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“Yes, and because, well, you’re an alpha. A reigning monarch in your realm. I figured I’d never measure up to what you were looking for in a mate. I’d never be enough for you and for Hannah.”
Hudson looked deeply into Nora’s eyes. “The fact is, it’s us who need to be worthy of you, Nora. Look at Hannah. She’s actually dancing with one of the shifter boys. I never thought that would be possible after the plane crash. And you complete me. You stayed by my side, helping me heal Hannah and at your own peril. What better mate could there be, shifter or not?”
Nora smiled. And as the party died down, she laid her head on Hudson’s shoulder and whispered to herself. “He loves me. He truly does. Shifter or not.”
THIRTY-FOUR
HUDSON
It had been over a year since Hudson had been sealed to Nora, and in that year, only joy and love filled Hudson’s heart. It had been the best year of his life as an alpha shifter and a man.
“Daddy, look! It’s snowing outside. Can we go out and play? Peter has never seen snow.”
Hudson chuckled. “Well, what do you think, Mommy? Can we all go out and play?”
“I don’t know any reason why not. I’ll bundle him up in the tiny snowsuit Elder Enzo gave him. We might as well take it for a run. Let’s go!”
With the evil doctors long behind bars and their torture facility erased off the map, no enemies pervaded their peace. As a father, alpha leader, and husband, Hudson could focus on the business and his family, the latter of which had grown by one. Nora gave birth to a precious baby boy three months prior, whom they named Peter. The tot looked like the spitting image of Hudson. And the alpha leader was secretly elated.
Never before had Hudson experienced such fulfillment. A husband, and now a father twice. No longer was his future in question. He found love and had been given an heir. It didn’t matter to him in the least whether the boy could ever shift, as he loved both Peter and Hannah regardless. There was a sense of quiet contentment in a future forever sealed by his love for Nora.
Nora, Hannah, and little Peter donned their warm winter gear while Hudson ran around the side of the house, disrobed in the nearby shed, and raced back out front in his bigger-than-life polar bear existence.
Hudson romped and played around Hannah, the pair throwing snowballs, giggling, and howling up a storm as Nora held Peter. Hudson stopped his play long enough to gaze at Nora and the baby. He flashed a bright-eyed, wide polar bear grin as he watched snowflakes fall on his son’s face. The little boy smiled and cooed with each icy flake. Hudson thought that reaction unusual, assuming the cold would make a baby cry. But not Peter. Not his baby boy.
Peter looks like he loves the cold. Look at his tiny hands reaching out to grab the flakes. It’s like he’s happier in the cold than he is in the warmth. Maybe he’s not a shapeshifter, but he sure takes after his papa.
Hudson shifted back and dressed. “Nora, I’ll take Peter while you play with Hannah for a while.”
Nora got up from the porch steps, the pair trading a snowball for a cute baby boy.
Hudson took the toddler and laid him in the fluffy white stuff, his tiny snowsuit shielding his body from the cold. Instantly, the boy cooed again and giggled, scooping up tufts of the stuff in his tiny mittens. Peter sat beside Hudson, scooping and letting the gathered flakes fly, belly laughing each time.
“Look at Peter. He loves it out here.” Hannah stopped throwing snowballs at Nora when she saw her little brother having such fun.
“Hudson, you have to admit, it’s odd that he is not crying in this cold.”
“I know. I thought for sure the first flakes touching his cheeks meant we’d be in for howls. But no. Peter is an alpha, after all.”
“Are you sorry he’s not a shapeshifter?” Nora asked, walking up to Hudson.
“Nora, look at Peter. He is an alpha. Maybe he won’t shapeshift, but he’s a born leader.”
The family watched as Peter rolled onto his belly, his face falling into the snow. Instead of screaming, he giggled, lifting his heavy head in and out of the cold snow.
Nora laughed. Hannah giggled, and Hudson scooped him up and laid him in his lap. The child was covered in snow head to foot, and instead of fussing, Peter talked and giggled like his older sister.
Hudson held his baby tightly and watched Nora and Hannah make snow angels. He was so proud of his little girl’s achievements. Although she would occasionally stumble, her legs became stronger every day. He noticed if she was especially preoccupied with whatever she was doing, Hannah would forget her frailties and walk like any other girl.
Finally, I can stop worrying about my little girl, who is growing up right in front of my eyes. Frank and Alice would be so proud of their little Hannah. I only hope they are looking down on her and seeing what Nora and I see. A brave girl who never gave up. Hey, Frank, wherever you are, you should know Nora and I won’t give up on Hannah either. You and Alice can rest easy, my friend.
Hudson leaned against a frozen maple tree and, together with Peter in his arms, they watched mother and daughter laugh and play. Peter pointed, cooed, and baby talked. Hudson wondered what the little boy was saying. He couldn’t wait for the day when they could talk as father and son. The future for Hudson looked so bright.
The alpha leaned over and whispered to Peter. “You know, it doesn’t matter to me if you don’t shift. And someday soon, the clan will see alphas can lead without shifting just as well as if they could. It’s not only physical abilities that make the man. It’s about the heart and soul he puts into his efforts which count. Right, Peter?”
Peter looked up and cooed. With his tiny fingers, he reached up and touched his father’s nose as if musing how the man had gone from polar bear to human. Hudson inhaled his baby’s wonderful scent. But this time, Peter’s scent was different. He still had his wonderful baby smell, but there was a mix Hudson had not smelled before. It was musky and sweet, like earth and tree sap.
Hudson’s expression changed to one of shock and pride. He knew that scent. He knew it so well.
