CHAPTER THIRTY-FOURMalcolm-13
Malcolm was torn between watching Autumn sleep, as if she might slip away from him if he took his eyes off of her, and holding their new children, who were just down the hall being cared for by other members of the pack. What he had thought would be the best night of their lives had turned into a horror show that he’d never quite be able to forget.
He couldn’t help but think what might have happened if they had still been alone in the cabin when she had gone into labor or, even worse, if she had been there without him. His choices could have all been taken away from him. He quickly realized he was wallowing in what-ifs, things that had not taken place and there was little point in it except to make him feel miserable.
What did he have to feel miserable about? He had eight children now and no time to waste on ridiculous thoughts like this. After what Autumn had told him about being an only child and her heritage, he had expected a single child, or maybe two at most. This was completely unexpected. He chuckled aloud.
“What’s funny?” she muttered, her eyes fluttering open to look at him with her own weak smile.
“I was just thinking about how successful I had been in finding an Omega to give me a large litter.”
“Disappointed?”
“Not in the least. It’s just one of those comical things in life that you find what you need rather than what you were looking for. If I hadn’t found you in that ditch, I’d have gone on to somewhere and settled for whatever woman was willing to play a part in my getting the Alpha spot. I know that was so wrong of me now. None of that ever mattered.”
“I’m glad you think so because now you have eight kids and no Alpha position. I can’t feed them, so it’s going to cost us a fortune in formula.”
“I told you before not to worry about that. I have some money. I lost my parents way too early, but they made sure I was well taken care of, and I’ve used my money sparingly over the years. We don’t have to worry about any of that.”
“I just don’t want to be a burden. I’ve done nothing but take from you since we met.”
“You just had eight of my children. I’d say you’ve given quite a bit. Anyway, let’s not dwell on all of that. How are you feeling? What can I get for you?”
“Something to drink would be good. I’m so thirsty.”
“Great. I’ll get you some water, and some of the women have brought food, so as soon as you feel like eating, there is everything from sandwiches to cake down there.”
“I might try a sandwich. I feel hungry, but I’m not sure I can manage one.”
“A test sandwich then. Got it. I’ll be right back.”
Malcolm stood and headed toward the door to fetch a bit of food for both of them.
“Can I have a baby or two?”
“Listen, I know I am a wolf, and you are a bear. Maybe you do things differently in Canada, but we don’t eat our young in this pack.”
“Haha. You’re hilarious.”
He laughed and slipped out the door, padding down the hallway toward the kitchen and piling up a plate with food. Though she had only wanted a sandwich, he got some other things to nibble on in case she decided that she was hungrier than thought and could eat it. When he returned, he was greeted by the women he had asked to visit her on his way down.
“Look at all these!” Autumn marveled. “I’ve got to get better so I can snuggle with them all,” she cooed, holding the very youngest of them against her with the steadying hands of one of the other women.
“They are going to need names too,” he told her.
Her eyes widened as she looked at him as if this had just now occurred to her, though he was certain it hadn’t. They had discussed names for one or two babies, just not eight.
“Yes! Oh, God. They don’t have names!”
Malcolm laughed and motioned toward her visitors to take the babies away.
“Okay, let’s get you fed so you can think straight, and we can work on the whole name thing while you heal.”
She looked at Bess rather than him.
“Bess, can you give me some paper and a pen? Do you have a list of sexes and times they were born, so I will know who is oldest and who is youngest?”
“You plan on naming them according to timestamp?” Malcolm asked as he brought her the food, watching as the women filed out with their arms full.
“No. I will name them one by one as I get to know them, but it will help keep them sorted out. I want to know what order they arrived in the world.”