hurry. Garnet and Kenji made it to the infirmary with only two minutes to spare before a thin, angry cry hit the air. Lorenzo exited not long afterward, joy pulsing from him. “Strong little guy. Good lungs on him.”
Tumbling into the room after a delighted-sounding Tex invited them in once Ruby was ready, Garnet and Kenji took in the wrinkled and furious little peanut on Ruby’s chest and grinned.
“Did Steele call already?” Garnet asked.
Tex was the one who replied, his tone holding a deep vein of affection. “Yeah. About a minute after the birth—said he’d restrained himself for sixty seconds, but that was his limit. He’s already booking a flight across.”
Garnet’s grin morphed into soft laughter. “I think this den is going to see an influx of Sheridans over the next week.” Tiptoeing closer, she kissed the top of her sister’s head before gently touching the baby’s back. “Good job, sis.”
Ruby’s tired face beamed. “You, too, baby sister.” A thrilled glance that flicked from Garnet to Kenji.
Garnet’s phone beeped right then; she’d had it in hand, having expected the call. Touching the screen, she turned it toward Ruby and Tex so the couple could see the face of the man on the other end. She and Kenji leaned in to be able to see the screen at the same time.
“Congratulations, Ruby, Tex,” their alpha said, his presence a punch of raw power no matter that he wasn’t physically present. “I see my newest packmate isn’t happy with his current environment.”
The baby stopped making grumpy noises at the sound of his alpha’s voice, going very still on Ruby’s skin, as if listening intently.
“Hello, pup. Welcome.” Hawke made a rumbling sound in his chest that had the baby’s tiny body going soft and easy again, zero tension in him now that his primal core knew he was in no danger from the apex predator in the region.
“How do you always know about a birth?” Ruby asked with a mystified smile. “Wait a minute. Did Lorenzo call you?”
“Nope.” Hawke winked, the thick fan of his silver-gold lashes coming down over an eye of a blue so pale, it was immediately clear that Hawke was changeling, was wolf. “It’s an alpha thing.” His gaze encompassed both Ruby and Tex. “I’ll be there to welcome him in person within the week.”
That was why Hawke was such a damn good alpha. He made it clear that every SnowDancer life mattered. Dominant or submissive. Old or young. Weak or strong. All were pack. All were his.
“Garnet.”
Turning the screen in her direction, Garnet raised an eyebrow. “Yes?” She had a good idea of what was coming.
Wolf-blue eyes gleamed. “Where’s your mate?”
Kenji shifted so he could scowl at Hawke. “Now you’re just showing off.”
An unrepentant grin. Their alpha’s white shirt pulled across the breadth of his shoulders as he folded his arms, his exposed forearms muscled and golden. “You lovebirds want a honeymoon? I’ll second two of the others to cover your dens while you canoodle.”
“We’ll get back to you on that.” Kenji nuzzled at her, his hand possessive on her hip even though Hawke was no threat to his claim.
He was the one showing off now, Garnet realized. Showing off his mate to a wolf he respected. Maybe she should’ve been annoyed by that, but what the hell. It felt good to have his skin rubbing against hers when he nuzzled her again, all warm and a little rough with stubble, while his hair was cool, damp silk in contrast. She was proud of him, too, would show him off to all her friends. Gorgeous, sexy, wickedly smart Kenji Tanaka was now all hers.
The mating bond pulsed on both sides, fire and steel and them.
Garnet and Kenji. Mated pair.
That sounded so good. Sounded right.
“We also have ideas on how we can balance our lives and dens,” she added as Kenji went behind her. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he held her firm against the length of his body.
She ran her hand over his forearm, her body aching for his again and her wolf wanting to simply lie side by side with his wolf. Feeling his heartbeat, maybe nipping at him now and then to remind him she remained annoyed. But mostly, just being with him.
“Let’s talk when you’re ready.” Hawke’s grin deepened. “In the meantime, get a room.”
Garnet and Kenji both growled at him before Garnet turned the screen back toward Ruby and Tex and the pup so Hawke could say good-bye. Sliding away the phone afterward,