Page 22 of A Hatchling for Valentine’s

Kellan’s words began to tumble out. “He came out as a white wolf, right out of the egg just like that and then he shifted to a cygnet and now he’s still—well, you can see he’s still a cygnet, that’s obvious—but he hasn’t been a regular baby yet and I’m scared something’s wrong and I don’t know if he should eat pureed snails when he’s a wolf or what’s going on…” Kellan ended his ramblings on a wail.

Dr. Arthur moved around to the other side of the bed. “Now, now Kellan. Your little one is strong and breathing well. First thing’s first.” The doctor regarded Vic. “Can you get me some warm water, not too hot.” He returned his attention to Kellan. “No matter what, you have what seems to be a healthy child. I’ll be with you both through this new journey. Remember, inter-species shifter children aren’t that unusual. Just because this is a new one on me, doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your child, all right?”

Kellan sniffed. “All right.”

Dr. Arthur arched his eyebrows at Vic and he remembered he was supposed to be getting the water instead of standing there doing nothing. Once he’d returned, the baby had gone back to wolf form. His heart clutched at the sight of Kellan crying. The helplessness Vic felt at not being able to fix everything for his mate cut through him.

“Here you go, doc.”

They both remained transfixed on the scene before them as Dr. Arthur wiped their child clean, checked their airways and heartbeat then wrapped them in a blanket. He smiled at Kellan, offering the squirming, yipping bundle to him.

“Here’s your baby.”

Kellan ‘ooohed’ as he accepted their newborn, staring with awe at them. Vic sat on the bed and moved closer to his mate so he could see better. He furrowed his brow, scenting the air.

“I think… I think the baby is a boy.”

Kellan smiled up at him. “I think so too. I don’t know why, but it felt that way earlier too.”

Vic smiled back and kissed his forehead. He gazed down at the wolf pup still struggling and mewling in Kellan’s arms.

“Welcome, baby Erik.”

“Yes, little Erik.” Kellan looked at him again. “Are you disappointed that he’s part-swan, that he’s not…like a regular baby?” Kellan’s lip trembled.

“No, sweetheart, not at all. As long as he’s healthy, that’s all I care about. He’s my son and I love him, no matter what.”

Kellan nodded. “Me too. I only wanted to make sure you’re happy.”

Vic draped an arm around Kellan’s shoulders and gave him a squeeze. “I’m thrilled. Don’t you doubt that for a second.”

Dr. Arthur interjected, “I don’t think there’s anything else I can do right now, so I’m going to grab some sleep. My nephew has invited me to spend the night in his guest room. Bit of a long drive for me this time of night, and I want you to bring little Erik to Vale General tomorrow. I’ll give you a call in the morning with the time. I’ll have to arrange it with their obstetrician who handles male pregnancies.”

Vic rose to escort Dr. Arthur to the door, thanking him for all his help. By the time he’d returned to their bedroom, he could tell how exhausted Kellan was, and he had to admit that he was feeling rather tired himself. The adrenaline of the day had exacted a toll on them both and Vic thought is was advisable that they at least try to get some sleep.

“Vic? I think he’s hungry. We have the special shifter baby formula in the cupboard. Since he’s a wolf right now, maybe we can try it?”

He’d warned Kellan that wolf shifters didn’t shift until much later, so they hadn’t taken the possibility of having a pup in consideration. “We’re in such unknown territory right now that I think we should give it a try. We don’t want him to go hungry. I’ll go prepare some.”

“Thanks, Vic.”

As he left the room, he smiled at the sounds of Kellan cooing and talking to their baby. Wolf or swan or both—Vic loved their child with all his heart.

* * * *

Kellan couldn’t keep his eyes open. They kept fluttering closed and even though he had the baby—who had changed back into a swan—on a nest of new blankets between him and Vic, he didn’t want to go to sleep, just in case. In case what, he wasn’t sure, but staying awake was his main objective.

So far, little Erik had taken about a quarter of a bottle of shifter formula without spitting it up, then after he’d peed in his old nest, he’d drifted off to sleep. His shift back to a swan had happened with minimal fuss before he’d tucked his head under his wing and settled down again.

Vic snorted and snuffled, his interrupted snore apparently rousing him. He rubbed his knuckles over his eyes from where he lay on his back. He yawned then rolled on his side.

“When did he change again?”

Kellan sighed as he gazed down at their son. “About an hour ago, around four.”

Vic furrowed his brow. “Have you had any sleep?”

Kellan shook his head. “I can’t. I don’t want to miss anything. What if he needs me?”