Page 28 of A Swan for Christmas

Vic sighed. “I’m not trying to argue with you, but, those have always been mammals and mammals, or…” He tried to remember if there were any avian and avian shifter pairs he knew of.

Rosemary crossed her arms and pursed her lips. “You seem to have forgotten about my grandchildren. Which is puzzling, since you’re good friends with one of them.”

Vic blinked a few times. Oh shit. Right. “I guess I was somehow equating merpeople with being more mammalian than anything else?” He offered her a smile, hoping it appeared as innocent as he was attempting to make it.

She rolled her eyes. “Good try. Let’s get back to Kellan. You say he’s done with his heat?”

“Yeah, a while ago. We assumed nothing would happen at all, you know, wolf and swan. But he’s been feeling full a lot even when he barely eats, his belly is slightly rounded and a couple times, tonight included, he said his gut was gurgling and he felt funny. However, this whole time, he still hasn’t been able to shift. I’m worried he might be sick or that something is really wrong.”

Rosemary drew her eyebrows together. “Hmm. I only personally knew one pair of swan shifters and this was, oh my, over twenty years ago before they moved to Canada. They had three of the most adorable cygnets, such little darlings. But other than knowing through them that they couldn’t shift when they were in heat, I don’t know much else. I couldn’t tell you whether Kellan still being unable to shift after so long is normal or not.”

Vic dropped his head in his hands, a shroud of hopelessness enveloping him. He was failing Kellan, but not finding the answers that would give him reassurance that everything would be okay.

“Vic, don’t despair.”

Vic lifted his head and gaped at her. “How can you say that? You should’ve seen him tonight. He’d been tearing through the house before I got there, dragging every blanket and towel he could find out of the closets and trying to arrange a nest on the bed. He almost attacked me when I walked in the front door. I’ve never witnessed anything like it.”

Rosemary had the nerve to chuckle. “It certainly sounds as if he’s ready to lay an egg.”

“But…” He didn’t know what else to say to make her understand. Kellan might be able to lay an egg, but it might never hatch. And if Kellan never shifted again, he would likely die. No shifter could survive solely in human form forever.

He started at the touch of Rosemary’s hand on his knee as she sat down next to him. “Listen, dear. I know of an avian fertility specialist only a few hours from here. What if I call him up, find out if he can come see Kellan, or if nothing else, give you a phone consultation?”

Vic grabbed Rosemary in a tight hug. “Oh gods, thank you, thank you so much.” He released the visibly startled woman. “I’ll never forget this. Free apple pie forever.”

She laughed. “You’re very welcome. Now, I have to take care of some business, so is that all I can help you with?”

“Actually,” He gave her a lopsided grin. “I don’t suppose you know where I can get lots and lots of pond snails?”