Page 50 of The Night Wolf
“Come in, Dani.”
She stepped into the room, a tray in her hand. Sean could smell her delicious soup and a cheeseburger, and his mouth watered.
“You brought me soup and a burger!” He sighed. “I love you.”
Behind her, Caleb appeared, his face a mask of concern. “How are you feeling?”
He’d been asked that every hour on the hour by Gareth, and at random intervals from Dani, Caleb, and Lyram. It was exhausting.
“Tired.” He gestured, and both his visitors entered the room. Dani put the tray over his lap, and Sean dug in. “God, this is good.”
As soon as Sean took his first spoonful, redolent with chicken and vegetables, he turned toward Dani. She stared at his belly, which had swollen slightly in the last few days. Defensively, he put a hand over the pouch.
She turned her head up slowly, stopping when their eyes met. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to stare.”
Sean’s lip trembled. “You think I’m a freak.”
Dani reared back. “What? Oh no, sweetheart, that’s not it at all!” She came and sat on the side of the bed. “I miss the sound of children laughing, their first steps, when they’re learning to speak. I even miss the incessant questions they ask. Looking at you, I see the chance to have that again. You’re not a freak, Sean. You’re a miracle. Gareth says Mother Moon sent you to us, and we’re happy she did.”
Warm tears slid down Sean’s cheeks. Damned hormones. They’d been all over the map the last two days. From giggles to hysterical laughter one minute, then anger and crying the next. Gareth had Dr. Frank visiting daily to check on Sean, and he appreciated and resented it at the same time.
Sean sighed. He had a much better appreciation of what women had to deal with when they were pregnant. And he was going to have his baby in six weeks or so. How the hell did women deal with it for nine whole months?
“Hey, sweetheart, don’t cry. I promise, we’re all going to be here for you whenever you need us.”
“Mom’s right.” Caleb sat on the opposite side of the bed and took Sean’s hand. “You make us feel good just having you around. You make Gareth smile. The whole pack is better for having you here, and I know when the time comes, your baby will be every bit as welcome as you are.” He grinned. “I can’t wait to teach him. Working with you has shown me how much I like helping people. I mean, I’ve always done what I could for the pack, but you being pregnant has given me other things to think about. Now I’m thinking maybe I want to work with the pups, and was considering schools that could show me how to meet their needs. It’ll be nice to have a… a nephew to practice on.”
And there went the waterworks again. Sean moved the tray off his lap, grabbed a pillow, and covered his face. No way could he hold back the tears after Dani and Caleb had shown him so much love.
“Hey….” Dani’s voice was soft and gentle as she pulled the pillow down. “It’s okay. No need to hide. When I was pregnant, I went through the same thing. I admit, it wasn’t as volatile as yours, but I was weepy too often. I couldn’t understand how Micah would want me, because I was a screaming harpy one minute, and then the next I needed him to love and comfort me.” Then she smiled. “Oh, but the cravings. Wait until you get those.”
“I already have been,” Sean muttered under his breath. Of course, a wolf’s hearing was good, and Caleb would have to hear him.
“What do you want?”
“Oh no. It’s okay. You don’t need to put yourself out.”
He huffed. “Sean, what is it you’re hungry for? That’s my nephew or niece you’re carrying, and I want him or her to be happy.”
A snicker bubbled up out of Sean at the earnest expression on Caleb’s face. He sighed. “I want pizza. Thick crust, with a ton of cheese and meat.”
Dani stood. “I can help with that.” She started for the door, but Sean called out to her. “What can I do for you, Sean?”
“I want a specific kind of meat.” God, he felt so freaking needy. “I’m craving the Wagyu ribeye steak that Wolfgang had at his restaurant.” He winced. “I want a hundred-dollar cut of steak on my pizza.”
“Then we’ll get it for you.”
Sean’s jaw dropped open. “That’s an expensive pizza.”
“Nothing is too good for my mate and our pup.” Gareth stepped into the room. “If that’s what you want, then I’ll make sure you get it.”
He pulled out his phone and dialed. A few moments later, he held up a finger.
“Wolfgang? Good evening. It’s Gareth. How much of that Wagyu ribeye do you still have?” A pause. “Okay, I want you to send it all to my house. Then order another couple of cases. I don’t care what you have to pay for it.” He chuckled. “Sean has a taste for steak, and only yours will do. Yes, we’re celebrating.”
For a moment, Sean feared Gareth would tell Wolfgang about the baby, but he winked.
“I asked Sean to marry me, and he agreed.”
