Page 57 of The Pregnant Wolf Omega Next Door

“Does that make a difference?”

Quinlan hummed. “Babies are usually born in the same shape as their parents. I’d say toavoidtriggering a shift into merchild, if you don’t have the supplies on hand to deal with that.”

Zenith sucked in a sharp breath, meeting Emre’s eyes. “How do we avoid it?”

“No contact with bodies of water, such as a bathtub. But damp towels are fine. Merfolk feel the urge to shift when they’re in water—it’s just that once your merchild is in their merperson shape, they’ll need to be kept in water until they shift back.”

Yeah, neither Emre nor Zenith were keen on spending hours in the tub, if they didn’t have to. “I’ll have Emre stay as either human or wolf, and we’ll avoid the tub.”

“Yeah, sounds good,” Quinlan said. “Merfolk need special salts in their bath water to keep their scales healthy over time, but you don’t need that immediately. Don’t worry.”

A huge weight rolled off Zenith’s chest. “Thanks, I needed that. This is all good to know.”

“I’ll send over some bath salts. Those will help.”

“I’ll have Huxton pick them up. Thanks again.”

“Thank you!” Emre said.

“All the best with the birth,” Quinlan said. “Send pics!”

Zenith was feeling so much better when he hung up.

“I think I can handle this,” Emre said, straightening his shoulders.

“You’re so fucking strong.” Zenith’s chest filled with pride.

Emre blushed a lovely pink. So adorable.

“First things first,” Zenith said even though his instincts bellowed for him to build Emre a nest. “We prepare for the birth.”

Emre’s eyebrows shot up. “What?”

“What do you need for it?” When Emre only gaped, Zenith continued, “It’s the most urgent thing right now.” Considering how Emre kept having contractions, Zenith was half-afraid that Emre would go into labor the very next minute. They were completely unprepared.

It was enough to make him anxious.

“What are the essentials for a wolf pup birth? A doctor? A midwife?”

Emre shrugged. “A towel?”

Zenith waited. When there was no more to Emre’s answer, he stared. “That’s it? A towel?”

“Well, yeah. There isn’t much you can do. It’s not like classical music relaxes me or anything.”

“Well, fuck.” Zenith hurried to the linen closet and picked out the softest towels. Then he stashed them on a chair next to the bed, within easy reach.

He hurried to the kitchen next, gathering some bottled water and light snacks. In the bedroom, he presented them to Emre.

Emre grinned. “Thanks.”

Zenith’s heart fluttered again. “Anything for you, really.”

“Even your toenail?” Emre froze, looking horrified at himself.

Zenith blinked. “You’d want my toenail?”

“I mean, it’s the least desirable thing I can think of right now. But it’s also kind of gross.”