Page 110 of Ascendant Moon
“Congratulations, dads! You have a Beta female, born at 7:16 p.m.”
Lincoln curled around the little one to keep her warm, making sure that a nipple was close to the pup’s scrunched-up face. Scooter leaned down to scent her and lick his mate’s muzzle before forming a protective barrier with his own body. Enchanted, Melva moved a little closer to snap some photos, and then backed away when Scooter growled at her.
“If it’s all right, can I come back tomorrow to say hello? We’ll need a name for your little darling, too.”
About the only thing Scooter’s wolf could manage was more growling, so Lincoln nodded his head at Melva. Tomorrow seemed a long way off at this point, and all Lincoln wanted to do was sleep. Donna shooed everyone out and rattled off a few instructions before leaving the apartment.
“Lincoln, keep her warm and fed, and shift back whenever it’s convenient for you. Scooter can prepare the things you’ll need ahead of time, and I left printed instructions on the kitchen counter just in case. If you need someone to watch the pup while the two of you get acquainted, just call. Perdy will be bringing meals and collecting laundry for a few days so you can enjoy bonding to your little one. Unless you need me sooner, I’ll give her a quick exam before you introduce her to the pack. I think you’re going to be great dads!”
Chapter 55
Monday, November 15th
The pup nursed several times during the night, watched affectionately by her fathers. Driven by hunger and a full bladder, Lincoln finally got up to relieve himself and get something to eat after their first long nap, but hadn’t shifted yet. He wanted to wait until morning, when they were all rested and before anyone came calling. As expected, the little one’s scent was a mix of Lincoln and her deceased sire. Nothing could be done about that, and her daddies would just have to get used to it. She certainly wasn’t to blame, though sometime in the future the girl would be told the difficult truth.
About an hour before sunrise, Scooter awoke to find his daughter rooting around for a nipple. He used his snout to gently nudge her in the right direction, and Lincoln wearily raised his head when she began to suckle. They gave each other wolf kisses and then settled down to watch. Lincoln couldn’t help but wonder how different things might have been if he’d encountered his true mate before Ballard had impregnated him.
He was fairly certain he and Scooter would have waited to have their first pup, though the enticing man was hard to resist. Nate was hot, sweet, patient, and considerate—exactly what Lincoln wanted in a man, but hadn’t known until they’d met. They barely knew one another and were already parents, but somehow Lincoln knew things were going to work out. After all, Luna had obviously arranged everything just so, and who was he to doubt the wonderful life they could have together?
As he and his mate watched the little one eat, Lincoln revisited a question that had troubled him for some time—would she acceptScooter as her daddy? Fortunately, they’d had a conversation with the Calhouns about that very issue. Roman explained what had happened to them and what it meant for their pups.
“Our circumstances were a little different, but in the end, our boys bonded with me right after I claimed Lance. It was our newly combined scent that did the trick, and I bet the same thing will happen with you. Just don’t wait too long.”
Scooter was certainly on board with the idea, and Lincoln had no objections. It’s true they didn’t know one another in human form yet, but they’d been together for six weeks and had made it through some difficult days already. As far as they knew, no one else in the pack had met their mate while locked in wolf form, so yes, this was new territory.
They’d have to start all over again, though notcompletelyfrom scratch. Knowing they were mates clarified the situation, and having a daughter to care for would be an additional bonding experience. Both men were on the young side for mating and parenthood, even for shifters, but Ben and Evan believed they would be just fine.
After the pup finished eating, they all went back to sleep for a couple more hours until hunger woke both men. Scooter got up and shifted, slipped on a pair of loose shorts, and leaned down to stroke Lincoln’s face while giving the pup a good scenting.
“Let me get everything ready so you two can shift, and I’ll be right back. Do you want to do it here instead of the nursery?”
Lincoln nodded, curling a little tighter around the pup to keep her warm. Scooter hurried out to gather the supplies and heard a soft knock on the door. He opened it to find a smiling Perdy, holding a large basket of breakfast food.
“Is this a good time? I can just leave it here if you want.”
Scooter gestured her inside with a smile.
“Good morning, Perdy. I was just going to get some things so Linc and the pup can shift. Would you mind putting that on the kitchen counter?”
Since Scooter looked a little uncertain, Perdy helped him mix a bottle of formula. Next, they slipped into the empty nursery to grab a diaper, changing pad, onesie, and a blanket. She also offered him some advice.
“Take turns feeding and holding her so the little one gets used to your scent, too. And the best time to get a nap or have sex is right after a bottle, while she’s sleeping. Be sure to call me if there’s anything you need, all right?”
Perdy let herself out while Scooter took everything to the bedroom. Lincoln had overheard their conversation, and the aroma of breakfast caused his stomach to rumble in anticipation. He intended to ignore his hunger for now, eager to get back into his human form and meet his daughter. Scooter arranged all the baby items on the floor near the nest and then reached over to transfer the pup to the changing pad.
“Okay, mate. Time to shift.”
Lincoln’s body began the transformation, with the pup only a couple seconds behind him. Plaintive cries filled the air as the little one was awakened by a shocking change she didn’t understand. Lincoln fumbled with the diaper and onesie, assisted by Scooter, who handed him things while studying both of them. The baby stopped crying by the time she was wrapped in a light blanket and held securely in Lincoln’s arms.
Tears streamed down his cheeks as he scanned her tiny face, thrilled to meet his daughter at long last, amid a worrying question that he’d chosen not to share with his mate. Scooter leaned in to scent them both, rumbling with pleasure, and settled the matter quickly.
“She’s got blue eyes, like me, but otherwise looks just like you. See, she’s got your nose and mouth, and even the widow’s peak! I don’t think anyone will ever question who her daddies are, based on looks, so no worries there.”
Lincoln swiped away the remaining tears and leaned in to kiss Scooter for the very first time. His lips were warm and soft, with just enough pressure to send a shiver all the way to Lincoln’s groin. They both moaned at the intimate contact, enjoying the scent and flavor of one another for a few moments before their little one began to fuss. Based on the time, she was due for another feeding, and they got up off the floor.
Lincoln handed the pup over to his mate while he went to the dresser for a pair of boxers and a T-shirt. Scooter growled appreciatively at Linc’s sexy body—about five foot seven, lean muscles, a full beard, and more body hair than expected. He popped a boner that lewdly tented his shorts, making Lincoln blush. The flair of pheromones must have confused the little one, and she abruptly stopped fussing to stare at the person holding her.
“Damn, you’re gorgeous! I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off of you for long. And say something, Linc. I’ve been dying to hear your voice.”
