Chapter 8 Michael
MICHAEL
I woke up before sunrise on Christmas morning with Davey curled against my chest. It was already our routine, and I was sure I could never fall asleep without his weight on me again.
Or his scent.
I inhaled deeply and realized it was changing. We'd only been mated for a few days, but my wolf already knew what was happening inside him. The subtle shift in his hormonal profile was unmistakable.
My omega, my perfect human mate, was carrying our child.
I brushed my lips against his forehead and carefully slid out of bed. We had a late night and he needed his rest, so I didn’t wake him as I got dressed and snuck out of the room.
The small cabin at Winter Wonderland Wilderness Lodge had become our haven for the past several days. A perfect escape from the world that allowed us to bond and strengthen our new relationship.
As I was pouring some coffee, my phone buzzed on the counter. Signal. We hadn’t had that in days. Davey would be ecstatic to be able to talk to his family.
I read the text from the resort manager and smiled. The supplies I’d asked to borrow were ready for me in the maintenance building.
Frank had been more than accommodating when I'd explained what I needed. As an alpha himself, he understood the significance.
I quickly typed back. Thank you. Merry Christmas.
I checked on Davey once more before slipping on my boots. He was still sound asleep, and my heart swelled at the sight of him. How had I gotten so lucky? Just five days ago, we'd been strangers who happened to book the same cabin.
Now, we were mated, and he was carrying my child.
The winter air hit me like a wall when I stepped outside, but my blood ran hot, so it was refreshing. The snow crunched beneath my boots as I made a beeline to the maintenance building. The small structure was unlocked as promised, and inside I found everything I needed for my project.
I'd never been much of a craftsman, but my father had built a bassinet for me, and his father built one for him. It was tradition in my family, and I instinctively knew what I needed to do.
I’d collected some fallen logs in the woods, and with a saw and some screws, I got to work. Time seemed to blur as I worked the wood. The fresh cedar gradually transformed into something precious.
As my hands moved with purpose, I almost didn’t realize I was whispering promises to my unborn child. Promises of protection, love, and a family that would always be at their side.
The simple bassinet took shape within a few hours. It wasn’t fancy, but it was sturdy and made with love.
Davey was going to love it.
By the time I finished with it, it was late morning, and I knew Davey would be awake. I carefully carried my creation back to our cabin as nervous excitement built with each step. He didn't know about the baby yet. But I knew, and I wasn't going to hide anything from my mate.
I opened the door to find Davey awake and making breakfast. His hair was damp from a shower and he looked deliciously mussed.
He turned and nearly made my heart stop with just his smile. "Merry Christmas! I was wondering where you'd disappeared to." His eyes dropped to the wooden bassinet in my arms, and confusion crossed his face. "What's that?"
I kicked off my boots and set the bassinet down near our small Christmas tree. "It’s my gift to you. To us, actually."
Davey approached curiously, running his fingers along the smooth wooden edge. "Did you make this? It's beautiful, but...what is it?"
My throat felt tight, and I took in a deep breath. "It's a bassinet."
"A bassinet?” He looked up at me with his head cocked. “Like, for a baby?"
I nodded and stepped closer to him, taking his hands in mine. "I know it seems crazy since we've only been mated for a few days, but I can already smell the change in your scent."
"What change?" His eyes were wide and his voice was shaky.
“Let’s sit.” I gently pulled him to the couch.
We sat down, but I kept my grip on his hands, rubbing my thumbs over his knuckles.
"Your scent has changed, Davey. It's subtle, but I can already scent that you're carrying our child.
" My eyes never left his as I said the words he wasn’t expecting.
"My wolf knew it almost immediately after we mated.
It's why I've been so protective the past couple days. "
Davey's mouth opened but no words came out. He pulled his hands away and stood up to pace the small living area. "That's impossible. It hasn’t even been a week. I can't be..."
I stood too but gave him some space. "Shifter fertility is different, especially with fated mates. Our biology is designed to forge that bond quickly and permanently."
He stopped pacing and stared at me as his hands pressed against his flat stomach. "You're serious. You really believe I'm pregnant."
"I really know you are." I approached him slowly with my arms outstretched. "My wolf wouldn't mistake this, Davey. It's why I made the bassinet. It's tradition in my family for the alpha to provide the first cradle."
Davey sank into my arms, and I backed us onto the couch. "I don't know what to say. I don't...feel any different."
I covered his hand with mine and pulled it up for a kiss. "It's very early. But in the coming weeks, you'll start to notice changes."
He looked up at the bassinet and then back at me. "A baby. We’re having a baby." Something shifted in his eyes, and I could see he finally believed me. "I always wanted children, but I thought...maybe I was waiting too long."
“You waited just the right amount of time.” He turned my face to kiss me, slowly and with so much emotion. "Are you okay with this, omega? I know things are moving fast."
A tear slid down his cheek, but he flashed a beautiful smile that made my chest ache. "Okay with it? Michael, I'm...overwhelmed, but in the best possible way." He choked out a sob. "We're having a baby!"
I held him tight as relief flooded through me. My wolf howled with satisfaction inside my chest. "We are, sweetheart. Our own little pack."
Davey pulled back and wiped his eyes. "Oh! Your gift! I almost forgot." He jumped up and retrieved a wrapped package that was hidden beneath the tree. "It's not as amazing as a handmade bassinet and a baby, but..."
I carefully unwrapped the tissue paper and found a beautifully sculpted wolf and a man. "You made this?"
Davey nodded and pointed to where the two pieces connected. "Yeah, they fit together. Just like us."
I connected the two pieces and felt my eyes prick. "It's gorgeous, sweetheart. You’re really talented."
He smiled shyly and ducked his chin. "You think so?"
"I do." I pulled him onto my lap and held him in my arms. "You're incredible."
“I’m no wolf, but I guess I’m okay.” He patted his tummy. “I mean, I can create wolves.”
We sat back on the couch and just stared at the bassinet for a while.
Finally, Davey sighed. "I guess we need to talk about what happens next. Like, where are we gonna live?"
I kissed the top of his head and rubbed his arm. "I've been thinking about that too. Your house sounds like it’s better set up for a baby. You have a spare room that would make a perfect nursery, and you're closer to everything we'll need."
Davey pulled back enough to look up at me. “But we don’t have a lot of open space near me. I’m basically in the burbs."
"I can find places to run. That’s no problem." I ran my hand through his hair. "And eventually, when our little one is ready to shift, we can look for something with space."
Davey nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe a cabin in the woods?"
"Something like that." I smiled at the thought. "But that's years away. For now, your house makes the most sense."
"Our house." He pulled on my arm so it was tighter against his chest. "If we're gonna live there together, it's our house now."
I kissed him softly. "Our house."