Page 6 of Wild Born

I opened my mouth to tell him that as pack Alpha it was his job to know, but as usual, Lee knew what was up.

“There’s a special birth certificate we have,” Lee said. “It’s a wild-born birth certificate that also acts as an adoption record.”

“Are there health problems associated with being wild-born?” Darian asked.

“Only if he would be exposed to something before all his baby shots, but that’s the case with all babies,” Lee said.

“Do we have the form, or do we have to call Sky up on the mountain?” Darian asked.

“I have the form. It’s all part of the medical system,” Lee grinned. “I found it while Bane was feeding the baby.”

“Let’s not tell everyone about him just yet,” I cut into the conversation. “He’s a pup who’s been through an ordeal already. Let him have some time to adjust. Let’s wait until the bloodwork comes back anyway.”

“I’m not going to tell anyone, but people are going to notice you two with a new pup,” Darian pointed out.

“Maybe,” Lee grinned, “but except for a few people, it’s none of their business. He’s not some medical experiment. He’s a pup. We’ll find the proof he’s wild-born in his blood, but we’re not going to find the magic that allowed him to be born that way. Every time someone is wild-born, everyone wants answers and ---”

“He is a pup of the Hemlock Wolf Pack,” Darian interrupted him, “whether he’s wild-born or not. He’s a wolf pup born within our territory. Don’t worry. Even if the news gets out, he’s one of us.”

“Thanks, Darian,” Lee smiled and some of the tension fled his shoulders.

Chapter Four

Lee

We could have run the pup’s bloodwork ourselves, but I didn’t want to leave room for anyone to speculate that we lied about his beginnings. He was tiny, hungry, and displaced already. He didn’t need to be at the center of a so-called scandal on top of everything else. So instead of running that risk in a few days, Doctor Michael Lawngry of the Guardians of Glitter Bomb would conduct his own labs to confirm what we already found. The GGBs were our allies, but not closely aligned enough to lie for us.

“I don’t think he’s going to make international news,” Bane said as we settled into bed that night.

The pup, still unnamed, was tucked away in the crib in the nursery we always kept ready. We’d fostered a few pups over the years and babysat enough to know better than to think we didn’t need a nursery. The kids were excited about the new baby, but we hadn’t told them where he came from either. Before his bedtime, Graysin sat quietly watching the new pup. His eyes glowed with curiosity and joy. He was also very insistent that we had to name him soon, because names were how we knew we were family. At least, that’s how we knew according to my kiddo.

“He could,” I countered. “We’re trying to keep things quiet, but we know from experience quiet is hard to maintain. The world thrives on noise. Silence is perceived as a void, everything and everyone wants to fill up. So, I’m covering our asses. Michael’s a good doctor too.”

“Never said he wasn’t,” Bane smirked at me.

“Alpha,” I groaned. “I’m too tired for everything that smirk says. I’m sorry.”

“Come here,” he tugged me closer as I told Magi to turn out the lights.

The hearth magic sunk the bedroom into darkness as Bane pulled me to his chest. He kissed the top of my head and I buried my face in his chest. His scent wrapped around me like a warm, familiar blanket and my eyes drifted closed.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled again.

“It’s been a long day,” Bane chuckled. “There’ll be other days.”

“Thank you for not being a cave-alpha.”

“I’m too old to become one now. Besides, it’s no fun if you’re not as into it as I am,” he said and kissed the top of my head again. “I’ll take the first cry tonight. You get some rest.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, mate. Happy Wolf Day.”

***

That night I dreamt of Travis and Trista as little babies. The moments I first held them in my arms played out in vivid detail despite them being parents now. I woke up reaching out for Bane and straining my ears for the sound of a little cry. It had to be my turn sooner or later. No pup that age slept through the night without crying for food at least twice. Usually much more often than that.

I opened my eyes and slammed them shut again. Midmorning sunlight shined through the window, and I was in bed alone. My wolf yawned inside his inner sanctum, and I blinked, confused. Was I still dreaming?

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