Page 53 of The Monster at the End of This Molt

"Tuft didn't want me to help him, either."

Robin nodded. "I can see that. He's really independent."

He was, but that wasn't my point. "I need to do things differently this time. If you're too sick to work, I'll stay home and nurse you back to health. When you go into labor, I'll be there every step of the way. I won't let you go through it alone."

His eyes widened as he met my gaze. "I didn't know it meant that much to you." He pressed his hand to his heart. "As long as I'm not a burden …"

"You could never be a burden." I clasped his hand in mine. Unfortunately, it was the one holding his fork. I released him so he could eat. "I wasn't the most attentive alpha in the past, but I will be here for you. I promise."

His soft grin made my heart melt. "We'll do it together."

* * *

Thanks to our dragon bond, I could sense Robin's bouts of nausea and discomfort along with him. I still didn't know if it was a blessing or a curse. While I was grateful to experience his emotions alongside him, I felt like a complete asshole for blocking them when they became too overwhelming. I couldn't take care of him if I also succumbed to his pain.

He insisted on returning to work after the dragon reunion. I made him tea during our homeroom announcements and brought him a bottle of ice water every afternoon break. As the weeks went by, my beautiful omega's body changed. By the time the eggs dropped into his balls, the slit in his cock looked more like a Phillips head screw.

Lark pulled me aside that afternoon, a Friday, after our final class was dismissed. "I don't expect to see you next week. Even if Robin doesn't lay your eggs this weekend, it's time for you both to take leave."

"You'll be all right without me?" I asked.

Lark rolled his eyes. "I was all right for twenty-some years."

"Tell me you gave me this job out of pity without saying?—"

"It's not pity, Dumbass." There was no heat in his tone. He almost sounded like he was fond of me, which was impossible. I'd put a notch in his ear, after all. "You're a great co-teacher and a good friend, but now's the time to be my son's alpha mate and protector while he feeds your eggs."

"I can do that." I offered my hand, and he shook it. "I'll see you soon, then."

"Very soon, if I know Punky. We’re both fond of our only omega son."

"I've gotta ask." I swallowed hard, knowing how crass my question would sound. "Why did you stop with one clutch? Coz and Grindl had three. Axel and Tuft had two."

"That's easy. We had a Clementine." Lark barked a laugh, and I laughed with him. When he could breathe again, he said, "Pretty sure the others would have stopped at one clutch, too, if they had a daughter on their first try." He sobered. "Life around here won't be the same without her."

"The Meadows isn't that far away." I felt like an ass for saying it after I'd spent over two decades there without visiting my old home. "She won't be like me," I added.

"I'm sorry if you thought … we didn't mean to push you away."

I shook my head. "It wasn't you. I couldn't have lived with myself. I didn't want to influence Robin's every decision."

"I'm pretty sure you did, anyway." He gripped my shoulder and squeezed. "Punky's adopted mom was super religious. She taught the kids this saying, 'What would Jesus do.' Robin didn't know who Jesus was, so that didn't take. Instead, he walked around the house whispering, 'What would Weld do?' It was the cutest thing."

"That's actually really fucking embarrassing, Dad." I'd felt Robin approach through our bond, but I hadn't realized he was now standing at the door behind us.

"What kind of parent would I be if I didn't embarrass my adult son at least once a week?"

Robin looped his arm through mine and entwined our fingers, tugging me toward the door. "I'm about to lay some eggs here. Can I have a few months off?"

Lark grabbed him from behind and gave him a bear hug. I braced for impact, thinking my alpha instincts would be on overdrive now that Robin was pregnant, but nothing happened. Even my claws stayed retracted into my fingertips. As with the first time I'd recognized Robin as my fated mate, I no longer saw Lark as a threat. He was my omega's dad, and my friend. After considering him an adversary, it was a relief to leave all that baggage firmly behind me.

* * *

I couldn't resist teasing Robin when we arrived home. "'What would Weld do,' eh?"

He was so pretty when he blushed. He already had his shirt off, and he tugged at the button of his khaki pants. "It helped."

"What would I do now?"

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