Page 155 of Labor of Love

He nodded. “We can make that happen. It should have already, but we’ve been a bit busy. Nolan is the sheriff and a bear shifter. His mate Barrett is a human.”

“A human? How does that work? I know the town is warded and everything.”

Judy had told me when I arrived that everyone here knew about shifters because the town had a protection spell on it to keep others out. Shifters could come through easily, but humans would be rerouted until they passed it completely.

Which was why this Barrett guy was interesting. How did he get in? And how did a mating between a human and a shifterwork anyway? I was under the assumption it wasn’t possible at all.

“It’s their story to tell. Fate definitely had a hand in it though.”

Taking more sips of my drink, I watched my mate as he went on a rant about the town and its warding. He mentioned that he used to think it was the reason his mate hadn’t come along yet. He claimed to hate it while also loving the fact that he didn’t have to hide his true self from anyone.

The town made it possible to be free in a world where we’d often had to hide our true natures. I was lucky enough to have been brought here by fate — and some shitty circumstances. Ironically, I hadn’t thought of my ex at all in the days since meeting my Alpha.

There was no comparing the two men.

“What are you thinking about, Omega?” he asked when I went quiet.

I tugged at his arm until he moved to sit beside me on the couch. Leaning into his shoulder, I sighed.

“Just about how lucky I am to have found you. I came here because I thought I was heartbroken. And now, I barely remember what that feeling even was. You’ve filled up every empty part of me and loved me beyond my wildest dreams.”

He kissed the top of my head. “As it should be, mate. And as it always will.”

7

MAKLIHN

Afew years back, I started writing letters to my family because I missed them something fierce. It was part of my journey to healing what I’d lost while waiting for my mate to show up. With the realization we had a baby on the way, I decided to transition to writing letters to my future child. They’d be like diary entries to give them a chance to know what life was like before they came around.

Dear Kiddo,

Your dad here. This first letter is going to be a bit rough. I’m all kinds of emotional right now knowing you even exist. I’ve wanted to have a mate and a family for so long. This still feels like a dream.

Your papa is amazing. He’s taken the news of you like a wolf to winter.

Everyday it’s a new adventure. There are medicines to take and stretches to practice to ensure he’s limber for delivery day. It’s been fun watching him learn all he can before you get here.

And man, I hope you know how loved you already are. We’re eager to meet you, kiddo.

We’re probably going to hover and keep you too close. I hope you understand it’s for the best. This life is long, but it’s also short.

One day, you’ll understand what I mean.

There aren’t enough words in the world to tell you how excited I am to be your dad. Can’t wait to meet you. Need to end this now since your papa needs another snack. He says you’re extra hungry today.

Love you,

Dad

P.S. We’ve known about you for one month.

Dear Kiddo,

Man, time sure flies. It feels like only yesterday I wrote you that first letter.

Fun fact: It wasn’t yesterday. More like five weeks ago.

Since then, things have moved a bit quicker. I’m not going to go into how babies are made just yet; however, I will say you only get five months of baking in Papa’s belly before we get to meet you. If you do the math on it, we’re already almost to the halfway point.

---