by Hawke Oakley
Beth was losing. Anyone could see that. A beta wolf didn’t stand a chance against an alpha, especially one who was guarding his mate and family.
My chest ached to see my former best friend and my mate fighting. What was the point of all this?
Jericho snapped at her one last time before she collapsed, exhausted and breathing hard. But the fury in her eyes still burned.
“Kill me, then,” she snarled at him.
“No,” Jericho said. “You were a friend to my mate. You were a friend to the pack. You don’t deserve this.”
Beth screamed at him in anger. “I have no intention of changing my mind, so you’d better finish what you started.”
But Jericho stepped aside, allowing her to get up. “I won’t kill you.”
Shakily, Beth got to her feet. My heart fluttered. For a moment I hoped and prayed she would change her mind and come back to us - to be the Beth I knew.
But in a flash, she turned and bolted off in the direction of the nursery.
“If I can’t take the omega, then I’ll gladly take his pups instead!” she snarled.
“No!” I screamed.
All around me, the hallway filled with snarling wolves. Flint, Tyson, Ken and Shadow exploded into wolf form and launched themselves towards Beth. Jericho took the lead. His whole pelt stood on end, like golden lightning.
“Take her down!” Jericho snapped.
I had to get to my babies. I struggled to my feet and growled at Charlie and the nurse when they tried to get me to stay in place. Finally they gave up and helped me follow the commotion.
We turned the corner just in time to see Beth hovering over the pups. They were fragile and breakable in human form as they sat there, side by side, in the soft nursery bed.
Beth crushed the plastic surrounding them and almost had her jaws around them before Jericho landed on her back and pinned her to the ground.
Like a striking snake, his fangs found her throat. She died instantly.
No one spoke for a while. Security came in to remove her body, which had shifted back post-mortem. The nurse checked on the pups, and quietly assured me they were okay.
“What was she thinking?” I murmured, staring at where her body was with grief and anger and confusion.
Jericho shifted back to human form and came over, putting his arms around me and holding me close. I laid my head against his shoulder and just cried.
When I was finished, I swallowed hard and stated, “I want to see my babies.”
The nurse quickly bundled them up and brought them over to me with a sympathetic expression.
When I took them in my arms, I started to cry again.
I had a boy and a girl. The girl was larger and had dark hair like me. She looked strong. Her brother was small but his face was scrunched up in a determined way. He had Jericho’s light, wavy hair. My heart swelled with affection, and I knew in that moment I would fight to the death for either of them.
Tears ran down my face. They were so small and innocent, and had no idea about the evils in this world.
But looking down at their pure faces, I knew I would do my damn hardest to make sure they lived a better life than I did. I wouldn’t let them be exposed to the things I was. They would have an amazing life. Jericho and I would make sure of that.
“They’re beautiful,” Jericho murmured, learning down to look at them with me. He kissed me gently on the cheek. “You did good. I’m so proud of you.”
I smiled weakly. “I’m tired,” I told him. “I want to go home.”
“Alright,” he said softly. “Come on.”
Chapter 10: Jericho
The nurse said Mason needed a few stitches after the incident, but he was free to leave the hospital. Ken promised her he would look after him at home.
Everyone had wished Mason and I well. He was tired and wanted to be at home with me and our pups. That was understandable. He had two pups delivered via c-section, almost got abducted, and lost his best friend all in the same day. It was only natural he’d be exhausted.
He sighed as he leaned back on the couch. He held our son in his arms while I held our daughter. We sat next to each other in comfortable silence.
Mason leaned on me. “What would I do without you, Jericho?” he murmured.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I could say the same thing about you, too, Mason.”
He smiled weakly. “So much has happened today,” he said with a sigh. “But I’m glad to finally be home with you… With our family.”
I smiled back and kissed his hair. “Me too.”
Suddenly Mason frowned. “Why did Beth have to do that?” he asked quietly. “I just don’t understand.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. But I don’t think you should feel sorry for her.”
Mason looked at me. “Why?”
“Beth knew what she was doing,” I said. “She had a goal and was willing to die for it - and she did. I think… if she didn’t go after our pups, and ran off like Hector did, she wouldn’t ever be happy.”
Mason’s eyes fell. “I guess so…” He sighed unhappily. “I don’t know why she didn’t want to live here with us. It’s not fair.”
“I know,” I agreed, kissing his head. “But she told us that wasn't what she wanted, anyway. I don’t think you would've ever been able to change her mind, as much as you wanted to. Don’t feel bad about it.”
He nodded. “You’re right… As usual.”
I smiled then asked, “On a lighter note, have you thought of any names for our kids?”
Mason tilted his head back and forth, looking between our son and daughter. “Honestly?” he said. “I have no freaking clue.”
I chuckled. “Me neither.”
“Okay,” he said with a nod. “It’s settled then. This is Thing 1, and the other one is Thing 2. How about that?”
“Perfect. Love it.”
“Good.”
Mason rolled his eyes at me and grinned. “You know, you should be glad you’re hot and strong.”
“Why, ‘cuz I lack a brain?” I asked.
“Sometimes, I really do wonder.”
I chuckled. “Okay… How about this. You name one, and I name the other. Deal?”
Mason raised a brow. “As long as you don’t choose something ridiculous… then, sure.”
“When have I ever done anything ridiculous?” I said with an unhidable grin.
He blinked slowly at me. “Do you want a list, or…?”
“Okay, okay.” I cleared my throat and looked down at the bundle in Mason’s arms. My son was tiny and fragile and my chest ached with adoration for him. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched his tiny pink cheeks inhale and exhale. “For our son… What about Michael? We can call him Mikey as a nickname.”
Mason paused, then he nodded, smiling down at our baby. “Yeah. Michael. Little Mikey… I like that.”
He peered over to our daughter, currently bundled up and frowning in my arms. Her feisty expression couldn’t help but remind me of my friend’s daughter, Casey. I couldn’t wait to raise a daughter of my own.
“Your turn,” I said to Mason.
“Hmm…”
I wondered for a moment if he would suggest Beth, after his friend. I would accept any name he chose no matter what, but I knew this could be a personal decision for him.
To my surprise, Mason said, “Hm… She looks like a Piper to me.”
I raised a brow but didn’t press the question. He knew what he was doing. Besides, she really did look like a Piper.
“Mikey and Piper,” I said, looking down at both of them with a smile. “My little pups.”
“So I guess, since she’s the bigger one, she must be the pup who… isn’t biologically yours,” Mason said a little sadly.
“Now hold on. Don’t talk like that,” I growled softly. “You should know by now that both these pups belong to me, no matter whose blood they share. You’re my mate - my fated mate - and these are my kids. End of story.”
Mason sighed, but he was smiling. “You’re right. Maybe you’re not as dumb as you look.”
I laughed. “Thanks.”
We leaned against each other, each with a child in our arms, and just enjoyed each other’s presence. I looked over at Mason; he was exhausted, but his expression was content. He finally had a family to call his own. And so did I. Never did I think I would be a mate and a father this soon in my life, but I was so glad that it was Mason who found me.
Overcome with fondness for my mate, I kissed his cheek.
He turned. He took my face with one hand and kissed me passionately on the lips.
I could only blink stupidly when it was over then break out into a grin. “Hey,” I whispered. “Guess what.”
“What?” he asked.
I rested my forehead against his. “I love you.”
He sighed and glanced soulfully into my eyes. “I love you, too.”
I leaned in to kiss him again, and I knew that whatever happened from here on out, Mason and I, and our growing family, would make it through alright.
Epilogue
Inside the home, the blond alpha and dark-haired omega sat together on the couch, their foreheads touching in happiness. Between them, there were two new pups bundled up safely. There was no sign of sadness or discontent.
The raven blinked once. Then, it shifted its feet and took to the sky. The night winds were cold, but the bird would brave the icy air. It had a message to deliver.
Hours later, it landed on the cold earth, its claws scratching against the ice. In front of the raven was a mess of branches and dead leaves in the shape of a vague hideaway.
It let out one low, quiet call. A moment later a hooded shape emerged and extended a finger. The raven leapt up onto the man’s hand and nuzzled his face.
“They are safe,” the raven spoke through their shared connection.
“Good,” the man spoke hoarsely. “What of the beta?”
“I believe she died in the final altercation.”
The man wasn’t surprised. He sighed. “I don’t think this is the end. In fact, this might only just be the beginning…”
Also By Hawke Oakley
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Laced Fates (M/M Mpreg Alpha Omega Romance) (Laced Mates Book 1)
Laced Hearts (M/M Mpreg Beta Omega Romance) (Laced Mates Book 2)
Laced Destinies (M/M Mpreg Alpha Omega Romance) (Laced Mates Book 3)
Laced Mates: The Complete Collection (M/M Mpreg Alpha/Beta Omega Romances)
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The Captain's Omega (Whitewood Pack Book 2)
Alpha’s Protection (Indigo Mountain Book 1)
Alpha’s Solace (Indigo Mountain Book 2)
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