Page 55 of Destined Paranormals: Volume One

“Is that why he’s not here?”

Aleric nodded. “He and Wilhelm shifted and went flying. We discovered a den down the mountain. There is a pack as well. Both are small and seem to stay in their own areas down by the lake that I will show you once you can shift again.”

Aleric unwrapped our son, then reached for the cloth and looked at me expectantly. I smiled at my clueless alpha.

“You pick up his feet, lifting him a bit so you can get the cloth under him.”

“That will not hurt him?”

“No, Aleric. They are much stronger than one would think. Just be careful, and don’t squeeze him too tightly.”

Aleric froze, looking over at me with wide eyes.

“When you grip him. Don’t squeeze too hard. That is all I meant.”

“Oh.” Aleric gently lifted our son, placed the cloth under him, then laid him back down. When he looked to me for further instruction, I chuckled, then reached for my stomach as it hurt a bit.

“Pull the half of the cloth that isn’t under him through his legs. Then tie them on the sides.”

Aleric did as instructed, then put the wool cover on. When he looked to me for help with the blanket, I reached for the baby.

“Put the blanket in front of me, please?”

Aleric did as asked, and I put our son in the middle of it. I wrapped the blanket around him, stopping at each step to look up at my alpha. He nodded every time. When I was finished, I picked Reinhold up and cuddled him to my chest.

“Would you like to get dressed? Or maybe clean up?” Aleric asked.

“I wouldn’t mind cleaning up before I get dressed.”

Aleric disappeared and came back moments later with a pitcher and a small cloth we used to wash.

“I heated it for you.”

“Thank you. You are so very thoughtful.”

Aleric placed both on a chair, and then after I placed our son on the bed beside me, Aleric helped me up. I tried to look at my omega line but still could not see it. Aleric led me over to the chair and knelt down.

“It is almost completely closed already. I will be very gentle when I wash you.”

“I can do it,” I told him.

“Please allow me?” Aleric asked, looking up at me. I nodded, and my mate carefully washed, then dried me. He helped me to dress, then swooped me up into his arms and placed me on the other side of the bed. After he had the blankets that were below me folded and stored with the pitcher, he removed his boots and climbed into the bed with me.

“He is so very tiny.”

I laughed again.

“Only compared to you. You and Ferdinand are giants.” Even my own alpha father wasn’t quite as large as my mate or his father.

Aleric shrugged. “Are you ready for visitors?”

Was I? Probably. Would I be thankful when they left and we got time alone with our new son? Absolutely.

I heard a familiar call, grinning at Ferdinand’s arrival. “Your other grandfather is here, Reinhold. Are you ready to meet the other alpha?” I kissed our son’s forehead, then leaned against my alpha and sighed. I was so very tired.

“A nap sounds nice.”

“Then nap, my mate. The others can wait.”