Page 54 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

“Don’t take a cab,” she says, motioning to a uniformed man. “James will take you home.”

I don’t refuse.

The entire half-hour drive home is filled with his soft sniffles. But after twenty minutes in the bubble bath, with rubber ducks for company, he’s giggling and calm again. I blow raspberries onto his stomach, relieved to see him happy again.

Instead of heading straight to bed, we cuddle on the couch,Finding Nemoplaying softly on the TV. His small body nestles in my lap, his arms mirroring mine.

Nemo’s dad has barely made his way across the East Australian Current when I notice Leon’s head lolling to the side. I put him in the little swing in my room and rock him for a while before lying down. I’ve barely put my head on the pillow when my phone buzzes with a message from Jane:Open the door.

I tiptoe to the door.

“Oh my God! I’m so sorry, girl,” Jane says, pulling me into a hug. “Leah’s sons have become total brats.” She peeks inside without stepping in. “Is he asleep?”

I nod. “Come in.”

“Nah. I just came to drop this off.” She hands a big Tupperware box to me and presses a kiss to my cheek. “It’s cake. I should go. Gunner and I are dropping his parents off.”

“What the…why did you stop here when you have them in the car?”

She shrugs. “I’ve known you longer than them. Plus, I wanted the little guy to have this,” she says before racing back down the stairs.

I sigh and put the box in the fridge before switching off all the lights. As I’m walking back to my room, I hear whimpering. I find Leon frantically moving around in the swing but unable to get down, his eyes confused.

I rush over and pick him up, whispering, “Shh, it’s okay, sweetheart,” hoping he’ll calm down. “Mama’s here.”

His whimpering stops instantly. He buries his face in my neck before tugging at my hair, pulling my face down, and trying to bite my cheeks. I hear a strange mewl.

As I pull back to kiss his cheeks, something catches my attention. His eyes, usually raven-black, have shades of amber flickering through them. My heart skips a beat, and I’m unable to look away.

“Leon?” I say softly, trying to mask the panic in my voice. He giggles and then, in a voice that’s way more mature and deeper than a baby’s should be, he murmurs, “Mama.”

He lets out a mewl again, and I realize he’s trying to growl.

I swallow hard, tears pricking my eyes. This is it. If I ever needed proof, it’s here. And it’s undeniable.

My son is a werewolf. And maybe stronger than most, if his wolf is coming out this early.

It’s a fear that has stayed in my head throughout my pregnancy and the last few months. Now, I can’t ignore reality any longer.

The entire night, I’m unable to sleep. How will my little wolf survive in this world of humans? My mind keeps throwing possible scenarios at me but in each one, I find my Leon struggling.

Over the next few weeks, I brainstorm things I could do to keep him safe.

Maybe we could move to a cabin in the hills? No one would find us there.

But how would I help him shift or connect with his wolf?

Will he hunt? Will he want to eat his prey? Canhe eat prey without getting sick?

What do I even tell him about his wolf?

These questions gnaw at me.

The night before his six-month birthday, I’m lying down in bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of the decision pressing down on my chest.

Do I keep Leon with me or take him back to the place that is part of his heritage, where there’s a whole pack of werewolves who can understand and help him?

While Theron is selfish, I don’t think he would be bad to his son. I know Titan would love him wholeheartedly. Even Vanessa, despite being snooty, would keep him safe. And Alpha Dan would love him. I can just see it.

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