No, Roman would not be happy. She was right about that. “Bye,” he said. He turned away before he tried to touch her.
She wasn’t in the club. She wasn’t interested in rubbing all over you in public. He’d never needed to scold himself so many times so frequently. He wasn’t going to roll over whatever boundaries she’d set.
He rushed back to the pack on cloud nine. Was it possible that his days as a ladies’ man were over? Could they be coming to an end?
He didn't bother to stop and change out of his club clothes, even though he knew someone from the pack would give him hell about it.
He hopped in his car and drove, parking haphazardly in the shared lot. Then he went running through the pack land, going straight for the healer’s cabin.
Of course, Jameson was ready for him. "Oh, good Lord, you smell like vodka and weed." Jameson plucked at the sleeve of his shirt. “Can this get any tighter?" Jameson made a show of looking around. “Was it hard to pry yourself away from the women? You didn’t have one follow you back this time, did you?”
“Haha.” Derek responded by punching his brother. Yes, once a female shifter from a visiting pack had tried to sneak into his bed during their visit. Derek had been flattered, but the female’s family had not. Nothing had happened, but his brothers loved to bring it up. It had happened once, many years ago, and Jameson in particular had given him hell for years.
"How's Everleigh?" Derek asked as he heard a groan from inside the cabin. He winced.
Female shifters didn't die from childbirth, for the most part. They didn’t face the same risks that humans did. But every now and then there were complications. And very rarely, a baby did not survive. Either of those options would destroy Roman and they all knew it.
"The last I heard she was fine. I think it's close now.” As soon as Jameson spoke, they heard the wail of the baby. They all began to celebrate, jumping up and down and cheering.
Minutes later, Roman came out of the cabin and grabbed Derek. He yanked him inside the healer’s cabin. “It's a boy,” he said, voice cracking. “I've got a little male shifter.”
Derek grabbed his brother and squeezed him tight. “I’m so happy for you both.”
When Derek peeked into the birthing room, he saw Roman’s five-year-old daughter Eliza sitting in an overstuffed chair, cradling the baby, while the mom was sound asleep.
"She's already crazy about him. And he's only five minutes old,” Roman said, keeping his voice low.
Derek clapped Roman on the back. "Congratulations, brother, you got another adorable kid.”
“Would you go tell the rest of the pack?” Roman asked.
"Yes. Of course, I will. That’s the uncle’s job, right?”
"It's definitely the godfather’s job.”
Derek grinned, and Roman grinned back at him. And then he pulled Derek into another big tight hug.
Derek patted Eliza’s head. “Looks like you’re already the best big sister.”
She beamed up at him and opened her mouth, but he put his finger to his lips, and she pressed her mouth closed. Eliza was a brilliant kid, but she spoke at top volume at all times.
Derek leaned down and brushed a kiss over the baby’s head.
He went back outside the cabin where most of the pack seemed to be gathered, waiting.
"We have a new baby boy,” Derek said, projecting his voice. “He's doing great and so is his mother. And I'm happy to report that big sister Eliza is over the moon."
The crowd erupted in cheers and there was a lot of hugging and clasping of hands. Several people tossed homemade confetti into the air. The kids often made it from bark and leaves. Somebody even opened a bottle of champagne and started pouring glasses. Beside Derek, Jameson accepted a glass of champagne. He lifted his hand into the air. "To the Alpha. And to his mate, Everleigh, their daughter Eliza, and their new infant pup."
A few more people teased Derek about his clothes, but he didn't care. He was just damned excited about the new baby. It felt like their pack was finally back on the right track after a few years of struggle. Many of them had had trouble finding their footing living in a city, including Derek, even though he’d been in favor of the move.
And, of course, he had enjoyed meeting Kyra. But nobody needed to know about that yet. Of course, he was doing a shit job of hiding his emotions.
Jameson tipped his champagne glass back and drained it. Then he shoved Derek with his shoulder. "Why are you smiling so big? I know you love Roman and his kids, but this seems a little excessive."
"Can you keep your mouth shut?" Derek asked
“Of course," he said. "But you have to tell me what’s going on. What did you do now?"