Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
‘No, Dad! Please!’ I yell and scream with the next contraction.
‘Ryker! Hurry! The baby is coming. I’m in labour.’
‘You’re in labour?’
‘Dad will kill our baby as soon as it’s born! I scream with the next contraction.
‘There are twenty different abandoned places. We have checked most of them: We should be able to find you any time now. I promise I’ll be there soon!
Dad approaches me, sits on the ground in front of me, and scratches the blade into the concrete to torment me. My contractions are closer together now. My body is almost ready to push.
We’re here! I can smell your scent, he links.
I let out a scream with the contraction.
I can hear you. He mind-links me. I hear footsteps outside, twenty metres away. Dad hears them too. Heopens a long case and pulls out a shotgun. He points the gun toward the door.
‘Let her go? Ryker growls. My Dad chuckles
‘Or what?’ He says.
I’ll rip your head off Ryker warns. My Dad aims his rifle and shoots. He misses.
‘We’re going to play it this way then, are we?’ Ryker says, removing his shirt and jeans and shifting into his wolf. He charges toward Dad. The gun fires. Ryker yelps.
‘Ryker!’ I yell, watching the blood trickle from his shoulder. Dad reloads his gun.
‘Well, I’ll be damned. Werewolves exist. Just think of the money I would get if I shot you dead and skin your fur! He shouts.
Ryker lets out a growl and circles him. Dad keeps the rifle pointed in Ryker’s direction. I scream as another contraction comes and briefly averts Dad’s attention, giving Ryker enough time to lunge at him. A shot rings out, and Ryker body-slams into Dad, pinning him to the ground. Ryker snarls close to Dad’s face, baring his fangs and a mouth full of sharp canines.
‘Whoa, steady there, boy…’ Dad says, raising his hands in surrender. Ryker bites down so quickly, killing my Dad within seconds, Ryker shifts back into human form and runs to me. He removes the restraints from my wrists.
‘The baby is coming, I pant. ‘Il need to push,
‘You’re safe now. I’m here now. Push babe. You can do this! He says reassuringly. I nod and push during the next contraction.
‘I can see the head!’ Ryker announces. ‘Come on, babe! One more push! With all my might, I push. The baby slides out into Ryker’s hands and wails.
‘You did it? Ryker says, wrapping his shirt around the baby and placing him in my arms. He sits beside me while we look down in awe at our huge but perfect baby boy.
‘Wow! He is one big baby, Ryker says.
‘Definitely an Alpha like his Daddy, I giggle.
‘No wonder your belly was so huge!’ He says.
I’ve told the doctor and the others where we are. We’ll have you and our son home soon, Ryker smiles.
‘I can’t believe this boy is our son. What are we going to name him?’ I ask Ryker.
‘What about Magnus? It’s a tough, powerful name, and it also means large. Very fitting for a future Alpha. I think so anyway, Ryker says.
‘Alpha Magnus. I like it? I smile.
‘It’s settled. Magnus, it is, Ryker declares. The doctor arrives, and Ryker cuts the umbilical cord. The doctor drives us home to find many pack members waiting outside the packhouse.
‘Wow, half of Shadow Crest must be here,’ I say, surprised.
Ryker steps out of the car before helping me up while I carefully carry baby Magnus. Ryker clears his throat and addresses our eager pack members.
‘I know you’re all are keen to meet the future Alpha of the pack, but Astrid and the baby need rest after their ordeal.
‘It’s a boy! Someone yells out.
‘Yes, it’s a boy!’ Ryker confirms. Everyone cheers.
‘A boy! The future Alpha of Shadow Crest!’ Someone says. Ryker and I smile at each other.
‘Unless you live in the packhouse, please go home. You’ll have the chance to meet the baby during the week, Ryker says.
Guests aren’t happy about not being able to see the baby wrapped up in my arms.
I sit in an armchair in the living room. Ryker crouches down beside me and strokes Magnus’ thick brown hair. Seth, Kane, Mia and Hayley watch on from other sofas as I unwrap him and take him out of his swaddle. Everyone gasps.
‘He is twice the size of a newborn wolf-pup!’ Seth says, shocked,
‘No wonder you were eating ten meals a day, Astrid! It wasn’t to feed you. It was to feed him!’ Mia says in astonishment. We all burst out laughing at the truth of her words.
‘We have named him, I say excitedly.
‘What’s his name?’ Hayley asks, wide-eyed.
‘Well, we wanted a powerful name, he being a future Alpha. He is going to be huge as an adult. So, we’ve decided on Magnus,’ I say, with a beaming smile.
‘It’s perfect!’ Mia declares, clapping her hands together, delighted.
‘Alpha Magnus. That is a powerful name, Seth smiles.
‘He has your eyes, Astrid. And your hair, Hayley says.
‘And his Dad’s nose and handsome face,’ I giggled.
‘Our perfect baby boy, Ryker says, proudly placing his hand on my shoulder
‘Come on Magnus, please play hide and seek with me,’ Nina begs me with her large, brown, doe-like eyes.
I walk towards her with abrupt haste. She steps back until she feels the bluestone wall against her back. I tower over her with ease.
My mother Astrid, the Luna of Shadow Crest, always reminds me that when I was born, I was double the size of a regular wolf baby and even now almost a foot taller and much broader than any other ten-year-old. She says I may even become the mightiest Alpha of all lone day.
Glaring down into Nina’s eyes, I huff, Im still mad at you for tricking me into putting salt on my cereal this morning instead of sugar.”
Nina’s face lights up with a smile. The look on your face when you ate it though, was so worth it,’ she giggles.
Why do you always enjoy making me the laughingstock of the family? Do you hate me that much?