Page 49 of Embraced By the Alpha Pack

Nicolai moves forward and smiles, looking at my son. “It’s tradition in my pack that the father bites the umbilical cord. By scent you will know who the father is. He will hold his father’s scent until puberty, then gain his own.” He gives Ruby a knowing smile. That’s a little fact no one bothered to tell me.

Griffin hands me a bottle of juice and I sip at it before looking at his mother. “Who’s cutting the cord, mom?” I smirk looking at my mother-in-law watching her pale.

“You’re putting me on the spot here, Gracie.” She laughs and looks at each of her sons. “Griff, come cut the cord.” She holds her grandson up and Griffin looks shocked between me and his mother. In theory, the way Ethan hogged me during my heat, it should have been him. But Griffin apparently was at the right place at the right time.

When the shock finally wears off, he steps forward and uses his canines to bite through the cord. Ruby secures both ends of the umbilical cord, then wraps up the baby, handing him off to his father. “We have to wait for you to pass the placenta, then off to the shower you go, momma. After your shower, feed the baby and rest. You’ve earned it.” Ruby kisses my temple and excuses herself from the room for several minutes.

“I already texted your Grams and Andrea, letting them know it’s a healthy baby boy. If you allow it, they will come tomorrow to see him.” Conrad says before moving to Griffin’s side to look at the newest Murphy boy.

“How are you feeling, Grace?” Nic asks as he lifts the sheet to make sure I’m not bleeding out.

“I’m good.” I smile and sit up. “Ethan, go meet the baby. Nic can watch over me for a bit.” I yawn and lean into Nic’s arms.

“You sure? I can stay.” His eyes dart from me to the baby, then back again.

“I’m sure. Go give our son some love. I want to rest for a little while.” Ethan kisses my temple, lingering there for a few moments before leaving me.

Nic pulls me into his lap and cradles me like a baby in his arms. The gentle contractions of my body trying to finish the birthing process are a gentle reminder of the miracle I just performed. “You did beautifully Grace.” He presses his lips to my forehead and I can feel the stress melting off of him.

Smiling, I lean into him and nuzzle his neck. “I had a lot of love and support. It helps. Someone spoiled the hell out of me.” I boop him on his nose then curl with a contraction unexpectedly. A soft growl escapes my lips. “I didn’t miss this part.”

“What part?” He looks concerned and starts texting Ruby.

“The passing of the placenta part. I will bleed. It’s normal. Don’t freak out.” I grip his arm and bear down again as Ruby reappears.

“Ah, I see I’m just in time.” She pulls on gloves and checks under the blanket. “Almost done Grace, one more push and it’s all over.” She smiles, looking up at me. I nod and bear down once more and she reaches out and takes away the placenta.

I snuggle into Nic’s embrace and close my eyes. “Rest now. I’ll watch over you.” He moves us so gently and lays us down. I feel him curl around me, surrounding me with his love and warmth. Barrett returns and curls up on my other side and I am lulled to sleep by my alpha and omega.

Chapter 29

Griffin

-Meant to Be- Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line

I have a son…

Agnes returns to the house with both of the pups and they are curious about the bundle in my arms. “Thanks for watching them for us.” I smile looking at her and she laughs as she reaches in her purse.

She pulls out a baby wipe and wipes the corners of my mouth. “You forgot to clean up after cutting the cord, daddy.” Agnes pokes a little fun at me and I can’t help but laugh.

“I was positive it was Ethan’s the way he hogged Gracie.” Shaking my head, I stare down at my son, watching him sleep in my arms.

Agnes pulls me into the kitchen, and she cooks for everyone. “Genetics is a funny thing, Griffin. You and Ethan are identical and Conrad is fraternal. The three of you shared a womb, you and Ethan a placenta. This child sired by you is as much his as it is yours.” She laughs and tosses the bacon into the pan. “What I am saying is that for the three of you, it’s very hard DNA wise to tell who the father is.”

I digest what Agnes is telling me and it’s true. Ethan and I are almost identical in every way. Conrad shares a lot of common things with us, but is lighter built and less aggressive. “I see what you mean. So, I should ask my brothers to help me name our son.” Arching my brow, I look over at her and she tilts her head.

“Have the bond help you and Gracie. That way, no one feels left out.” She offers her words of wisdom and starts working on the sausages and eggs.

Conrad enters with the basin and pauses. “You don’t have to cook. Nic was planning on doing it when Gracie wakes up.” He offers as he takes the washbasin into the mudroom. I can hear him open and close the door to the washing machine, then it starts washing the birthing towels.

“Ruby, Elinor, and I have decided that we will each take a day here doing the cooking for the family. You need time to bond with the baby.” The spatula scrapes the pan as she flips the eggs over.

“Thank you.” I don’t know what else to say other than that. A soft laugh escapes my lips and I walk closer to where she is. “Do you want to see our baby?” I bend down and move the blanket to reveal my son’s chubby cheeks and pouty pink lips. There’s a tiny tuft of black hair on the top of his head.

“He’s absolutely gorgeous Griff.” She leans in and sniffs him. “There’s no mistake he’s of your sire line.” She smiles as she pulls back and watches him. “What color are his eyes?”

Arching a brow, I stare at my son. “I have no idea.”

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