"It means we're bonded. I recognized you as the person I'm meant to be with. The bond isn't complete yet—that requires a ceremony—but the connection is there."
He touched his stomach and he was quiet for so long I thought he might ask me to leave. "I need to see your wolf again. I'm carrying a baby who's going to be a shifter. I can't be a parent who's terrified of what their child is. And I can't love half of you while being scared of the other half."
"You love me?"
"I'm getting there. Even when everything was confusing, part of me knew I was falling for you. All of you."
"We can wait. You don't have to do this tonight."
"I do. Because if I wait, I'll build it up in my head until it's worse than reality." He grabbed his jacket again. "Take me to your place and show me."
Julian's hand found mine on the drive, and I held on tight, feeling his pulse against my palm.
The woods behind my house were dark except for moonlight filtering through the trees. I led Julian to the clearing where the stream ran. The water running over rocks filled the silence.
"I'm going to shift now but it won’t be scary like last time."
"Okay." His voice was barely audible.
I stripped and let my wolf take his fur. Within seconds, I stood on four legs, looking up at Julian.
Julian was breathing hard but he didn't run. He took a step forward, then another. "You're really in there," he whispered. "I can see it in your eyes."
I let him approach at his own pace. His hand shook when he reached out, but his fingers touched my wolf’s head. I could smell his fear but he didn’t run or scream.
"You're beautiful like this." His voice broke. "I was so scared before." He stroked my ears, and I leaned into his touch. "Now I can love both versions of you."
I pressed into his hand, making a soft whine.
Tears streamed down his face. "I'm sorry I was too scared to see this."
I shifted back and pulled him into my arms. "You're here now."
We sank to the ground together, holding each other in the moonlight. The stream burbled nearby and the woods were alive with night sounds.
"I'm pregnant," he whispered. "We're having a baby." He looked up at me as moonlight reflected in his eyes. "I want you and our baby.”
My wolf was content.This is everything.
"I love you and our little one.”
"I should call my parents." Julian stared at the positive tests.
"Now?"
"If I wait, I'll chicken out." He pulled out his phone. "They're going to freak."
His dad answered on the second ring and Julian put it on speakerphone. "Julian! It's late, is everything?—"
"I'm pregnant, Dad."
"You'rewhat?"
"Pregnant. With my boyfriend's baby."
"Julian Michael Yarrow, you cannot just drop a bomb like this at 11 PM on a weekday."
"I know. But I wanted you to know. I'm really happy."
