Fourteen

Moon

“ S hh,” Cato says soothingly, bringing me out of a deep sleep. I blink awake disoriented…

“What…” Cato is in front of me, and I’m in the bathtub. I start to move, but I’m resting against a firm chest.

“It’s okay, Moon,” Lust soothes me, one arm gripping my left knee, holding my legs wide open, while his other hand caresses my hair. I tilt my head back, frowning.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“We started cleaning you up, but your body temperature got so high that only Lust and I could handle it,” Cato explains.

“The rest of us can tolerate it, but it’s uncomfortable,” Crow grumbles, and I smile gently.

“But we’re all here for you, Badger,” Tristan says encouragingly.

“For this moment,” Arlo adds.

“What?” I ask again, not fully understanding what's going on.

“It’s been five days, Moonlight. It’s time,” Cato says in a tone I can’t fully decipher. Excitement maybe? Maybe a little fear.

“Okay,” I nod. “Will it hurt?” I ask hesitantly, not exactly a fan of pain.

“I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think so. Our collective, um, cum, should have eased the worst of your cramping.” Cato blushes, and I nod.

“Okay, I’m ready.”

Cato

Lust holds one of our mate’s legs, while I hold the other. The water is so hot that it’s nearly boiling. Normally I’d be worried about Moon’s skin, but it seems the little Dragon is keeping Moon safe.

I’m going to be a father. Someday, but until then, this egg will be mine to protect.

I place my free hand over the scale protecting Moon’s heart.

“I promise to protect this child until my last breath. I vow my heart and loyalty to you, for all time. I am yours now and until my Dragon takes flight for the last time, and then I will be yours in death.” The light glow under my hand solidifies my vow, connecting my soul to hers.

Moon gasps, her eyes lighting up as she places her hand over mine.

“I am yours now and until the end of the universe. Forever,” Moon says, and a feeling I’ve never known before fills my heart. Her vow wraps around my soul and strengthens me. Safety. Pure love. Devotion.

“It’s time,” I whisper, removing my hand and lowering it into the water. I place my hand over her lower stomach and close my eyes.

I’ve never been so happy, and so terrified, in my entire life. The confusing combination sets my soul ablaze.

Moon

“One more push, Moon,” Cato whispers, and I shake my head. I’ve been pushing…the cramping returned, but it felt different this time. Like when I have my period. I’m starting to panic.

“What am I doing wrong? Is the egg okay?” I ask, a tear falling down my cheek. Lust has held me the entire time, while all of my men have offered encouraging words.

“One more, Moonlight. One last push.” Cato meets my eyes and nods. I bite my lip, never looking away, and push. I hold my breath and push again. My mate continues to nod encouragingly while glancing back and forth between where his hand rests and my eyes.

With one last desperate gasp, I push again and feel it. The moment the egg is free.

“Let me see it,” I cry, gasping for air, needing to make sure it’s okay. I sit up, ignoring the ache between my legs. Lust helps me, and I watch, eyes wide, as Cato slowly lifts his hands out of the water and I see the expression of awe on his face.

The egg has a pearl-like quality, with black and red scales covering it. Cato cradles it in his two hands so carefully, but I frown.

“That is much larger than a chicken egg,” I grumble. “It’s closer to an oval-shaped softball.” I lift a brow to Cato, and he winces.

“I was guessing. I’ve never actually seen one.”

I hold my hands out, palms up. “Can I?” I ask, and Cato nods.

“Of course. Always. This is your child, Moon.” Cato hands me the egg, and I’m surprised by how hot it is to the touch, but the temperature doesn’t bother me like I imagined it normally should.

“You did so well, Moonlight,” Arlo whispers, coming over to caress my head.

“It’s beautiful,” Daire admires, smiling from his place on the bathroom sink.

“I’ve never seen anything like it.” Warrior is in awe, eyes wide and dazed.

“You’re so strong, my beautiful badger.” Tristan winks, looking relaxed and happy.

“You will be an amazing mother, Moonlight,” Lust whispers in my ear from where he leans over the back of the claw foot tub.

“Congratulations to all of us,” Odas murmurs, also looking a bit dazed as well.

“Don’t look so scared, brother. You raised me, and I turned out great,” Crow says to Kili, punching his brother's arm.

“I believe, even if we were all horrible fathers, Moon would be such a wonderful mother that the child would be lucky to have her,” Kili says.

“No. We’re the lucky ones,” I whisper, holding the egg close as I admire it. I’m already in love. I can’t explain it, but I know without a doubt, I’d burn the entire universe down for this little soul.

“We would all destroy the universe for the child, Moonlight,” Silas says, echoing my thoughts. Or did I say that out loud?

“Eleven fathers…at least one of us is bound to be decent,” Fen adds teasingly. “It’s incredible Moonlight. I love you.”

“I love you too. All of you,” I murmur above the steam as I cradle the egg closely to my heartbeat where Cato’s scale rests.

Moon

It’s been about fifteen hours since the bathtub egg laying… We’re headed to dinner to introduce my family to the little egg. I have a surprise for everyone as well. Hopefully, I don’t fuck it up.

“You ready?” Cato asks, and I look up at him, smiling.

“I think so,” I say, taking in the sight of him. He’s got his little egg carrier strapped to his body. He’s been burning hotter than he used to, but he explained that that's normal while he’s carrying the egg in his non-shifted form.

The connection between us has grown in a way that I had not expected. There’s a special bond we share because of the little egg, and I cannot wait to see where that leads us.

I’m nervous though. This will be the first time seeing everyone since we arrived here, and I’m a bit stressed about the entire thing.

How will they react to the egg? What is my father like? How are things between my mother and Steve? How’s Grams doing? Endless questions. The drop from hormones that have rushed through my body has made me emotional.

“Moon!” Grams jumps to her feet when we enter the dining room. I rush to hug her and allow her to squeeze me. “Well, let's see the babe!” she says as she pulls away from me.

Cato opens the carrier, allowing Grams to peek inside. The egg has stayed the same size so far, but is still just as beautiful as the first time I saw it.

“Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful, Moonlight.” Grams beams at me as she pats my shoulder before turning around to take her seat back at the table.

“Moonlight,” my mother says as she walks over to us. A brilliant smile takes over her face as she pushes my hair over my shoulder and peers into the pouch. The rest of my men take their seats, leaving Cato and me to greet my parents. I notice Steve is here, sitting awkwardly beside my Grams. He’s staring at Fen. My Fae mate is pretending not to notice. I’ll fix that later.

“Fascinating,” the King says, leaning in to get a good look, but not touching it. Cato would probably eat his hand if he tried.

“Oh, Moon,” my mother says, tears filling her eyes. “I can’t wait to meet you, little Dragon,” she whispers, and I smile.

We take our seats after that. Eating and chatting. It’s not until after dessert that I stand to make my announcement with a flutter of nerves dancing in my stomach.

“Can I have everyone’s attention, please?” I say, standing. Cato is on my right with one hand cradling the bottom of the pouch as Tristan sits on my left. Across from Cato, my mother sits with the King beside her at the head of the table. Grams is on her other side. “As you know, Cato can carry the egg for years before it hatches.”

Everyone nods.

“But I don’t want to wait years.” I turn to Cato. His eyes go wide, but he smiles hopefully.

“I have a question to ask you all,” I say, turning, so I can meet the eyes of each of my men. “Will you marry me?” We’re mated, and that's for life. There’s no breaking these bonds, but I know it’s important in most of our Realms. “In the Orc Realm,” I add, as I glance at Arlo and then Tristan.

“Yes.” Eleven voices blend together, filling the room, and I smile.

“And then we hatch the egg,” I say, turning to Cato, who nods excitedly.

“Do you mean it?” he asks, and I caress his cheek.

“With all my heart.”