Page 67 of Claiming Xan
Shay beamed. “Definitely.”
We stayed for a little while, but Shay kept dozing off. The nurses took the baby back to the nursery, and Donovan sank down in a chair with a groan.
“Hey, D? I’m proud of you for staying so calm,” I told him.
He offered me a slow smile. “Of course. I couldn’t afford to freak out,” he said. “Shay needed me to be his rock.”
“You’re a good Alpha, Donovan. One of the best.”
“Thanks, Xan.”
“Could one of you text me when you decide on a name? Pretty please?” I batted my lashes, and Donovan let out a laugh.
“Sure thing, man,” he said.
We headed home at nearly 5:30 AM. River had work, so I stayed up with him until he left, and then I went back to bed. My body sank into the mattress like it was made for sleep, and I was out like a light.
I woke up again around noon, with warm winter sunlight streaming in through the blinds. I grabbed my phone off the bedside table and was surprised to see a text from Donovan. I quickly clicked on it.
It was a picture of the baby, with his length, weight and time of birth, and his name: Silas Maverick.
I typed back a reply:I love it, guys. It’s perfect.
I touched my belly, smiling down at it. Soon…
38
XAN
I couldn’t remembera time when the holidays weren’t packed full of friends and family—both blood-family and found-family.
Our house was always full this time of year, even after Tasha, Quinn and Kace moved out, and it was just me and Mom living here. Because it was still home to everyone in Rubydawn, still the place where Mom hosted her parties and full-moon feasts and holiday bonanzas—and what better way to celebrate than with those you were closest to?
Today was Thanksgiving. People had begun pouring in around noon, even though dinner wouldn’t be served until nearly four.
I dressed cute in a pair of tan leggings and an oversized maternity sweater with a glittery turkey on the front, my hair swooshed off to one side with a bit of gel and hairspray.
River was River, of course—jeans and a hoodie and his Doc Martens. He was also sticking close to me today, I’d noticed.
Ever since our run in with Sky at Bixby’s the other day, and his concurrent meltdown, River had been a bit more agitated than usual. Having a bunch of shifters in our home didn’t seem to be helping matters any.
“If you need to escape into the bedroom, that’s perfectly okay, babe,” I told him.
“I’m fine.” He bit out the words.
I stepped back and gave him a once over, planting my hands on my hips. “You don’t look fine.”
“Xander.” He stared at me, his two-toned eyes sharp before they softened. “I’m okay,” he said, quieter. “I’m just a bit overwhelmed.”
I chewed on my lip. “Well, I need to play the part of the Alpha’s son and go greet guests, so I’ll be in and out. Just take it easy and dip if you need to? Please? I love you.” I leaned up on my tiptoes and kissed up. “I’ll be back soon, promise.”
Quinn and I set up several tables in the dining room and living room, so that everyone would have a place to sit and eat.
The counters in the kitchen were already brimming with side-dishes and casseroles and jello salads.
My stomach rumbled when I saw that Fletcher Rose had brought his famous green pistachio fluff. Oh man. The babyreallywanted some of that.
I’d promised Donovan and Shay that I’d bring them some Thanksgiving leftovers later, since they wouldn’t be able to make it. Mom assured me that she’d set plenty aside for them.
