Page 46 of Alpha Dragon's Mating Contract
Outside of his new circle of friends, Walren hadn’t heard of many alphas who would do that much for a baby.
“Not right away,” Walren said slowly. “But maybe after you’ve seen it a few times.”
Raptor cheered, bouncing on his feet. In doing so, he bounced Walren along with him. Walren had to elbow him to make him stop moving.
For the next several minutes, Raptor watched keenly over Walren’s shoulder as he changed Zebbie’s diapers. “I think I’ve got it. Oh! I know! I’ll follow you around as your student, and get some hands-on practice. By the time you’re ready to birth our baby, I’ll be ready to be a dad!”
Walren wasnottelling Raptor about the spells in his backpack.
Besides, it was oddly touching that Raptor wanted to learn.
Raptor watched as Walren dressed Zebbie. Then he wriggled his fingers at the baby and smiled; Zebbie smiled back and kicked his feet.
“Awww, he’s adorable,” Raptor cooed. “I want one just like him.”
Walren hesitated, his resolve melting a little. Raptor really did seem to want a baby.
“How did you get all these together so quickly?” he asked to stop his thoughts from straying. “The crib, dresser, and supplies. There wasn’t anything about a baby in the original contract; youhad to write it in yourself. And yet by the next morning, you have everything that Zebbie and I need.”
Raptor shifted on his feet, looking vaguely self-conscious. “Well... Remember when I said Ace had a car seat and I had to have one too?”
“Yeah...?”
“He also got a crib, and baby clothes, and stuff.” Raptor’s face turned pink. “So I got them too.”
Walren stared at the alpha, at the way Raptor couldn’t meet his eyes. There was something really adorable about him that Walren couldn’t help noticing. And now he couldn’t unsee it.
“How long have you wanted a baby?” Walren murmured.
Raptor shrugged, scuffing his feet against the floor. “A while.”
Walren swallowed. He knew he shouldn’t encourage Raptor, especially when he wasn’t willing to give the alpha his next child.
The words fell out of his mouth anyway.
“You should prove that you’re committed to being a dad.”
Raptor looked up, his eyes growing wide. “How? I have the crib and car seat, I have the diapers...” He paused, then gasped. “I haven’t made you a nest!”
Walren stared. “What?”
“Yes, that’s right,” Raptor said thoughtfully to himself. “I need to make you a nest so you can sit in it and grow a baby.”
13
THE RUTS GET WORSE
“Growa baby?”Walren spluttered.
Raptor nodded sagely. “Omegas need a space to sit in to focus all their growing powers in their belly.”
“What,” Walren said. Becausewhat the hell?“I’m not a tree! I don’t justgrowbabies like a lemon!”
“You’re right—”
“Oh, good,” Walren breathed.
“—You grow babies like a seahorse,” Raptor said excitedly. “I deposit all the lil critters in your belly, and when they’re ripe, you jet them out like a fountain!”
