Jax

She looked so fragile, lying on my bed. Her hands rested on her stomach, protecting our son.

"She is in great health, Jaxon. You don't have to worry. You have strong genes and your age will ensure this pregnancy makes it to full term. I have no limitations other than what is routine for a woman in her state."

I watched as Dr. Crane, an old friend, put his supplies in a large black briefcase. With a hand to my shoulder, he nodded reassuringly then departed. It wasn't the pregnancy I feared. Now more than ever, I had to protect. It was part of our nature instinctually. If Dagen found out she was carrying my child he would act. I had no doubt.

Kissing her forehead, I left her to rest. Cade and Simian waited downstairs. I had to get my head straight for what was coming. After the Zombie attack on Halloween, our effort to track down a witch had been in vain. Dredge had obviously released Zora. The use of dark magic was undeniable.

Now we had the added problem of Julia's brother wanting to claim redemption. Fuck. I didn't need this bullshit. My glare was leveled on Cade, who was dying to make a remark. He knew not to test my limits. I would seriously charge him like a bull. My face must have said so because he zipped it. Simian, on the other hand, looked a bit pasty even for a Clairvoyant.

I patted him on the shoulder. "Ease up, my man. You were only doing what you do best and I appreciate it. This does, however, take things to another level.

"I am seriously going to be an uncle. This is so cool." Cade quipped.

I couldn't take his excitement away. I smirked at him instead. "Contain yourself, Cade. I am not leaving him alone in the same state with you."

He looked dejected and I almost felt sorry for the wily bastard. I was so caught up with getting a plan together to nail Dagen, I hadn't even let myself feel. My chest was tight with emotion of the good and bad variety. There was too much at stake. In a couple of days my life had spun a three sixty. Sienna and a child. I couldn't contemplate my life without them. Already, I felt the bonds of fatherhood slipping around my heart, holding me tightly. Simian's voice broke my thoughts.

"What did the doctor say?"

"That she's healthy and because of my age and genes, the pregnancy should be normal."

"How about the Hybrid situation?" Cade asked.

"We'll have to wait and see but chances are high he will take my gift."

"That's good bro. I'm glad to hear it."

I looked down because there was nothing else I could say. A thousand scenarios ran through my head, all of them bad. My imagination was sucking my ability to plan ahead. Walking over to the bar I threw back a few shots. Cade and Simian joined me.

"So Milo is over at Sienna's place with some help. They're packing her stuff. What do you want us to do with the furniture?"

I let the liquid slide down my throat before answering. "Put it all in storage. Just bring the essentials. I'll buy her whatever else she needs."

Cade lowered his eyebrows. "You sure that won't piss her off? Pregnant females are moody."

I snapped my head in his direction. "Just do it, Cade. I'll deal with the moodiness."

"You got it." Cade mumbled.

I strode over to the windows, studying the landscape. It called to me. I needed relief and soon. "I need to run off some of this shit. Call a team in here."

"Sure deal. I'll come with you. We need to patrol the area anyway."

The others arrived shortly and within minutes Cade and I were hitting the ground in our wolf form. We ran side by side, scanning the area for any differences. Dawn wasn't far and our only saving grace was the pregnant clouds hanging low, obscuring the light. The jagged rocks of the low-lying cliffs came up ahead and I pawed at the drop, raising my nose to the cold breeze coming off the water. Cade howled. He smelled it too. In unison we turned and followed the scent. Two black wolves ran parallel to us about ten yards to the east. One turned and glanced in our direction, its eyes darker than the night. Son of a bitch! Those were Insurgents. I roared into the night, pushing my speed. The lights of my home glittered through the trees. I was close yet not close enough.