Page 10 of A Hatchling for Valentine’s

Chapter Four

Kellan was very proud of himself. He’d only called Vic twice to check on the egg and only done one video call so Vic could show him the egg was okay. He didn’t think he’d done too badly, considering he and Dora had been gone for almost six hours. Of course, that didn’t count the endless pictures of baby items he’d sent so Vic could help him decide on what to purchase. It was funny how much they were the same. Every single thing he said he liked, Vic said he liked it too.

The piles of bags containing the new things for the baby, plus a special present for Vic, were carefully stashed in the trunk of Dora’s sporty compact car. Fortunately, they’d been able to fit the unassembled cradle in the back seat. The countryside flew by as they traveled on one of the back roads headed to Vale Valley, and Kellan couldn’t stop fidgeting in his seat. The pull of his nest had begun to nag at him right as they had finished their shopping.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Kel? We could head straight back to Vale and go to my cousin’s place another time.”

“No, that’s okay. I really want to go. It sounds as if they have the kinds of things I was looking for. You know, handmade and special.”

Dora patted his arm. “As long as you’re fine with still going. But tell me if you decide you want to leave. They won’t mind and neither will I. Promise?”

“I promise.”

He hoped he could last long enough to at least pick up a crocheted blanket or maybe an embroidered onesie. The past hour had become increasingly uncomfortable, as if there was a slight itch underneath his skin, one that was barely discernible, but all over his body at the same time.

“So,” Dora began. “What’s your favorite thing you got at the mall?”

Kellan bit his lip. He may or may not have overspent. “I love everything, but the fuzzy blue jacket is perfect.” It was a deep jewel blue, puffy, soft and lined with fleece. If it had come in his size, he’d have bought one for himself. “But I don’t think anything could be more amazing than the cradle.”

Dora nodded, but kept her eyes trained on the road. It hadn’t snowed that day and the roads were plowed with added gravel, but it was still icy in spots.

“Yeah, I’d have to agree. I’ve never seen anything quite like that. It reminds me of an antique Dutch one the way it’s enclosed and with how intricate the woodwork is.” She let out a low whistle. “It was priced like an antique too.” She grinned.

Kellan chewed on his lip even harder. “It was the only one enclosed like that. Swan shifter babies like the feel of the nest after they’re hatched. I didn’t know what else to do.” He put a hand to his forehead. “Maybe I should’ve waited.”

Dora sighed. “I shouldn’t have said anything. Kel, it’s fine. You showed it to Vic, he loved it, told you to get it. What are you worried about? And you can’t exactly wait anymore. Dr. Arthur said the baby will be here soon.”

“But I didn’t tell Vic how much it was, only that it was expensive.”

“Kel, seriously. You need to stop already. Don’t you think if Vic was worried how much it cost, he would’ve asked you the price? You said expensive, he said if you like it then get it. Not, ‘how much is it’.”

What Dora said made complete sense, yet he couldn’t help but fret over the bags upon bags upon boxes he had stuffed everywhere in Dora’s car.

“Dora? You’ve known Vic for a while. Do you think he’s really happy about the baby?”

Her jaw dropped and she gasped. “I can’t believe you said that! Do you have any idea how terribly alone he’s been all these years? With no family anymore after he lost his pack?”

Kellan hung his head. “I know, but everything has happened awfully fast. And we didn’t think we could ever have any children at all because of him being a wolf, so we didn’t plan for it. That’s all I mean. Maybe he feels rushed into everything.” Kellan sighed. “I just love him so much and I don’t want him to be unhappy.”

“Kel, I think the asshat who had the nerve to call himself your brother has made you doubt everything too much. You’re an omega. He’s an Alpha. You’re fated mates. What the hell else did you guys think was gonna happen when you fucked?”

“Dora!” Kellan’s face flushed hot. “I can’t believe you said that.”

“Basic biology, hon.” She snorted. “But for real, you’re right about one thing. I have known Vic for a while, and that was one lonely wolf. He was always smiling and friendly, it wasn’t that. But there was a look in his eyes, a dark cloud as if he was haunted by all the horrible memories of his past, as if he couldn’t banish them no matter how successful he became or how many friends he made.” A gentle smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “That all changed when he found you.”

Kellan blinked several times as he took in her words. Vic had reassured him over and over of his love, but Kellan still couldn’t let go of his fears, his insecurities borne of the bullshit Finn had always flung at him. He frowned to himself. He needed to knock it off and focus on giving Vic all his love and accepting it in return without question. Vic deserved that.

They drove in silence for a while until Dora signaled at a turn that didn’t seem to go anywhere, except into desolate woodland like the scenery they’d been driving past.

“Is this where your cousin lives?”

“Yeah.” Dora made a right down a narrow two-lane road. “It’s off the beaten path for sure. Only a couple hundred residents, and they keep to themselves.” She elbowed him. “Mainly shifters who prefer seclusion.”

“Oh, I see.” Kellan gazed out the window, but still couldn’t see any signs that they were near anything. “Are they all bobcat shifters?”

“No, but there are quite a few. We have some foxes, a few squirrels, rabbits. You know, the local wildlife.”

Kellan’s eyes widened. “And they all get along? They don’t try to kill each other?”