***
“What?” Philip tore his eyes off his mate and looked up to see the confusion on the faces of the medical team. “Shit. Talk to you later, baby.” The alpha broke into a run.
“What do you mean you need a bigger opening?” Gloria was asking as Philip entered. “How big can a baby’s head be?”
“I just…” Dr. Sanders looked flustered. “I… I just need a bigger opening to get…”
“Cut it doc,” Deloris instructed. “Sorry alpha.” She threw at the red-eyed Jeremy who merely shrugged. The warlock didn’t really seem to care about the Ojah at that particular moment though. “Just be quick about it before he loses too much blood.” She was more worried about Ryan.
Everyone watched the medical teamwork, cringing at the whirring noises from the machine that was used to cauterize the small blood vessels to prevent bleeding. And through it all, the Ojah stood unmoving as though he couldn’t feel a thing. Everyone knew better.
“Oh, Luna!” Dr. Sanders gasped at whatever he saw when the cut was wide enough for him to see. “It’s in wolf form.” His eyes bulged out to the extent that they looked as though they were about to pop out. That had never happened before. No werewolf had ever been born in a wolf form. Everyone was in shock.
“Hey, doc look at me…” Deloris snapped her fingers. “Take it out now.”
The doctors snapped out of their trancelike mode and went to work, doing everything that needed to be done. Dr. Sanders finally took out the little white wolf whose eyes were tightly shut and began to wipe it down himself, remembering what Jeremy had told him.
“It’s a boy… male.” Dr. Sanders beamed with pride despite the weirdness of it all.
“He’s so beautiful.” Gloria gasped, her cheeks wet with tears. “He has your colour, Ryan…” She looked awed. “Pure white.”
One doctor examined the placenta as the others meticulously and skillfully cleaned Ryan’s cut and made sure everything was arranged in the correct way. They didn’t bother suturing or stapling the incision shut because Ryan didn’t need that to heal. When they were done, they signaled Dr. Sanders.
“Now, Deloris.” Dr. Sanders nodded to the warlock who immediately let out a deep breath and began to recite some words under her breath. And right before the eyes of everyone who watched, Ryan’s cut flesh began to repair itself. It was absolutely fascinating to watch.
“The outer flesh will heal now but it will take about two to three days for the wound on the inside to completely heal,” Deloris muttered, her eyes moist with tears of relief and joy.
“Thank you, everyone.” Ryan choked, too overcome with emotion at the sight of his kid to say any more.
The baby being in a wolf form certainly didn’t change how Ryan felt about him. It wasn’t strange at all that his and Jeremy’s kid would make a sensational entrance. Everyone already knew that their baby was unique so really, their son had merely lived up to his reputation. He was his and Jeremy’s… and the entire pack’s. And he was perfect. Ryan turned his head to look at his red-eyed mate when he felt his presence beside him.
“Thank you.” The Ojah said simply. Then he leaned down and took Ryan’s mouth in a kiss so tender it brought tears to Ryan’s eyes. The shocked onlookers cheered of course.
“Thanks for being there for me.” Ryan gave a tremulous smile.
“Always.” The Ojah murmured.
“Alpha?” Dr. Sanders said tentatively as he held out the sleeping pup to its father but the Ojah actually looked terrified.
“Who’s the pussy now?” Philip drawled, totally amused at the Ojah’s reaction.
“Well, I’m done with what I came here to do.” The Ojah breathed. “Your friend can take over now.” He turned his gaze to the medical team. “Thanks, team. Good job.” They looked too scared to acknowledge the praise.
The Ojah then met Deloris’ eye and gave a nod to convey his respect and gratitude. He then leaned down and kissed Gloria on the cheek, bringing a huge smile to the face of the seasoned warrior. Then finally, the Ojah went to Dr. Sanders who still had the pup lying in his outstretched palm. The red-eyed beast just stared at the pup. Then to everyone’s shock, he actually smiled. There was a collective gasp from all who watched but Ryan. He already knew how sweet the Ojah could be. One moment the Ojah was smiling at his son, the next moment a blue-eyed Jeremy stood there, staring.
“Sylvester…” Jeremy breathed, his gaze filled with so much love and awe.
Without touching the pup, Jeremy turned around and signaled Troy to come inside. Then he went to his mate. When he got to his grinning mate, Jeremy leaned down and drew him into his arms. Then simply held him. Whatever Jeremy seemed to be telling his mate on their mind-link must have been very emotional if the tears running down the face of a smiling Ryan was anything to go by. After what seemed like hours but was mere minutes, Jeremy finally let go of his mate. Then with an excited grin on his face, he grabbed Troy’s hand and drew him to where Dr. Sanders stood with his sleeping son. He still didn’t touch him though.
“We’re naming him after dad,” Jeremy told his brother.
“Sylvester Stanton.” Troy breathed. “Thank you.” He added in a whisper. “He’s beautiful. What name would you have given him if he were a girl?”
“Emma,” Jeremy responded. “After Ryan’s mother. That was the plan.”
“Cool.” Troy nodded. “I’m glad dad won.” He whispered conspiratorially. The two brothers erupted with laughter.
“We can hear you assholes, you know…” Ryan drawled, his tone so comical even the busy medical team couldn’t hold in their laughter.
“Err… Deloris?” Jeremy called.
“Yes, Alpha Jeremy?” The warlock stepped closer to the alpha of alphas.
“Isn’t he going to shift?” He breathed. “I mean he’s supposed to, right?”
“I really don’t know what his deal is.” The warlock laughed. “He will shift when he’s ready I guess.”
“Remember when he threw me?” Dr. Sanders murmured. “I think that was when he shifted.”
“Ryan used magic to stop your movement then.” Deloris nodded. “That must have fueled him.”
“I’m sorry, I acted without thinking.” Ryan groaned. “We needed Dr. Sanders on his feet, not all broken up.” He added, making the others laugh. “Just take him already, Jeremy.” Ryan laughed softly. He could tell his mate was stalling.
“But…” Jeremy looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a car.
“But what?” Gloria asked.
“Ugh… he’s so… little.” Jeremy’s gasp finally confirmed to everyone watching that just like his counterpart the mighty Ojah, the alpha of alphas was scared to hold his son.
The medical team discreetly averted their eyes and hid their grins as the others dissolved into laughter.
“Anyone seen a chicken around?” Stan’s shout earned him a finger from the alpha of alphas and more laughter from the others.