Page 21 of A Hatchling for Valentine’s

Chapter Seven

Vic’s eyes burned from staring at the egg, afraid to blink in case the baby burst free of the shell and he missed the moment. Logically, he knew such a thing was ridiculous, yet he couldn’t tear his gaze away. He’d almost pissed himself earlier because he’d been so afraid to leave the egg. When Kellan had noticed him wiggling around, he’d ordered Vic to use the bathroom, reassuring him that he’d remain wrapped around the base of the egg so it didn’t jettison off the bed.

He and Kellan barely spoke, and when they did, it was with hushed words. Kellan had dimmed the lamp some more and the curtains were drawn, although the light from outside had ceased to be an issue for quite a while. Kellan had also instructed him on where all the necessary items were located to use for the baby’s arrival. The bulb to clear the baby’s airway, the layette, clean towels and the basin to put water in. He checked the time again and noted that barely five minutes had passed since the last time he’d looked.

Ten minutes to midnight. He was going crazy.

Most of the top of the egg was cracked and while they could see the top of the baby’s head as he or she twisted inside the confines of the shell, they remained curled up so their face was never visible. The suspense was killing him.

“Sweetheart? You must be hungry. If you wrap yourself around the egg again, I can go make something for you to eat.”

He didn’t want to leave the room for a second, but he didn’t want his poor mate to suffer either. As if on cue, his own stomach rumbled. Hmm. I guess I’m starting to feel it too.

Kellan regarded him with a wrinkled brow. “I don’t know. My stomach is in knots.”

“Yeah, me too.” Vic offered him a smile. “But when’s the last time you had anything?”

Kellan sighed. “Around noon.”

Vic nodded. “So basically, the last time I ate too.”

Kellan gave him a sheepish smile. “I guess you’re right. Maybe only some fruit, though? I don’t think I can handle much else.”

He wasn’t sure how much he could choke down either, but his wolf was not pleased with him.

“I’ll be quick. But yell if anything happens.”

He gave Kellan a quick kiss then headed to the kitchen. He chopped up some apples and pears, then added some cheese, just in case. Kellan didn’t eat much of it but would on occasion. With as nervous as his stomach was, Vic didn’t think he could handle getting into Kellan’s secret stash that held all the ‘unique’ cuisine he favored. He’d accidentally opened a canister on the counter one day and discovered that his mate also ate things with antennas, segmented eyes and wings that were not related to birds in any way.

Vic made up a similar plate for himself but added a couple slices of cold ham. He also added two bottles of cold water to the tray. Once he’d gotten to the kitchen, he’d realized that they both hadn’t been drinking anything either. Deciding that the snack and water should hold them until the baby arrived, he carried it back to the room.

The moment Vic passed the threshold the tray hit the floor with a clatter. Kellan was on his knees, both hands held to his mouth, his eyes rounded as if in shock. Vic knew how he felt. His jaw dropped as he gaped at the wolf pup clawing its way out of the gooey membrane, the bottom half of him or her still hidden inside the base of the egg.

His brain couldn’t process what he was seeing. Wolf shifters weren’t born in wolf form. And even when they did shift, it didn’t occur until puberty. Was their child okay? Vic moved toward the bed to take a closer look.

A white wolf.

“Dr. Arthur,” Kellan’s voice croaked out. “C-call Dr. Arthur.”

“Yeah.” Vic continued to stare as their baby wriggled free of the egg sac. “Good plan.” He remained frozen.

“Vic! The doctor!”

He jerked his head in Kellan’s direction. “Huh? Oh shit! Right.”

Vic’s hand shook as he retrieved the cell from his pocket. Thankfully, he had the doctor’s phone number programmed in. Pressing one button was about as much as his addled brain could handle.

“Hello? Dr. Arthur, you have to—oh fuck!”

Vic dropped the phone and rushed to Kellan’s side as their white baby wolf shifted into a fuzzy, albeit wet, grey and black cygnet.

They turned to face each other, their mouths open in silent shock. They went back to staring at their wobbly swan baby as it tried to get its webbed feet under itself before collapsing again. It had managed to get completely free of the shell and was clearly breathing okay, so Vic took that much as a good sign. They both moved closer to the cygnet who was about twice the size of a typical swan baby, their faces only a foot away from their newborn.

Their baby let out a series of small chirps as it gazed up at them, opening and closing its beak and making a weak attempt to flap its wings.

Kellan whimpered, “I want to hold him.”

“Clean him off and let me give him the once over. Then you can.” Dr. Arthur’s voice startled them out of their reverie.