RAIDEN ||

Another week has gone by without issue and we are still here in the Shadow Pack, totaling Dylan's time here to about 5 weeks.

I didn't know how that would affect his pack back in Wolf's Claw or affect his position as Alpha, but I was pretty happy for a few reasons that we hadn't gone back yet.

Dylan seems happier here, he has an actual family here, there's less wolves so my anxiety hasn't been that bad and the obvious reason, I finally got to take my puppy in a way that proved he was mine and mine only.

Mating him, claiming him and to my surprise, knotting him has been the best thing I could have ever heard done, well to me. Dylan still hasn't brought up the fact that he took my knot so well, I wasn't sure why because I wanted to talk it about it last night, but he cut me off by telling me he didn't feel good and just wanted me to hold him without talking, so I obliged because he's been struggling lately.

It's been 24 days since I took my pups and he's been so sick ever since. Well the first 3 days, he was in an extreme amount of pain, but the following 3 weeks, his pain turned into an insane amount of symptoms that only led me to one thing.... he must be seriously ill.

I would have thought it might be pregnancy because I've been around so many pregnant felines and his symptoms matched theirs entirely, but I was skeptical because dad told me that Alpha males can't get pregnant.

I didn't get pregnant after he topped me. He didn't attach his knot the first time or second time, but all of the other times he took me within those 3 days of my heat, he definitely knotted. I felt everything about it, his swelling, his growth, the warmth of his seed inside my channel and I felt his knot take. He attached himself to me more than 10 times, it was uncomfortable, but I was so out of it during my heat, I didn't feel any pain associated with it.

So the fact that he knotted me so many different times and I haven't grown a womb nor gotten pregnant, my dads words lingered throughout my mind.

Alpha males can't get pregnant.

So my pups symptoms have to be from something else entirely and he won't allow me to take him to the pack clinic here or see their pack doctor. It's driving me fucking nuts, he would rather be so uncomfortable and wallow in his own misery, than actually seek help because he feels like it would make him look weak.

I have to figure out a way to raise his confidence and self esteem because the way he feels about himself is not the way the important people in his life see him.

If you ask me, the only ones that are important enough to actually care about their opinions are the ones right here in the Shadow pack. His really family with Liam, Emilio, Bennett, Taj, the wolves of the Shadow pack, the other weird Mythic creatures, my family, my favorite Avery and even Gabe and Hunter, who I still hate because they hasn't apologized to me yet.

I'm also still withholding the truth from my brother because I don't want to ruin his bond with Hunter, but the wolf better come clean soon and apologize to me about it because I can't exactly control Onyx if he decides to force our shift about it.

"I'm glad you realize I only stay contained because of my love for you Raiden."

"I know Onyx and thank you."

"You're welcome, but just as you thought, I don't like Gabe or Hunter and I'm doing this for Roman and Asad."

"Do you think if Rome found out the truth, he would go crazy?"

"Most likely, our brother isn't as patient as you Raiden, you may only lose it when your anxiety kicks in and that's partially my fault because I hate being crowded more than you do, but Roman is a lose cannon when he gets upset, so I think you're doing the right thing by keeping it quiet."

"And what about you?"

"Well I don't like Gabe, but I won't harm him because of our love for Avery.. the little wolf is a great guy and I like him. So I can remain quiet for his sake. As far as Hunter goes, I can remain quiet as long as he doesn't overstep his boundaries."

"Which are?" I ask, curiously.

"He better stay loyal to our puppy and he better keep his attitude in check, also he needs to keep his distance from us and find his own way to tell Roman and Asad the truth because they deserve it."

"So as long as Hunter stays away from us and doesn't physically or emotionally hurt Dylan or Rome, then you're content with keeping our time in the cells a secret?" I ask, to clarify.

"Yes."

"And if he crosses one of those boundaries, would you really tell Asad what happened? That could break their bond Onyx."

"I love our brother, so I don't know. Maddox and I made a promise to stay out of other bonds that weren't ours, Im just still upset that Hunter and Gabe haven't apologized to us for their part.... The little shits Garrett and Theo apologized even if it was half-assed, so what's stopping Gabe and Hunter?"

"Good point and I don't know."

Speaking to my leopard made me feel better, even if for a few minutes. He helped curve the urge to rip out Gabe and Hunters stomach through their throats and then make them eat their own fucking genitals.

I sound crazy as hell, but I don't like those wolves. One thing that's truly important to me is accountability. Onyx is right, even though Garrett and Theo physically hurt me more, at least they apologized and didn't do any further damage.

Gabe and Hunter have yet to apologize for their parts, refusing to accept their accountability and the fact that they were the ones to consistently inject that poison into my body, then keep the truth from their mates about their entire involvement, it just bothers me.

I would never be able to trust them until they take accountability and with my lack of trust in them, I wouldn't allow Dylan around them without me being there. No matter how much he fought me on this, it's just not happening. I would choke his sweet little ass out and deprive him of necessary air while kissing him until he passed out before I would allow anyone around him thats untrustworthy.

Especially now with him being so sick and vulnerable, which made me want to ask Onyx his opinions on it.

"Onyx, what do you think about Dylan's illness?"

"I don't think it's an illness."

"Well what do you think it is then?"

"I think his body is going through a physical change, I think maybe he might be growing a womb, his scent is a lot sweeter than it was before."

"Yeah I noticed that too."

His scent has been insanely sweet these past 3 weeks, like mouthwatering sweet.

Usually he smelled like honey and lemon, the perfect sweet to its sour, but now he's carrying the faintest scent of cinnamon. His new scent shouldn't work as well with his previous ones, but oddly enough, it does and it's perfect. Like it's apart of him that was supposed to be there all along.

"Onyx, do you really think he could have grown a womb?"

"It makes sense with his symptoms."

"But dad said Alpha males can't grow a womb, that Alpha males can't get pregnant."

"Raiden, I love dad I really do, but you have too much belief in him."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because dad doesn't know everything, he obviously got his information from somewhere, most likely old books or something, the Gods and Goddesses have created a way for men to grow wombs and carry cubs."

"I know, but it's only like if their mate is an Alpha right?"

"I'm not sure Raiden, but did you ever think that dad wouldn't really know what a male can do in a bond with another male because he's only had a bond with a female?"

SHIT.

That's true, my dad wouldn't truly know what can happen in a same sex bond because he's never been in one.

What if the things he told me only applied to alpha male felines? Which would make total sense because I haven't grown a womb after taking Dylan's knot so many times.

Maybe his information didn't pertain to wolves, maybe Dylan can get pregnant...

Which means.. OH SHIT.

"Onyx, do you think Dylan is carrying our cubs?"

"I'm not sure Raiden, the only way to be sure is if I come forward with you and we scent him."

"But we've scented him so many times and you've never said anything and I can't feel anything."

"That's because he's had his veil up, we would have to scent him when he's unsuspecting."

"Like when?"

"When he's sleeping would probably be the best time."

I mentally nod to my leopard before opening the bathroom door, pups was on the bed sleeping as usual, but I could feel his veil was up. I think he's been blocking his mind from everyone in his pack, so they couldn't link him, but that wasn't helpful to me because I couldn't even push through in our link with him blocking everyone out like this.

I'm sure it has something to do with the massive headache he's been complaining about and my poor puppy shifts constantly in his sleep, readjusting his jewels because he said they're uncomfortably swollen and sensitive.

I offered to help relieve him, but he said it's not that kind of sensitive, more like he came too many times and his dick and balls hate him for it, which I found funny because he came so many times during our first escapade, I ended up milking him dry and he never complained about that. This feeling however, was not a happy one for him.

Poor puppy.

Who might be carrying my cubs if Onyx is right.

That entire thought caused a big, dorky grin to take over my face. I would love if my pups was pregnant, producing the cutest, strongest cubs this world has ever seen. Both of their dads being alphas, our cubs would naturally become alphas as well. Strong, domineering, fierce little felines taking over this world as their fathers would.

Or they might be wolves, I would love them all the same seeing how their dad is a wolf and I can't get enough of his crazy ass.

I'm sure I'm getting ahead of myself here, but I'm kind of praying to the Gods and Goddesses that he's carrying multiples. Fuck, I would love that.

Come on pups, give me a litter.

I don't care if it's a mixture of wolves and leopards or just wolves or just leopards, all I want is a damn litter.

I already know what I would name them if they're boys, Gage and Ezra, strong names like my father, my brother and mine. Names that would fit the legacy they would build and the battles they would overcome.

I wonder if Dylan's hearing problems could be passed down to our cubs or pups? I know he got his from Liam, but I wonder if the disability would continue onto the next generation. It doesn't bother me because my pups has shown how strong he is even with his disability, but I wondered how that would affect little ones.

Damn, I'm getting too excited over nothing. He may not even be pregnant, Onyx might be wrong and my dad might be right. Dylan is an alpha male, he might not have the ability to grow a womb. There's never been a time in my life where I prayed my dad was wrong, but right now, yeah I hope he's wrong.

Finally walking out of the bathroom because I had spent enough time staring at my mate from the doorway, I left our room to grab Dylan's apple juice and muffin that I knew he would be looking for once he woke up.

When I walked into the kitchen, I seen my mom and sisters cooking and laughing together. My dad, Preston, Hunter and Roman were sitting at the island counter watching them with big goofy grins.

The sight in front of me was all too familiar and I smiled watching the girls be their normal weirdo female selves.

"And a one." My mom sang, sprinkling seasoning into the pit on the stove, then twirling out the way so Maisie and Dakota could spin their way to the pot.

"And a two." Maisie and Dakota sang, sprinkling their seasonings and repeating moms actions to make room for Zahara to spin her way to the pot.

"And a three." Zahara sprinkled her seasoning in and they all yelled the last word together.

"Weeeee!"

Giggling and cheering, the girls continued their dance party around the kitchen as I made my way to take a seat next to my dad.

"Hey son." He slapped me on the shoulder.

"Hey pops."

"I thought we wouldn't see you today, Dylan has been keeping you busy huh?" He asks, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Not that way." I laughed before shaking my head. "He's just been really sick and he's holding me hostage until he feels better, but I don't mind pampering him." I shrug with a smile.

"As you should, if your mate is..." Mom trails off before smiling. "Sick." She winks at me. "You should take care of him and stay by his side until his..." Trailing off again, she looks at my dad before looking back at me. "Sickness is over."

"Mom is being a weirdo." Onyx purred happily.

I couldn't agree more with him, my mom is a natural born weirdo and I love her for it. Other than her anxiety attacks, she didn't have a serious bone in her body. Much like my dad who is the epitome of a walking dad joke. The man truly thinks his jokes are funny when they're just embarrassing.

"Says the guy who laughed at his own joke."

"Wait what joke?"

"Dill pickles."

I snorted immediately at the remembrance of Dylan's safe word being way too close to that snack.

"You made a total dad joke, just face it, you're going to be one of those dads."

Onyx teased, all I could do was smile at the thought of being a dad though. If I would be a corny one, then oh well, my cubs will just have to deal with it.

Damn, I'm more like my dad than I thought.

I stayed downstairs in the kitchen for longer than I intended to, forgetting all about my mate's apple juice and muffin, until I heard his voice.

"Raiden, where are you?" He whined through our link, stopping mid laugh, I responded quickly.

"Downstairs grabbing your Apple juice and blueberry muffin, love. I'm coming right now."

"Hurry up, I don't feel good."

"I'm coming love."

Cutting the link, I hopped off the chair and grabbed what I needed before making my way back to our room, ignoring the constant teasing of my annoying ass family.

As soon as I walked into our room, I almost stumbled into the wall. His scent was strong and I mean, knock you off your feet, strong. The cinnamon that was faint when I left the room a few hours ago, was now full blown in your face, right there, apart of Dylan's natural scent and I loved every minute of it.

Closing the door behind me, I set his snacks and juice down and wrap my arms around his waist, burying my face in his neck and inhaling as much of his new scent as I could.

It was that good and it urged forward, the strongest protective and possessive instincts within me. Onyx rushed forward, purring his contentment at the sudden smells overtaking every fiber of our being.

This new feeling had the hairs on my arms standing, every sense I had was on alert, I wanted nothing more than to wrap my mate in my calling and keep him close.

The most primal instinct of protection for my mate and his new scent was overwhelming to say the least. I couldn't let him go even if I wanted to. I tightened my grip around his waist and inhaled his essence again, letting out a deep and guttural growl on the expulsion of my lungs.

I wanted to claim him again, I needed to claim him. His new scent was overpowering everything else and I couldn't smell my scent on him anymore, which made both myself and Onyx anxious and to be honest, completely pissed off. We needed everyone to know that Dylan belonged to us and what better way to mark our territory than by doing just that, so I had to remark my territory.

Allowing my canines to elongate, I kissed my mark on his soft skin and he shuddered against me. I purred at his reaction then gently sunk my canines into his flesh.

"Babe." He hissed tightening his grip around my neck, but I was careful not to hurt him too much. I knew he freaked out from the sudden sensation of my reclaiming him, not so much the feeling of pain.

Gently sinking my canines even further, I felt every muscle of his that I tore through, being this deep within his mark, I could feel all of him.

The warmth that radiated through him and our emotional band wrapped around me like a blanket needed on a winters night. He moaned when I sucked, forcing my canines even deeper into his flesh and that's when I flinched at the foreign feeling swimming through me, through our bond, engulfing me in its grasp and holding tight.

The new feeling forced that primal urge of protection even more and I could feel how much it wanted me, how much it needed me, it's warmth and energy didn't match Dylan's or mine, no this was entirely new.

A new energy. Within Dylan.

"Raiden." Onyx whispered, I could feel his shock and the euphoria flooding through us both.

Slowly pulling my canines from his neck, I licked my mark, resealing it and easing my grip on my puppy. The moment I pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, my knees gave out.

I dropped to the floor in front of him and that new scent hit me even harder. Instinctively, I leaned forward and pressed my nose against his bare stomach. Something was pulling me there, forcing me to protect it, to find it and love it.

So I searched for it, sniffing my mate's stomach, desperately trying to figure out what that scent was, who's energy is still wrapped around me, what's calling me to find it, to protect it, to love it, to shield it.

What the fuck is it?

Pressing my nose against his skin even harder, I take in multiple deep breaths, wrapping my hands around his hips to keep him still as I searched for the energy binding mine to its own.

Then I felt it again.

Warmth, stronger than my own, stronger than Dylan's.

And I heard it.

A heartbeat, no, two heartbeats?

Maybe Dylan's and another? Or two within him?

And then I smelled it again, but even stronger.

Cinnamon. That scent was coming from within him, that's why it was apart of him. It doesn't belong to him, it belongs to the energy inside him and that realization further pushed my protective and possessive instincts.

"MINE." Both Onyx and I growl out before looking up to meet Dylan's gaze.

He looked terrified.

Like he didn't know what was going on, why I reacted this way, but surely he knew, he had to know. It's his body, he would have known before I did.

Now his symptoms make sense.

My dad was wrong.

If this is true.. there's no way he's going back to that Wolf's Claw pack.

Onyx was right.

Dylan is....

"Pups, you're pregnant."

SHOCK.

______________________________