is supposed to be one of the most beautiful things to witness, the birth of new life.  But hell to the no."

Sky looked over at Ryleigh and felt guilty for what she had just said. It wasn’t right, but damn, that was gross.  She tried to make it better by saying, “Rye, your baby is beautiful, and the love you and Jacks share is an incredible sight to see.  But honey, witnessing the things your lady parts just did were right out of a sci-fi movie, and if I never see said parts again. I will be one happy woman. Nice mating mark though,” she remarked. 

"I mean, really, I have this weird urge just to look one more time to see if it was even able to go back to normal.  Is it a Shifter thing? I can’t imagine an average woman going through that more than once in a lifetime.  If others saw it like I just did, there would be a heck of a lot fewer kids being born, just saying.  But don’t worry, I heard they have this thing called vaginal rejuvenation now. So, if it doesn’t go back, I’m sure a doctor or someone can fix it for you.  I mean, damn girl, you opened up bigger than a cantaloupe and the stuff that was coming out before and after the baby, Ew!"  Sky got a full body shiver from just of the things she was remembering.

Ryleigh laughed and said," Oh, I don’t know, having this little guy seems to make it all worth it in the end.  But I get what you are saying. The first time I witness a birth it freaked me out too.  Would you like to meet him?” Ryleigh asked holding up the baby.

Sky walked over and knelt beside Ryleigh and the baby.  She had never once held a baby in her arms, and for about a second she didn’t know what to do. But when Ryleigh placed him in her arms, it felt natural and amazing. 

The little dragon baby just stared at her with intelligent eyes that seemed to take everything in around him.  Sky ran her finger over his chubby little cheek, just enjoying the moment.  When he grabbed her finger and placed it in his mouth, Sky laughed and so did Ryleigh.  Not even a second later she got a jolt that ran through her body.  She could feel the little boy.  He was happy, but far from content because he was both hungry and cold. He also felt his mother’s discomfort and wanted that to change immediately.  This little one would be an Alpha one day. 

"Ah, Rye, I think we should maybe think about getting out of here so that you can get taken care of and warm.  Little man here also seems to be a bit hungry."  Before she could say anything else the baby started to cry and not a little whimper either, no, Quinn was full on screeching.

Jacks jumped up from Ryleigh’s other side, storming to Sky and the baby.  Snatching Quinn out of Sky’s arms, “What have you done?  He was fine before you touched him, did you hurt him, why is crying?  Jacks was moving Quinn this way and that trying to see what could possibly be bothering him, but the jostling was only making his cries louder. 

Ryleigh sought to calm him," Jacks, you can’t hold him like that. Put him to your chest. He needs to feel secure."

When Jacks finally listened but the baby didn’t quiet he said, “Oh hell no, little man, I am your Daddy, and you will not be making that sound. We are Thorp men, mighty Shifters, we take the stuff that comes like men and prevail all the way to the end.”

The words coming out of his mouth were a contradiction to his actions.  Jacks was cradling the little boy moving side to side and cooing.  He might sound like an ass, but he was trying, it just wasn’t working.  Sky could feel what Quinn wanted, and that was Ryleigh, but didn’t she say anything. It wasn’t her place.  When Jacks continued to hold the baby, and he continued to cry, he looked to Ryleigh but didn’t give her the baby. 

Quinn’s cries were like nails on a chalkboard. the sound went right through your body and made a person cringe.  It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.  Sky even covered her ears. She couldn’t hear anything over the baby’s cries, and it was getting to her.  Jacks was saying something, and then out of nowhere a puff of fire erupted from the baby’s mouth, sighing Jacks’ eyebrows.  Everyone just stood there looking from Jacks to the baby. 

The baby stopped crying but looked like he was about to start again, and Jacks said, "Okay, looks like you want your mommy.  She gave you that dragon, she can deal with it."  Jacks handed the baby to Ryleigh, and she cuddled the baby close once in his mother arms, he didn't make another sound. 

Jacks started barking orders, like what just happened was no big deal and the guys jumped into action.  Ethan and the cute geeky guy who she learned was Wyatt, ran off to get the vehicles.  Bas and the other guy, Dalton, started to pack up all the gear. Jacks picked up Ryleigh and the baby and started walking away. 

Sky sat there literally not knowing what to do. Bas answered for her by taking her hand and pulling her up.  “Babe, you have two choices here. Either I carry you, or you turn furry.  It’s too cold out to be running around in just a t-shirt.  Our Shifter genes help, but only so much. You could lose a toe or something.”

Damn, Sky hadn’t even noticed the cold with everything that was going on, but now that Bas had said something, she was freezing.  Her feet hurt so bad when she started moving them, only putting pressure on one of them at a time.  Then it dawned on her exactly what Bas had said. She could either let him carry her or she could go furry.  Damn, her brain still hadn’t processed that she was a Shifter.

It turns out she didn’t need to make a choice, after all. Bas picked her up and started walking in the same directions of the others.  "I gotta tell you, babe, I know we have a lot of stuff to talk about and work through. But never once did I believe you would Shift.  Your bear, she is beautiful and fierce just like you."

Sky looked up at him feeling safe in his arms and asked," But Bas, you said that there weren’t any female Shifters, that you couldn’t change me into one. How did this happen?"

"I can’t answer that, babe, but I’m sure we can find someone that will be able to.  Right now, I’m going to get you on the chopper with Ryleigh and the baby so you can head back to Alpha where you will be safe.  We are going to stick around and look for Cash, but when this is over, we will be talking."

Sky saw the chopper up ahead and asked the only question left on her mind, “Bas, are you going to push me away and try to run again now that you know I’m different?”

"Babe, no way in hell. But that is one of the things we need to talk about. I treated you badly, and I will never be able to forgive myself for the things I said to you.  Even when I was saying them, I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t let myself hope that this thing between us was real.  When those men shot me with that dart and my world went blank, I had so many regrets, but the main one was trying to push you away.  The love you sent me, the same love that saved me, I just want you to know I feel the same way.  I will never fight my instincts again if you will have me. I promise never to run, to always be there for you, and to love you better than anyone else ever could."

Bas didn’t give Sky a chance to respond, running under the moving helicopter blades he placed her into the seat and kissed her softly saying, “See you soon.”  He then shut the door hit it a couple of times and ran to stand with the rest of the men.

Sky was stunned and speechless. She brought her fingers up to her lips just to see if the tingles would disappear.  Sebastian Frost had finally accepted her, but she still held fears and doubts in her mind.  The bond pulsed bright and pure, and she knew his feelings were the same. How would she deal with this now?

After a couple of minutes, Ryleigh nudged her and pointed to the headphones by her side.  Sky plucked them from their hook and placed them on her head.  The helicopter was noisy but once they were on, it was quiet.  Ryleigh’s soft voice came over within in them, “So that was all pretty intense. Do you think you two will be able to work things out?” Ryleigh questioned.

"I don’t know, Rye, I feel like my answer should be yes, but so much has happened in just a few days. Maybe I need just to give it some time before I make life long decisions.  When I was on the road with him, I was ready to jump in with both feet, but he fought me at every turn.  I’m not this person, and I don’t know how to reconcile everything that has happened in my mind.  I transformed into a bear, Ryleigh, a freaking bear. "

"Yep, you sure did, and I have to tell you, it was a sight to see.  You put yourself in front of those two men trying to cause Quinn harm and me.  She was beautiful, and over time, I’m sure you will adjust to the changes. We all do." 

"But you said there weren’t any female Shifters, not for over a century," Sky said.

"Yeah, I did, and there aren’t to our knowledge. But that wasn’t really what I was talking about. You will adjust to Bas and all these feeling you are having.  You will adapt to the bond and the connection and the annoying, stubborn man.  It’s what we do. We are the mates of The Alpha Team.  It’s never easy, but I can assure you, it is worth every second."