Page 41 of Labor of Love

To Corbyn’s shock, Shiloh suddenly doubled over, reaching between his legs just as a head dropped onto the sheet. The rest of the baby splodged out behind it, and Shiloh quickly scooped the little one into his arms and brought it up to his chest, giving Corbyn his first look at a newborn.

The face was squished, red, and wrinkled, and the whole body seemed to be covered in some sort of slime. But as Shiloh looked up quickly and offered a shy smile, Corbyn’s future path realigned, and he made his first ever vow.

He would cherish the omega known as Shiloh and their new child forevermore. Now all he had to do was get to know the man, and that wasn’t going to be easy.

3

What a difference an alpha makes.Corbyn was clearly a man of action. The moment Shiloh had finished giving birth, Corbyn was giving orders, demanding that Shiloh be granted blankets and fresh sheets. He sent out for food for them both, refusing the sustenance the facility owner offered, and the offer to move Shiloh to a more “appropriate” room. Shiloh could sense there was a bit of a story there, but it wasn’t as though he and Corbyn were given any privacy to discuss it.

Within an hour, clothing arrived in packages from expensive stores, including baby clothes, diapers, and clothes for Shiloh. While Shiloh appreciated the baby outfits, he shook his head at the clothes that arrived for him.

“I have the sweatpants and top given to me by the rescue. It doesn’t feel right having you spending money on me.”

“I probably haven’t picked anything to your taste. I was aiming for your comfort above all else,” Corbyn said quietly. “I can’t imagine what you’re feeling, and this isn’t really the place…” he gestured at Mary, who was hovering by the door. “But for now, please let me do this small thing and we can discuss what you need after. You accepting my clothes helps easemy wolf at a time when I understand your focus needs to be on the baby.”

That had to be the most un-alpha thing Shiloh had ever heard. Living as an omega, even before he’d been taken, Shiloh knew that in the presence of an alpha, he wasn’t allowed to voice an opinion. Especially one that might be different from the one being expressed by the stronger voice in the room. The fact that Corbyn picked up on his discomfort at accepting so many gifts, and appeared prepared to discuss Shiloh’s situation with him at a future time was unheard of.

But Corbyn was right about one aspect. Shiloh could barely comprehend he’d been claimed by an alpha at all, and it was easier for him to focus on his precious baby. Shiloh wasn’t sure he’d ever want to let his new daughter out of his arms, although logic dictated he’d have to eventually. But there was a huge part of him that just wanted to cry with the relief, feeling her sturdy weight in his arms.

His little girl was his eighth child – one of four born living. With his other three live births, Shiloh had barely heard them whimper as they were literally snatched from his ass the moment they’d shown their head, and taken away. Leaving Shiloh bleeding and his heart breaking.

Not this time.Shiloh had no idea about the state of his ass or if it was even healing, but he was determined to think positive thoughts. His survival instincts reminded him he knew nothing about the man who’d claimed him, although his wolf was almost giddy with his own relief at having their alpha nearby.Focus on the moment.

“Have you thought about a name for the little one yet?” Clearly finished on his phone for now, Corbyn took the chair next to the bed – another addition that hadn’t been there before.

Shiloh swallowed the lump in his throat. “I was hopeful that you might consider the name Nora,” he said quietly. “I know I don’t have that right…”

“Please.” Corbyn put up his hand. “I realize you don’t know anything about me or my family yet. I literally gatecrashed this little one’s birth, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to dictate what happens with both of you going forward.” He leaned closer and whispered, “I always imagined my mate would be my equal, and that idea hasn’t changed now we’ve met.”

His eyes widening, Shiloh quickly glanced at the door, but no one was hovering. “Who are you? For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been told it’s alphas that rule our world. Omegas aren’t considered equal to anyone, not even the family dog in some households. How can you…? What the…? Please explain.”

“I’m Corbyn Stone,” Corbyn said simply. “I come from a very old, very respected, very rich family, and yes, that would make me entitled in some people’s eyes. But what a lot of people don’t know, and it’s none of their business, but my omega mother is the most cherished and respected person in our household.

“My brother Jordan and I were taught by our father that omega mates are the quiet backbone for any alpha - the person who keeps our alpha instincts sharp, and who draws out our more sensitive side.” He shrugged. “The presence of an omega makes a decent alpha more caring. They provide us an opportunity to relax, and to have someone to cherish without being perceived as weak. My mother is the strongest woman I have ever known.”

The respect and genuine caring in Corbyn’s tone were evident. Keeping his eyes on his sleeping daughter, Shiloh said quietly, “One of the young women who was kept in the cage next to mine – she was my dearest friend for just over two years. Her name was Nora. She went into the birthing room one day and never came out. This last time, when I realized I was pregnantagain, I vowed that if my child was a girl, and by the grace of some higher power, that daughter would be in my arms – even if just for a moment - I would call her Nora. That is who she would be to me, even if only in my mind.”

There was a moment’s silence, and just when Shiloh wished he’d kept his story to himself, Corbyn’s hand rested heavy and comforting on his shoulder. “Thank you so much for sharing that. Nora is a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl.” The chuckle that followed seemed tinged with embarrassment. “I so badly want to call her our daughter, but I feel like I’d be imposing somehow. You’ve gone through so much…”

He trailed off. Shiloh looked at Nora – sleeping so peacefully in his arms. Yes, he felt protective. But she was so clean, dressed in a little pink jumpsuit that came with a hood with ears. She had his dark hair, and full lips, which even in sleep seemed to twitch as if she had so much to say.

“I…er…”Do it,his wolf urged.We have to trust sometime.“I could really do with a shower. I don’t want to be putting on the clothes you bought me when I’m still a bit…” he sniffed the skin on his other shoulder, “grungy. Could you…? Would you mind holdingourdaughter while I’m in the bathroom? Please. You don’t have to…”

“I want to,” Corbyn said eagerly. He leaned close again – he seemed to like doing that, although Shiloh wasn’t sure why. “I’ll keep our Nora safe from nurses with officious clipboards.”

“You understand.” Realization hit Shiloh as he met Corban’s dark eyes.

Corban nodded as he grinned. “No one will touch our precious until you come back, all right?”

Shiloh wanted to pinch himself. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. But, not wanting to disturb Nora more than necessary, he carefully held out his arms, letting Corbyn work out how he wanted to hold her. His arms felt immediatelyempty, but Shiloh had to be practical. He could hardly take Nora with him in the bathroom.

“I’ll be quick,” he said, scrambling off the bed and reaching for a bag of clothes Corbyn had delivered for him, barely wincing at the tug of stitches he’d been given around his ass. Then, because he didn’t want Corbyn to think he didn’t trust him with Nora, he added, “They probably have a limit on the amount of hot water a rescue can use here anyway.”

“If they did, they don’t now.” Corbyn looked up from where he’d been studying Nora’s features. “My family trust bought this facility about half an hour ago. The lawyers are taking care of the paperwork now.”

“You bought this facility?” Shiloh hugged his new clothes to his bare chest. “Is that why you were here today?”

“Not at all. I was here originally because Blair Peters wanted to secure regular funding from our humanitarian trust. But when I saw the scene in your room with Janice, and heard about the policies they have in place…” Corbyn seemed to collect himself. “They’re not acceptable to the Stone family mission. I’ll explain it all later, but in the meantime, just know you can use as much hot water as you please. Me and Nora are just going to sit here – she’ll be the cute one. I’ll be the one glowering at anyone who dares to come within three feet of us.”

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