KAREN’S POVThe moment the cake was sliced and the rich, chocolatey aroma filled the air, the room buzzed with anticipation. Everyone had their share—moist, decadent, melting on their tongues—but the real spectacle was about to begin.Gift opening.Jackson lowered Xavier onto the floor, his tiny hands immediately twitching with excitement. Before him sprawled a mountain of presents—shimmering wrapping paper, glossy ribbons, and gift bags stuffed with tissue paper that crinkled like autumn leaves under his eager fingers.His wide, bright eyes darted from one package to another, overwhelmed by the sheer abundance. Laila, never one to wait, shoved a bright yellow gift bag toward him, her grin sharp with mischief."Start with mine!" she declared, as if it were a challenge rather than a suggestion.Liam scoffed, nudging a sleek blue box right into Xavier’s lap. "Uh, excuse you, Laila," he drawled, smirking. "Uncle Liam’s gift is obviously the coolest here. No contest."Laila’s eyes narrowe
KAREN’S POVThe first year with Xavier was a whirlwind—sleepless nights blurring into golden mornings, his tiny fingers curling around mine, his laughter like the sweetest melody I’d ever known. Every moment felt fragile, as if the universe had entrusted me with something too precious to hold.I still remember the day we brought him home from the clinic. Jackson carried him inside, cradling him so carefully, as if our son were made of glass. Xavier looked impossibly small in his father’s arms, his little face scrunched up against the unfamiliar air. This world is too big for you, I thought, my chest tightening. But we’ll make it safe.Those first nights were a haze of exhaustion and wonder. Jackson refused to let me shoulder the feedings alone. Even when I whispered, “You need rest too,” he’d just shake his head, his voice rough with sleep but firm. “If you’re up, I’m up. We’re in this together.” And in the dim glow of the nursery, with Xavier’s soft breaths between us, I fell in love
KAREN’S POVThe room hummed with warmth, golden light spilling from the lamps and casting long, soft shadows across the walls. The scent of fresh linens and baby powder clung to the air, sweet and comforting, as I cradled our little boy against my chest.His tiny breaths fluttered against my skin, each one a quiet miracle. Every so often, he let out a sleepy sigh, his rosebud lips twitching as if he were dreaming of milk and warmth. My heart swelled, aching in that delicious, overwhelming way only a mother could understand.A soft knock broke the silence before the door creaked open."Room for a few more?" Laila’s voice, bright and eager, rang out as she slipped inside, followed closely by Liam, Sarah, and—to my surprise—Ryan, Jackson’s parents as well. Jackson, who had been adjusting the bassinet with careful hands, turned, his face lighting up with pride."Come in," I said, my voice thick with emotion.Laila rushed forward first, her eyes sparkling like sunlight on water. "Oh my God
JACKSON’S POVMy breath caught in my throat.There he was—my son. A tiny, squirming bundle of life, his little face scrunched up as he let out a piercing cry that echoed through the room. The sound should have been overwhelming, but instead, it wrapped around my heart like a promise. The nurse carefully placed him in Karen’s arms, and when she looked up at me—exhausted, sweaty, radiant—something inside me shattered and rebuilt itself in an instant.I’m a father.The realization hit me like a tidal wave. My vision blurred, my throat tightening as tears burned behind my eyes. I didn’t care. Leaning down, I pressed my lips to Karen’s forehead, her damp cheeks, her chapped lips—over and over, as if I could pour every ounce of my love into her through touch alone.“You did it,” I whispered, my voice rough. My fingers trembled as I brushed a stray curl from her face. “You’re incredible. So strong… God, I love you.”She smiled weakly, her lashes fluttering with exhaustion, but her eyes—those
Karen’s POVWe pulled into the pack clinic parking lot just as another contraction hit, and this time, I couldn’t hold back the scream. Nurses were already rushing out with a wheelchair. Jackson lifted me out of the car like I weighed nothing, ignoring my protests that I could walk.“Nope. Not happening. You’re done walking for today,” he said firmly.The moment we got into the clinic, everything sped up. The nurses wheeled me into a private delivery room while Jackson stayed at my side, never letting go of my hand. I barely noticed Laila, Sarah, and Liam being ushered out by Luna Hannah, who had just arrived with Alpha Xavier, both of them practically glowing with excitement.The pain was overwhelming. I tried to focus on Jackson’s voice, on his warm hand in mine, on the quiet encouragement in his eyes.“You’ve got this, Karen,” the doctor said, checking my dilation. “It’s time.”That’s when the real chaos began. The contractions were intense and nonstop. I pushed, screamed, cried, a
KAREN’S POVNine months. Nine breathtaking, overwhelming, heart-stretching months.I blinked, and suddenly, my belly was round and firm, my feet swollen, my back aching. The world had shifted around me in quiet, imperceptible ways—until now, when I could no longer see my toes without bending forward, when Jackson’s hands lingered protectively over my stomach every night, when every kick from our little one sent a thrill through my chest.We had chosen not to know the gender. A surprise, we called it—a moment we wanted to experience raw and unfiltered, just the two of us, breathless and waiting. Laila and Sarah, of course, had other ideas."It’s a girl," Sarah declared for what felt like the hundredth time, sprawled across our couch with a bowl of popcorn in her lap. "I can feel it. We need another princess in this pack—someone to balance out all this testosterone."Laila nodded eagerly, already scrolling through her phone. "Matching outfits. Sleepovers. Tiny little dresses. Oh, Karen,