Page 28 of The Alpha Grizzly's Mate

I’d never lived until he walked into my life.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “Thank you for accepting me as yours, for giving me our family, for still being here.”

I held him close, tears of joy slipping down my cheeks. I couldn’t remember a time in my life when I had felt this happy, and I wanted to hold on to this memory until my last breath.

Chapter Seventeen

Levi

“Daddy Levi!” Avril, our youngest cub, barged into my office right in the middle of a meeting with my betas. Her reddish pigtails bounced as she ran over and tugged on my shirt. “It’s time.”

“Avril, I’m in a meeting, sweetheart. Can we talk later?”

She put her hands on her hips. Her face reddened as she puffed out her cheeks. “No. Papa said you have to come now. He said kick your shins if I need to. Papa Colson needs help.”

I stood at the level of seriousness in my little one’s tone. “Where is he? What’s wrong?”

She started away, of course knowing I would follow. “Papa said the baby is coming.”

My little cinnamon bear cub really should’ve led with that.

“Betas, we will continue this later.” I didn’t wait around for their reply, nor did I wait for Avril to lead the way. I picked her up and held her against my side, quickening my steps. “Where is Papa?” I asked her.

Sure, I could guess, but my girl was smart.

“He’s in the bathroom. On the floor. Making this sound.” She made something between a moan and a grunt.

“Why is he in the bathroom?” I took the steps two at a time, making sure not to jostle our daughter too much.

“He was brushing his teeth after tuna sandwiches.”

Ah, yes, our lunch.

“Okay. Where are your brothers and sister?”

“With Aunt Patty and Papa.”

At least Colson wasn’t alone. I pushed the door to our suite open and put Avril down. “Aunt Patty?” I called out, not knowing if my mate would be able to answer me if he was in pain.

“We’re in here.”

I walked into the bathroom to see Aunt Patty helping Colson up and supporting him. “Here, mate. Let me help you. Did we call the healer?”

Aunt Patty nodded. “Jacob is on his way. He just delivered another baby. Two minutes. That was his ETA.”

“Good. Colson, where do you want to go?”

“The bed.”

“Do you know how far apart the contractions are?”

Colson nodded. “One minute, mate, and my water broke. It all happened so fast.”

“You’re doing great. Here we go.”

I laid him on the bed but, immediately, he rolled over to his hands and knees. “Patty, can you take the kids, please? I think this is going to happen any second.”

As soon as Patty wrangled our children out of the room, Colson turned to me. “Take my pants off. This baby is coming out. Now.”

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