Page 59 of Shifting Years
Thinking about how to do it didn't help, but my stomach flexing turned instinctual. There was a desperation to see my child, but he didn't move. Did my little pup sense something? One day, I'll have to reveal the father.
My baby thinks he's unwanted! That must be it.
My shaky hand rested on my hard, rubbery stomach.Little angel, you are loved. Absolutely adored. One day I'll tell you about your father, but you're still wanted. Please, little one. Come and meet your real father, where it counts. The one who went to Vietnam to protect you.
I know what the paper said, but I couldn't believe it. Magic worked on belief, and I had to think of my love still being alive.
Still nothing.
"Okay," said Mary while she held my legs high. "You're an Omega, Mike. This is what you were made to do. Todd isn't around, but at least you met him. Men and women wait for their soulmate or they miss them. You have yours, sodo somethingfor him and your child."
She was gruffer than Penny but absolutely correct. I'm gay and finding another man to love was nearly impossible. We could even have a kid together. The only one who could deny us that life was me, if I didn't step up.
Imagination took over and Todd appeared in my mind with a crisp military uniform. I wasn't for the war, but my man looked so hot andmasculinewhile dressed. Imagination changed it into green, sweaty fatigues. My body increased the slick, either from his muscles under the camo fabric or my upcoming duty.
I kept my tone playful, lightly pressing my stomach. "Out."
The wolves' song surged—higher, faster, vibrating through my bones. The pain stayed. But the fear? That faded. I bore down, muscles clenching, and instinct took over. Not to stop the pain, but to survive it.
Sunlight blurred. I reached out toward nothing, to a ghost, toward the Alpha who should be here. Only the wind kissed my palm.
After a few final pushes, I collapsed back onto the grass.Shouldn't I hear crying?
Penny reached under me with wide eyes and Mary pulled a pocketknife from behind and cut the umbilical cord.
"What are you doing?" I screamed.
"Relax," said Mary. "I mean it. You're going to stress herout."
Her…
Her?
"W-What? Don't males have males?" I asked.
"Usually, but you feel like arguing?" With a smile, Mary presented my daughter with clenched fists and a beautiful howl-cry, but no second father.
***
"I haven't seen your kids in town, have I?" said Kim.
"Well, they aren't kids anymore," I said with a breathy sigh. Raising them was a wonderful experience, but the days of holding them in my arms passed decades ago.
"Are they here?"
"No," I said. "Whispering Hills is a curse to some. Finding your soulmate is magical, but too many wolves wait for The One. Sometimes their Other never arrives."
"Never?" whispered Kim.
"If I didn't take Mike's acid tab, I wouldn't have found Whispering Hills," said Todd. My man stared at the punk Omega. "You had a thought of coming here because of Jack. Is it possible you might have ignored that feeling?"
Kim's far-off look hinted he might not have followed the pull.
"Some wolves pick a path, without knowing, and I had one to make," said Todd. "Would I have everything my father wanted for himself or be hated?"
***
Chapter Twenty-Two
