Page 39 of Two Wrong Turns

The rest of the feeding consisted of a crash course in all things lactation. I took mental notes, then settled more when she reassured me I could call her anytime, day or night. I was also reminded that they’d be staying with us for a few days, so she’d literally be just a few feet away if I needed her help.

With that settled, I let the last of my tiredness steal me away. Lenny was safe in Nolan’s arms, and I was wiped from the birth and feeding combo.

I knew when I woke up, I’d be back at it again, but I didn’t care. This was my life. It was far better than I ever dreamed it could be.

Chapter 16

Nolan

I wasa whipped mess of a Papa. My mate and Lenny had me wrapped around their little fingers.

Not that I was complaining.

I’d do anything for them. They were my world, my heart.

Since the minute I watched Barrett give birth to our precious cub, I’ve been in a state of emotions unlike ever before. Not even puberty could top how up and down I’d been.

One minute I’d be crying. The next I’d be all smiles.

My mother even mentioned that I’d caught my mate’s pregnancy hormones for how irrational I’d been. All I could say in response was, “Thank goodness for paternity leave then,” since I was in no way fit enough to take on the tasks needed for work.

I had four weeks off to acclimate to my new life. Mostly that meant supporting my mate in all the ways he needed.

Whether it was helping him latch, making his favorite meal, or getting up to help feed our cub, I was there and willing to do it. No task was too big or too small.

Every second spent with my family was a gift.

My parents were also a welcome blessing. They’d stepped in to help us get adjusted, taking on things so I wouldn’t feel overwhelmed. Stuff like cleaning up and getting groceries.

They also kept the visitors at bay. Our tiny town was full of busybodies who wanted a peek at the newest member of our family. It meant constant knocks on the door and casseroles shoved into my father’s hands. Mom would take on the role of polite hostess and sit out on the porch with them. It was wonderful to have the inside of our home to be just for us.

Our space became a sanctuary. It might have been filled with diapers, dirty clothes, and a heap of coffee to combat my exhaustion, but it was still peaceful with all the protection we had in place.

Not that we needed it.

No one wanted to harm us. But seeing them was tough on my mate’s social battery. The hospital had been enough to realize that.

“Do you need anything else?” I asked him as I took a sleeping Lenny from his chest. A drop of milk slipped free, and I fought the urge to lean over and taste him.

My knot had been in a constant state of swollen since we’d gotten home. The Alpha in me wanted to breed our mate all over again. It wanted a den full of cubs running around.

The more rational side of me knew he needed recovery time. As were the adjustments to life with a little one around. We’d have plenty of time to add to our family later.

Still, it didn’t mean I wasn’t tempted when his chest leaked or when he bared his neck while stretching after a long feeding.

“I’m good. Thank you, Alpha.” Barrett’s soft voice only added to the strain in my jeans.

While holding our cub, I couldn’t really adjust. So it was no surprise to see my mate’s eyes widen when I stood, and he became eye level with my erection. I would have waited a bit longer if my parents had been around, but they’d left to go finalize the move into their new house.

There was nothing that could slow those two down when it came to moving closer. And honestly, I appreciated the way they wanted to be around for our little one. Lenny deserved all the love he could get, both from his bio family and the town that was already obsessed with him.

I laid our dozing baby down in his crib, then covered him with a blanket Mom had knitted for him last week. He was out cold; the milk having taken him deep into dreamland.

Closing the door, I finally took a second to adjust the near painful boner I was sporting. I went back into the living room to check on my mate, only to find he’d left. With a frown, I took off in search of him.

Where could he have gone? He didn’t seem tired, so he shouldn’t have been in the bedroom. And since he’d eaten while feeding, I had no reason to believe he was hungry.

Something told me to check our room first, despite thinking he wouldn’t be there. It was just my gut telling me to head that way.

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