Page 67 of The Night Wolf
“Twins, Alpha. And at the rate they’re growing, I suspect Sean will give birth sooner rather than later.”
Cool hands stroked Sean’s forehead. “Twins?” He gave a watery smile. “We’re going to have a family, love.”
It was too soon. Everything was happening so fast, Sean couldn’t catch up. If the babies decided to put in an appearance before the challenge, Gareth was as good as dead.
Chapter Nineteen
“DON’T EVENthink about getting out of that bed.” Gareth fussed as he fluffed Sean’s pillow and handed him another puzzle book. “Frank said rest and plenty of it.”
“I’m fine.” Sean stuck out his lip. “See? Sean has a sad because he can’t get up and do things.”
Dani chuckled. “Let Daddy worry, because it’s only going to get worse from here. The first sniffles, the bumps, bruises, and contusions—every little thing that happens to those kids will send Gareth into a tizzy.” She put a tray laden with sandwiches over Sean’s lap. “When Caleb was three, he ran into a wall and got a knot on his head the size of an apple. Micah was on the phone with Frank before the wailing even started. Frank put an ice pack on Caleb’s head, but Micah was certain there was more he could have done. He wanted Frank to take X-rays and CAT scans and….” She sighed. “Caleb was Micah’s world.”
“How is Caleb?” Sean hadn’t seen him in the last few days. “I miss him.”
“He’s okay. He’s been spending a lot of time with Lyram, who is treating him pretty much the same way Gareth is treating you. It must be an Alpha thing.”
Gareth’s eyes went wide. “You knew?”
Dani waved him off. “Of course. I can feel the power radiating from him. It’s like yours, only different. And he carries himself with much more… authority. Don’t worry, though. Like I said, it’s not the same as yours. His is like… oh, let’s say a candle. Yours is like the sun.”
“That’s laying it on a little thick, isn’t it?”
“No, I don’t think it is. You’ve both changed recently, grown stronger. There’s something different about both of you. The people in the pack see it. They’re giving Lyram more respect, and you? They’re just short of falling to their knees in worship.”
“I admit, Ifeeldifferent. Especially since I found out we were going to have a baby.” He grinned. “Well, two.” He put a hand on Sean’s shoulder. “Is it wrong I want to wrap them all up in a cocoon and never let them out of my sight?”
“No,” Sean assured him. “I want the same thing, but I think it needs to be an economy-size, because we have to take Dani, Caleb, and Quinn with us.”
“Oh, Sean. I wanted to tell you. I’m not sure what to do. Quinn still isn’t eating. I can’t stand by as he wastes away, I just can’t. When Lyram lets Caleb alone, he’s been going into Quinn’s room and sleeping at the foot of his bed. I think Quinn’s delighted to have a friend. I’ve heard him talking to Caleb and telling him things…. Well, let’s just say they’re things he wouldn’t say to any of us.”
“He knows Caleb is a shifter, right?” That worried Sean. “I don’t want him to think he’s telling secrets to a regular wolf.”
“No, he’s aware. I told him already. It doesn’t seem to matter, though. He asks for Caleb when he needs to talk, and Caleb is more than happy to lay there and listen. Personally, I think it’s for the rubs he’s getting, but that’s just an opinion.” She sighed. “I wish he could tell Quinn to eat.”
Guilt weighed on Sean. On the one hand, he wanted to be the one Quinn told his problems to, but on the other, he was grateful for Caleb’s willingness to lend an ear.
“Tell Caleb thank you for me, would you?”
“Tell him yourself.” She opened the door and whistled. “Come here, boy!”
Caleb trotted around the corner, his eyes narrowed.
“He’s been hoping to get to see you.” She pointed to the bed. “Up.”
“Careful, Dani. Don’t tease him too much. He peed in my shoe.”
A wolfy grin crossed Caleb’s muzzle. He leaped on the bed and flopped down beside Sean.
“Are you hungry? Your mom made me way too much food.” Sean held out a sandwich, which Caleb had gone in two bites. Sean ran his fingers through the coarse hair. “How long before you’ll shift back?”
Dani frowned. “Lyram said he could shift back now. It’s been long enough, and the damage seems healed.”
Sean looked from Dani to Gareth. “Could you excuse us a few minutes? I’d like to talk to Caleb a while.”
Gareth waggled a finger in Caleb’s direction. “Caleb, I’m trusting you not to let this one out of bed. Got it?”
A soft sigh slid out of Caleb.
