Page 44 of Beyond Fate

“I’m afraid,” Damon confessed. “I’m afraid the pup will be...”

“The most precious gift this world has ever seen,” Aldrin finished for him. “They will possess incredible abilities. Do you want your child to grow up with a resentful and bitter father or in a nurturing family that will help them embrace their powers and teach them how to be a proud, fierce, and loving Frost? You need to let go of your anger, especially toward Panahasi. He’s the reason why your wolf was able to claim Casimir.”

Damon glanced at Aldrin, his brows furrowed.

“He was ready to end the world if Fate didn’t unlock your bond so your wolf could become a part of it,” Aldrin said with a smirk. “Never been prouder of him. He went up against Fate, who would have easily wiped the floor with him.” His smile faded as he shook his head. “I swear I’m surrounded by stubborn males who are trying to give me ulcers.”

Wow. Damon was at a loss for words. Panahasi had been willing to sacrifice everything for him and Casimir? It was hard for him to even comprehend it, but he could feel the intense anger slowly dissipating.

“Hold on. Fate is a guy?”

Aldrin rolled his eyes. “You sound just like your dad. And please keep that knowledge to yourself.” He shared the same reason he’d given Kalen.

“Naw. Remove that info from my head.” Damon scratched his beard. “It’s kind of wigging me out. I’d prefer to stay in the dark about it and just think of it as the cosmos. Makes it seem more like ‘fate’ that way.”

Damon glanced at Christian. The only thing the vampire had been trying to do was protect his mates against a threat.

Just like any preternatural would have done.

“I’d really like to know if there’s any way to fix this. He’s about to end me, and I don’t blame him. But I’d much rather celebrate the happy news of a child with my mate.” He wrinkled his nose. “Though I still think it’s weird as hell I have a bun in a missing oven. I’m also not looking forward to a big belly.”

“Afraid of losing those abs?” Aldrin smirked.

“You have to admit I have a sick-ass body.” Damon waved a hand toward his stomach. He was just teasing. For his and Casimir’s child, he would wreck it in a heartbeat.

“You have a really nice sense of humor, wolf.” Aldrin gestured to Damon’s body. “Your oven is only temporary. That’s what I love so much about the preternatural world. Mother Nature always looks out for you.”

Damon held up a hand. “I don’t want to know if she’s a real person. Keep that to yourself.” When he’d been in the underworld with Aldrin, Damon had been going through a lot. But he had to admit he liked talking to the guy. The keeper was a chill person and had a really nice smile.

“Fair enough, but I’m taking away the keys to your portal ability. Your privileges have been revoked since you keep trying to drive yourself off a cliff.”

“They’re all yours.” He rubbed his stomach. “I always get nauseous traveling through them anyway. Besides, I’m gonna have enough nausea now that a baby bun is inside of me. I don’t understand how Panahasi makes portal travel look so cool.”

Casimir would be relieved to know Damon could no longer use a portal. Plus, it would prevent him from making any more boneheaded moves again, like this one.

“He’s the cool kid everyone wishes they could be.” He gave Damon a smile with a hint of pride in it. “But trust me, you don’t want to walk in his shoes. They weigh a ton.”

Damon couldn’t imagine the immense responsibilities Panahasi had, as not only the leader of the demon warriors but as Life.

As if Aldrin had read his thoughts, he touched Damon’s temple and showed him in a mere second the difficult duties Panahasi endured.

“Holy shit,” Damon muttered in awe, finally understanding for the first time what it truly meant to bear the weight of the world.

“I only gave you that knowledge so you can see why we sometimes screw up,” Aldrin said solemnly. “It’s a heavy burden to bear, Damon.”

Colossal understatement. “I think I’ll stick with my modest responsibilities.” Like raising a child. He glanced up at Casimir and marveled at just how deeply he loved the man. And even more astounding was the fact that Casimir loved him, even after the way Damon had treated his warrior. He vowed to spend the rest of their lives showing his mate just how much he meant to him.

“Is this child going to be our only one?”

Aldrin squeezed his shoulder, as if relieved Damon was finally letting go and moving forward. “Have a brood of Frosts, wolf.”

“How?” He gestured toward Christian and his brothers, feeling guilty that the prince’s mates were there. Damon would never do anything to hurt a mate. Ever. It was engrained in him as a Frost.

And Damon was a goddamn Frost.

Too bad he couldn’t turn back time and start over in the kitchen so he could make things right with Casimir—and never step foot in Christian’s club to begin with. The entire morning had been a major disaster.

“Close your eyes and blow out the candles.”

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