Page 124 of The Pregnant Wolf Omega Next Door

Then the pup slid out fully, and Zenith yelped. But he caught their baby with one large hand, and their audience broke into applause.

“He’s so tiny! Hello, kiddo,” Zenith said, his hand sweaty around Emre’s. He couldn’t bring their pup up further; he and Emre were still connected by the umbilical cord. Zenith had to walk while he was hunched over, keeping their pup balanced on his hand as they took the last few steps.

Mostly, Emre was staring at their baby.

This child was just as important as Abbie and Bean, and just as beautiful. He looked so tiny in Zenith’s hand.

Even though this was the second birth Zenith had helped with, the alpha looked just as awestruck as he had when he’d glimpsed Bean. Emre’s heart felt so full.

The moment they completed the third lap, all the circles flared a bright blue. Magic swept from Zenith’s body into Emre’s, splitting Zenith’s lifespan between both of them so they would get to grow old together. At Zenith’s temples, a few of his hairs turned gray.

They turned to face each other, matching grins on their faces.

“I love you,” Zenith said. “This ceremony has been crazy, but I’d do it all over again with you at my side.”

“Me too,” Emre said, choking up. “Love you too.”

They shared a clumsy kiss, their noses bumping, mouths smiling wide.

“Here, hold him,” Zenith whispered. His eyes were wet. “You did so well and I’m so proud of you.”

Emre finally released Zenith’s hand, scooping their child into his arms. The new pup was tiny, but human-shaped because this was the form they were both in during the birth. “Hey, little one. Welcome to the world.” To Zenith, he added, “He has your nose.”

“And your mouth,” Zenith said.

Then Emre cleaned the pup’s face, and he began to wail.

Around them, the dragons were roaring in welcome. Sen and Thomas came up to them, pulling Emre, Zenith, and the new pup into a hug.

“Welcome to the family,” Thomas rumbled. “Bean and Abbie too.”

Emre grinned and looked up at his alpha. Zenith’s gaze was endlessly fond.

“Yours,” Emre said. Zenith kissed him.

EPILOGUE

Someone had conjured a jelly monster.

It was bright blue and wobbly, as big as a large shed, and it was lumbering through the forest in the front yard.

“Pups!” Emre called, running after them as they chased down the monster. “Don’t go after that thing!”

“It’s a friend!” said twelve-year-old Bean. “Our friend!”

Emre winced. “A friend?!”

“Yeah! We summoned it!” said thirteen-year-old Abbie. “We’re playing Catch!”

Emre wanted to bury his face in his hands, but the monster was leaving trails of gelatin through the forest. “How did you summon it? And who is going to clean up this mess?”

The pups stopped, all five of them in human shape.

“You?” twelve-year-old Petey said.

Emre narrowed his eyes. “Try again.”

“We’ll clean it!” Nine-year-old Bonnie and Mel bounced closer. “We promise!”