Chapter 20 Poppy
Poppy
The egg was coming.
As the warning signs blared in my mind, my wolf form took over. I slipped to all four paws as the first wave hit me. It rippled across my fur. I shook it out, then began to pace around the kitchen.
Viol’s chair nearly toppled over as he scrambled to his feet. “Poppy? Is it happening?”
I whimpered in response. I was too distracted to speak in words. All I wanted to do was reach my den.
“Should I carry you upstairs?” Viol asked frantically. Then without waiting for my reply, he said, “I’m carrying you upstairs.”
I didn’t wriggle as he lifted me into his arms and ran for the staircase. I felt dazed. Unlike my alpha, I wasn’t anxious. Weirdly, I didn’t feel worried at all. I was supernaturally focused, like I knew exactly what I had to do.
When we reached the bedroom, Viol placed me in the den we’d created. Pillows, blankets, and plush toys surrounded me. Wordlessly, I circled three times and curled on the floor. I rested my chin on top of Wolfy, who was the most comforting plushie of all.
Viol looked like he was about to explode.
“Should I call for help? Should I get somebody?” he asked.
I wagged my tail, then shook my head.
Viol frowned. “You’re not talking. Why aren’t you talking? Is that normal?”
I licked Viol’s face to reassure him. He sighed as he continued to radiate stress.
“Six fucking times and I’m still not used to this,” he muttered, pushing his hair back.
When a knock came at the door, Viol leapt out of his skin. He ran and threw it open. Taylor, Rorik, and a sleepy-looking Alaric stood there holding a variety of items—a bowl of water, clean towels, and what appeared to be a bottle of wine.
“What’re you guys doing here?” Viol asked.
Alaric snorted as he pointed to Viol’s leather boots. “Well, you woke up half the household thumping your way upstairs a few minutes ago, so we assumed there was a commotion.”
“Poppy’s due. We put two and two together,” Taylor finished, then handed Viol the wine. “Here.”
“Poppy can’t drink this!” Viol exclaimed in a frenzy.
Rorik flashed a wry grin as he patted Viol on the shoulder. “It’s for you, my friend. To ease your nerves.”
Alaric and Taylor stifled laughs behind him.
“I can’t fucking drink while my mate’s in labor,” Viol ranted, waving the wine bottle around. “Just—get in here, will you? All three of you. Hurry up!”
My friends walked calmly inside and sat beside my nest. My tail wagged upon their arrival.
“You okay, wolf?” Alaric asked. “Blink twice if that purple oaf’s hysterics are stressing you out.”
“I am not hysterical,” Viol shrieked.
Amused, I shook my head. As much as I loved spending time with my mate, I was glad my omega friends had arrived for moral support, too. Besides, if anyone was comforted by their arrival, it was probably Viol. They were the ones who had experience giving birth, after all.
“Oh, stop teasing the man, Alaric,” Taylor chided his fellow feline. “You know he’s only anxious because he cares.”
Viol pouted grumpily in the background. After a moment, he joined the omegas sitting by the nest, still clutching the unopened wine bottle like a baby soother. I wagged my tail even harder when Viol joined me.
But my tail went still as a wave of pain seized my midsection. I whined as I breathed through it. Expecting the pain didn’t make it easier to bear. But the temporary suffering would be worth it. I was the one responsible for bringing our baby into this world, and I wouldn’t let them down.
“Focus on the rhythm of your breathing,” Rorik suggested.
I couldn’t reply or even nod, but I tried his advice. It did help to concentrate on a single task.
The discomfort made me restless. I got up, circled three times, and sat down again only to retain the same fidgety energy. The egg was on the move; it poked and prodded me from awkward angles, making every position feel uncomfortable.
“Is this normal?” Viol asked the omegas under his breath.
“Pretty much,” Alaric confirmed.
Taylor and Rorik joined in with affirming nods.
When Viol didn’t look satisfied with that answer, Alaric rolled his eyes. “What, you think it’s comfortable to push an egg out of your ass?”
“Hey, I never said that,” Viol grumbled. “Birthing’s hard. You know I respect the hell out of you guys.”
Alaric was as smug as a cat preening itself in a ray of sunshine. “Why, thank you.”
Viol let out a heavy sigh. “I’m just worried about Poppy. I hate that there’s nothing I can do for him...”
Whimpering, I shot my mate a pleading look. I wanted to disagree with him, but I was still too consumed by my wolfish instincts to speak.
Thankfully, Taylor translated for me. “You’re here, Viol. That’s good enough for Poppy.” In his own words, Taylor added, “Don’t worry. His contractions have started, so it won’t be long now. Wolves are pretty efficient parents.”
That took the edge off Viol’s nerves. He relaxed, though he continued watching me like a hawk. It reassured me that he was present, and so caring.
The egg was getting closer. I felt it moving within me, seeking escape. I clung to Rorik’s advice about breathing and tried my hardest to focus on that rhythm.
Pain, then momentary relief. Pain, then momentary relief...
I pushed harder. A shudder ripped across my pelt.
And then, no more pain. Only relief.
I panted hard to catch my breath after that last burst of agony. But it was quickly forgotten when I glimpsed a soft purple glow from the corner of my eye. I whipped my head towards my hindquarters. Then, beneath the brush of my tail, I saw it.
A beautiful, glittering purple egg.
I went to it instantly, whimpering in joy as I licked the shell clean. Viol was right next to me, his eyes wide with awe and adoration. The specific quality on his face was not one I’d ever seen before: a brand-new emotion born of his love for his child.
Viol reached out to gently stroke the egg. We both remained silent in wonder as we watched the shell glitter like crystals.
“As beautiful as the omega who laid it,” Viol murmured, smiling fondly at me.
I bumped my snout against his shoulder and nuzzled him. My tail would not stop wagging.
In the months that followed, the egg became a part of me.
Well, more like us. Viol spent most of his waking hours carrying the egg in a custom chest sling that Taylor sewed.
The fabric he chose was Easter-themed, so it was made up of sweet pastel colors and adorable egg and chick patterns.
Even more adorably, the sling clashed with Viol’s usual black leather outfit.
But he didn’t care. He rarely took it off.
We sat down at the kitchen bar for lunch. The twins and their mates were loitering around while Rorik watched all four infant twins. Aurum, lounging on the other side of the counter, snickered at Viol’s outfit. Viol didn’t look twice at him.
“What’s for lunch?” Viol asked. “And please, for fuck’s sake, don’t make any more omelette jokes. I’m so sick of them.”
The current cook, Crimson, turned around with a deadpan expression that made Aurum burst out laughing.
“Oh, man. I can’t believe Viol’s funny now,” he choked out, slapping the counter.
Saffron nudged his twin. “Don’t make fun of Crimson. He has a very serious condition.”
“Which is?” Crimson asked flatly.
Saffron spoke with sombre gravity. “Tragically, he can only cook one thing. And that’s eggs.”
Aurum lost it. They cackled together like a pair of hyenas.
“Shut up, you two,” Crimson snapped, waving his spatula at them.
Indeed, the telltale yellow of half-cooked eggs caked the tip of the tool.
“At least I can cook something, unlike you goblins. I feel sorry for your mates. If it weren’t for the rest of us, Mylo and Rorik would be eating microwaved dinners for the rest of their lives. ”
“Hey, I can make popcorn,” Saffron added, offended.
Rorik shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. I would be fine with that.”
Mylo glanced up from his handheld game device. “Me, too!”
Crimson shuddered and silently went back to cooking.
Viol snorted as he glanced at me. “Listen, if Crimson is making eggs, I’d settle for a fuckin’ microwave dinner right now, too.”
“Okay, out,” Crimson snapped, arcing his spatula in the air like a flail. “All of you complainers, get out of the kitchen! Go eat dirt outside for all I care.”
“Whoa, touchy. What crawled up his ass and died?” Aurum asked.
I put a hand over my mouth to hide my smile. Poor Crimson.
After poking the dragon and getting chased out of the kitchen, we relocated to the living room. The twins came along, along with their twins.
“Dammit, I wanted a snack,” Viol complained as he sank into the couch. He crossed his arms comically over the giant egg strapped to his chest. “Stupid Crimson...” Then he shot a glare at his younger brothers.
“Is it weird that I kinda love this new Viol?” Aurum asked Saffron.
“No, dude. He’s totally awesome,” Saffron agreed. “He’s nicer, but also meaner in a fun way?”
Viol scowled at them, fond in a way that was obvious to those who knew him well.
“All thanks to Poppy,” Saffron stated, grinning at me.
Aurum nodded before flashing a thumbs-up.
I chuckled, then turned to my mate. “Are you still hungry, Viol?” I asked.
“Yeah. I’m craving popcorn now that Saffron mentioned it,” he grumbled.
Saffron cackled. “Craving? I thought Poppy was the pregnant one.”
“I’ll get you some popcorn,” I offered, patting Viol’s knee. He smiled at me instead of falling for Saffron’s bait.
I gave him one last affectionate pat before slipping back into the kitchen.
Just as I was rummaging through the pantry for a bag of popcorn, I heard a series of shouts from the living room.
I yelped, dropping the popcorn. Crimson shot me a panicked glance.
Without a second thought, he abandoned his apparently-not-eggs and dashed into the living room alongside me.
I was hit by a flash of realization. Though my heart raced at the suspense, I didn’t feel any of the sharp tendrils of panic I was used to.
After years of endless anxiety, this little moment of excitement was like a cold plunge—a refreshing shock.
A novel tranquility settled into the dark pit where apprehension used to plague me. I wasn’t afraid anymore.
Swift but calm, I hurried to the living room. Viol sat wide-eyed on the couch while the twins stood with their mouths agape over him. When I saw what they were all gawking at, my heart stopped.
The egg was cracked.
I sucked in a breath, then broke out of my spell, rushing over. The egg was pipped right at the crest. A tiny, dark hole among the glittering purple.
The whole room went silent, not daring to take a breath. As the reality of it sank in, my heart began racing in excitement.
Our child was hatching.
I placed my hands on opposite sides of the egg’s shell, close enough to Viol’s hands that our thumbs brushed together.
He met my gaze briefly, eyes flashing, then dropped his attention to the pipped egg.
Time seemed to slow as the tiny hole remained still and quiet.
Then, with a tiny thud, a crack spread across the top of the shell.
“Come on,” Viol mumbled, his voice tight with encouragement.
I leaned in closer to the egg. My heart thumped so fast it felt like it might burst from my chest. “Come on...”
As if in response to our voices, a third crack splintered across the front of the shell, a hairline fracture splitting it in two. I could barely breathe from the anticipation.
A tiny squeal erupted from inside the egg.
My heart skipped a beat.
The beautiful first sound of our baby’s voice.
“You’re almost here,” Viol urged.
With Viol’s fatherly encouragement, our baby decided to finally emerge. The front crack burst open in a spray of purple shards. I gasped, cupping my hands forward to catch our baby as they tumbled out of their egg.
A small bundle of damp white fur landed in my palms.
A wolf cub.
The air left my lungs, but my whole body felt supernaturally buoyed, like I was lighter than a feather. And yet, new power surged through me, born of my parental instincts. I’d never felt stronger.
I shuddered, overcome with the urge to shift and lick my baby clean. Viol understood without words; he took our newborn while I shifted, then held them steady as I performed my parental duties.
“She’s a girl,” I announced. “A sweet little she-wolf.”
Stars danced in Viol’s eyes. He was happy beyond words.
The twins and Crimson remained silent, as if afraid to break the magical spell in the room. When I finished fluffing up my newborn’s soft fur, I turned to Aurum and Saffron.
“I’ve never heard you two be so quiet for so long,” I teased.
They both nearly choked.
Saffron flushed as he sputtered, “Forget about us! Your baby is here, that’s way more important!”
My tail wagged. “I want our daughter to know her whole family. Come closer. Don’t be shy.”
The twins exchanged a glance, then apprehensively looked at Viol for approval. He was totally captivated by our baby, but gave his brothers a brief inviting smile. The blond dragons sidled over. Both their faces melted when they saw our fluffed-up newborn cub up close.
“Oh. My. Drake,” Saffron murmured. “That is straight up one of the cutest babies I have ever seen.”
Rorik, Mylo, and Crimson quietly padded over to join the twins. I think they wanted to give us space, but I wanted the whole family involved. I wanted my daughter to know, from the second she was born, that she was loved and cherished by not just Viol and me, but an entire family.
“What do you think?” I asked Viol. “Shall we call everyone here?”
“Sure,” Viol murmured, still beaming at our daughter. But I got the feeling that he secretly wanted to show her off to everybody.
The twins—and their loud voices—ran off to gather the family. Soon, the living room filled up with warm, familiar faces, all excited and ready to welcome the newest addition.
As each alpha and omega hurried over, my heart swelled.
This... this is what I’d wanted for so long.
Not wings, or the ability to fly I’d yearned for in the tundra clan back when I didn’t understand my heart’s true desire—that what I needed was a real family. To be surrounded by loving, accepting people who would do anything for each other. To feel safe in the knowledge that I truly belonged.
That I was home.