Page 47 of Wrong Number, Right Lion

“Lucian.” Whatever the moon had transferred to me would be shared with our son, and he’d carry that with him forever.

EPILOGUE

KALEN

“Is it time, Papa?” Lucian popped into the nursery for the forty-seven billionth time.

I understood why. He was excited. I was too, but that didn’t make his baby sister finish her feeding any faster. Luna liked to savor her meal, unlike Lucian when he was her age. He wanted to eat then go. The second he learned how to crawl, there was no stopping him.

There still wasn’t. He was the fastest runner in school, something he was proud of. He still had a few years until he could join the track team, but I had no doubt that he was going to rule his events. If I were to guess, his lion was going to be like mine in that way.

Arlo had been worried he might not have a beast, that he might take after him like that. No matter how much I reassured him it didn’t matter if Lucian was a shifter or not, that I’d love him just as much either way and I wouldn’t be at all disappointed, I didn’t think he ever fully believed me. You could see the relief on his face when Lucian mentioned his lion at only three. That wasn’t acommon age for the communication to begin between beast and human, but not unheard of.

My brother was sure it meant he was going to be an alpha and one day a leader for our pride. I wasn’t sure about the alpha part, his omega father just as fierce as any alpha I’d ever met. But the pride part? Yeah, I doubted that. We’d visited the pride lands fairly often, and while Lucian liked seeing my family and playing with all the kids there, he loved being home more. I didn’t blame him. I did too.

“She’ll be done when she’s done.” The bottle her dad had pumped for her was over half finished, it wasn’t going to be terribly long. “And when she is, I promise to come get you.”

“Fine.” He dragged the word out. “I’m going to wait in the kitchen.”

“Don’t bother your papa.” He was finishing up the cake for the party. “It will take him twice as long if you do.”

“I know.” He was only five, but going on tween with his sighs and eye-rolling. If I were to guess, he was going to be an early shifter, and I kept an eye out for the signs.

He went in the direction of his room, singing about cake. I couldn’t really blame him for being excited. I was too. It was not only his birthday, but it was the day Princess was finally getting her forever home. To celebrate, we had friends and family coming for a party, including my brother who had fully adopted the role of cool uncle.

The last time we had this many people here was for our wedding. It had been small by most people’s standards, but the perfect size for us. We had all the people there who loved us most, sharing in our special day. My family didn’t understand thewhole need for the wedding when they came, but the ceremony tugged at all of their heartstrings, and they left with a new found comprehension of the human union.

“Luna, it’s almost time to wow people with your cuteness.”

She didn’t pay attention, still happily drinking away.

“You don’t know this yet, but that tree we’re planting today… it’s special. If it weren’t for the tree she came from, I’d have never met you dad.”

“And he’d still be working too much, never fully living.” Arlo stood in the doorway, frosting in his hair and a smile on his face. “The cake is done. It’s not pretty, but it will probably taste good.”

“I’m sure it’s perfect.”

Luna pulled off the bottle and turned to her dad with a huge grin.

“Looks like someone is ready for Daddy time.”

“You mean she needs a diaper?” Arlo teased, already reaching for her.

“Nope. Changed her before she had her yums.”

“You really are the best mate in the world.” He brought her to his chest, and she let out a very loud burp. “Look at that. I don’t even need to burp you.”

I stood up and wiped the bit of frosting from his face. “They should be getting here soon, and you’ll be surprised by this, but Lucian is ready for them.”

“He’s been asking if it’s time since last night.” Arlo kissed the top of Luna’s head. “My cousin should be here in a few minutes. That should help.”

And as if right on cue, the doorbell rang.

“Lucian, wanna?—”

“I got it.” He bolted past the door and down the stairs.

When my mate and I got there, Arlo’s cousin and his wife were there holding a gift box nearly as large as his torso.

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