Page 249 of Labor of Love

Ryland bent down to run his nose along Lothian’s neck, his hips still working to bring them both pleasure. He inhaled deeply. “Gods, you smell amazing. I’ll never get enough of you.”

Lothian wrapped his arms around Ryland’s neck and buried his hands in his hair. “Come here, then.” He drew Ryland’s mouth against his pulse point, turning his head to give the alpha vampire better access. He didn’t want to wait another second to be bonded to this male. “Feed.”

Ryland’s teeth pierced his skin with a pop. Blood seemed to rush through Lothian’s body to meet the bite, and a deep, sweet languidness began flowing through him. It was wondrous. He couldn’t contain the cry of delight that flew from his lips as his orgasm crashed down on him. His whole body shook.

Growing up, omegas were often instructed about the bonding bite.

It was a momentous occasion, after all.

Their teachers had said there would be pleasure with the bite, but no one had said how much. Lothian didn’t think anything had ever felt so good.

Ryland took another mouthful of blood, and Lothian actually felt the bond snap into place. There was a tie now, between him and the alpha, that could never be broken. A moment later, Ryland followed him into bliss, his voice hoarse and body shaking. Lothian felt the warm spread of his seed, the stretch of his knot locking them together. He recalled feeling like this the first time, that his body and Ryland’s had been made to fit together. And now they did.

Lothian sighed. “Perfect.”

6

Lothian collapsed back onto the bed, his round stomach sticking out above him. “It’s not going to fit.”

Ryland chuckled from his spot on the edge of the bed. “It’s okay if it doesn’t. We can improvise.”

Beside them, Dante humphed. “Whose idea was it to have a Bonding Ritual when you’re about to give birth?”

Lothian reached up and touched the marks on his neck, the remnant of their bonding. But he had been adamant he wanted a Bonding Ritual before the baby came. Now, when the dress wouldn’t stretch over his belly, he was reconsidering.

Ryland ran a hand over his shoulder and smoothed his hair. “It’s fine. You still have a week until the ceremony. We’ll have the modiste take it out. Problem solved.”

A pain rippled through Lothian’s abdomen. He cupped the rounded flesh. Ryland covered his hand with his own. Beneath their twined fingers, the baby shifted.

Lothian gasped.

Ryland frowned. “What is it?”

He’d been having pains off and on for weeks, but nothing quite this sharp. He sat up, rubbing a hand against his side as hismuscles clenched. Then, he felt a gush of wetness between his thighs. It felt like slick but more watery.

“Oh.” He met Ryland’s golden gaze. “Best go get Agnes. I think it’s time.”

Dante stood up. “He’s early!”

“Only a little. That happens sometimes. It’s fine.”

Ryland helped Lothian up off the bed and wrapped an arm around his waist to support his weight. “Let’s get you to the birthing room.”

“How are you so calm?” Dante took his place on Lothian’s other side, gripping his arm.

Lothian shrugged, heart swelling. “This is the easy part. I just do what my body tells me.”

Dante snorted. “Oh, now you do. I had to practically kidnap you to get you and Ryland together.”

Another pain gripped him. He breathed in sharply.

Ryland pushed open the door to the birthing room and led him to the bed. Thinking back on that day, remembering Ryland’s words to him, he felt a rush of love well up in him. He gripped Ryland’s hand.

“Thank you.”

Ryland frowned, that adorable line appearing between his eyebrows. “For what?”

Lothian reached up and smoothed the line with his thumb. “For taking care of me. Always.”

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