Chapter Twenty-Three

We went on paternity leave a full thirty days before the baby was due, but we were out on a short hike checking out a new campsite when my water broke. The truck was no more than fifteen minutes away, but by the time we got there, my pains were rolling practically one on top of the other. Even if there were time, I'd never have been able to tolerate the rocky dirt track back to the highway.

"Omega, I think the baby is going to make an appearance in the wilderness." Bjorn was trying to sound calm, but I heard the edge of tension in his voice.

I doubled over, and Bjorn steadied me through another pain. "It's feeling different. Where—" I panted while the cramping passed. "Where do you want me?"

Bjorn hopped into the back of the truck and threw out a few boxes and pieces of equipment. He unfolded a sleeping bag and helped me up to lie down. "Right here, omega." He stroked my arm. "It's going to be fine." He sounded like he meant it, calmer now, focused, like he usually was. Quite the quick recovery, which I much appreciated because one of us had better have it together.

"I know it is, alpha. I trust you." I laid back and lifted my hips so he could pull off my pants and undershorts over my boots. Quite a sight I must be. "I don't think it's going to take long."

"That's fine." He was setting out bottles of water, a couple of towels, and folded another one into a makeshift pillow. "Raise your head." When he had it tucked underneath, he smoothed my hair. "Our baby will be born where they can see the sky."

"Yes." I mustered a smile for him. "Feels right, doesn't it?"

"Sure does, omega. Now, I'm going to check you and see how soon the baby is coming."

"Do you know what you're looking for?"

He nodded. "A baby."

"Alpha—"

"Seriously, I've been watching videos, and I do know what to watch for and outside of never having done it, I think I'm prepared to deliver our child."

"Outside of that little fact." But I tempered the comment with a pat on his hand. "You've got this."

"Are you warm enough?" It was sunny but cool. "Want a blanket?"

"I'm so glad I picked an alpha who is ready for everything. Yes, please."

Bjorn tucked a soft wool blanket with an eagle embossed on it—a gift from our healer—around me before flipping the bottom up to examine me. "I see the crown of the baby's head. You ready to push?"

"Do I have a choice?" I was joking but now that the moment was here, I was just a little scared.

"No, I don't think so. But it is going to get pretty crowded in there eventually."

"Ha ha, I—" I let out a growl worthy of his bear or my wolf as I bore down. "Is it out?" I knew it wasn't, of course, but a guy can dream.

"You need to do it again, my love. But really good work."

"Here comes the next one." I closed my eyes tight and tensed, pushing for all I was worth. Then I lay back panting. "They really must like it in there."

"One more time. You're a rockstar."

"Uh-huh. Okay." As the blinding pain took over, I bore down as hard as I could and maybe 20 percent more than that, screaming out my effort.

And our baby.

I felt them slip from my body into the waiting grip of my alpha. "Are they all right? Everything…" I didn't have the breath to ask more.

"Welcome, my son." The tenderness in my alpha's voice brought tears to my eyes. "You came to the right place. See how beautiful it is here? We're going to camp here every year on your birthday. Well, not quite here, but nearby. You'll love it."

"Alpha? Do you think I can see our son, too?" Tears were streaking down my cheeks. "He's good, right?"

"He's perfect. Ten fingers, ten toes, and"—a scream rolled over the desert, baby protest at leaving his warm nest—"strong lungs."

I reached out and took the slippery bundle in my arms, never having loved anyone more than my alpha and this baby in my whole life. Overhead, the blue sky and a passing eagle witnessed our moment, making it all perfect.

"A shame that's not the healer," Bjorn quipped. "But I think we did okay."

"We did amazing." I kissed the baby's forehead, despite all the birthing fluids. "We need to bury his placenta here."

"Whatever you say, mate. Now, if you'll let me help the two of you into the cab, we can head for home and call the healer to come over and check you both out."

"We're fine, but whatever eases your mind." Seemed like I did that a lot. But then I didn't mind having an alpha who worried about me and our son.

Our. Son.

"What's his name, omega?" Bjorn asked softly.

"Dune?"

"I like that. Welcome, Dune. You have a whole life of adventure ahead of you."

The life I'd gratefully stepped into when I met Bjorn. Best life ever.