The Imperial Wolf Series Books 1-3
Chapter 44

Erick POV

Kate and Alexander seem to make some sort of amends. At least it is something. I understand her fears of him, hell I do not trust him either, but we know nothing about raising a hybrid or a vampire. If this baby is more vampire than a wolf, we will be lost and need his help.

The five of us head home, bidding Alexander and the other vampires goodbye. I have never been so happy to head home. I am thankful to have Kate coming home with me. John and Trip are excited too.

"We really should throw one hell of a party for Kate," John says.

"I just cannot wait to get home and check on my wife, but a party would be great," Trip says.

"I do not need a party; what I need is to get home," Kate says.

Shawn is, for the most part, quiet on the way back home. He does not talk much, and it is obvious he has something on his mind. I finally ask him. "Are you okay, Shawn?"

"Yeah, I thought that if I killed Macon that I would feel better," Shawn says.

"Macon is dead?" Kate questions Shawn and me. I did not tell her. What was I thinking?

"Yes, I killed him when we were getting you out of the compound," Shawn says.

"Funny, Alexander did not talk like he was dead," Kate says.

"What do you mean?" Shawn asks Kate.

"Well, he talked about him but never mentioned he was dead; no one did," Kate says, cutting her eyes toward me.

"I should have told you," I say to her touching her hand.

"Are you sure he is dead?" Kate asks.

"Yes, afterward, some of the vampires took him with them," Shawn says, then he stares off into space.

"I am confused. I thought if a hybrid dies as a wolf, they will take their vampire form," Trip interjects into the conversation.

"See, this is why I do not trust Alexander or those vampires," Kate says.

"We will figure it out, just do not panic yet," I say.

The truck is silent the rest of the way home. I do not want Kate to worry about anything. I want her to be able to get through the rest of her pregnancy in some sort of peace. She has been through a lot, and this last thing she should have to worry about is Macon as a vampire coming after her.

We pull into the driveway, and I park in front of the house. Kate smiles as she sees Cassie come out on the porch to meet her. Kate gets out of the truck and runs to meet her. They hug and cry.

"You got fat, Kate," Cassie says to her.

Kate laughs loudly. I have not heard that loud laugh in a long time. "Yeah, well, I am growing a baby wolf," Kate says, hugging Cassie again. Andrew comes out to see Kate, and the three of them group hug. John and Trip join in the hug. "I have missed all of you so much," Kate says. "Well, I thought you all might be hungry. I have been cooking my ass off for all of you. Austin helped me. He has missed Erick," Cassie says.

Kate goes in to help Cassie set the table. She talks to Austin. She is going to be such a great mother. "Is he with us all the time now?" Kate asks me.

"Yeah, I have been taking care of him the last six months. Cassie helps, and he has a nanny. I could not turn him away. I am his only family. He is a good kid, and he seems to love it here. He loves Cassie," I say to her. "Good, I would never want a child abandoned for any reason, not ever," Kate says.

"I need to go check on Meagan," Trip says.

"She is on her way here. She was having contractions last night. So maybe we will get a baby soon," Cassie says.

"I am ready for her to have the baby. I am excited," Trip says.

"Trust me, she is too," Cassie says.

Meagan comes into the kitchen; she is very pregnant and looks miserable. She joins us for the meal Cassie has prepared. Trip waits on her and dotes on her. Kate watches Trip and smiles. She is happy for him. "When is your baby due?" Meagan asks Kate.

"I am twenty-seven weeks, so not too much longer," Kate answers.

"Well, I am overdue and ready to have this baby wolf," Meagan says.

"Boy or girl?" Kate asks.

"We do not know, you?" Meagan asks.

"I do not know. I want to see the pack doctor as soon as possible," Kate says.

"Cassie is my midwife. She has been wonderful. I highly recommend her," Meagan says.

"I would definitely want Cassie to be mine too," Kate says.

"I would be honored," Cassie says.

We eat our meal and talk for hours. Kate always loves to sit around the table and just talk after a dinner. "We could go for a run," John says.

"The two pregnant wolves cannot do that, but you guys go ahead. Kate and I can sit on the porch," Meagan says.

"I do not want to leave you," I say to Kate.

"I will be fine," Kate says with a smile and a kiss.

All of us go outside. Kate and Meagan sit on the porch and talk as we head out into the wood. I know I should want to go for a run with them, but I stop and go back to be with Kate.

I step onto the porch and sit down beside the two ladies. "I think I have had enough excitement the last few days. I am going to hang out with you two if that is okay," I say to them. "Well, Alpha, we would very much enjoy your company," Meagan says.

The two talk about being pregnant. It is not something I have got to experience with Kate. I missed so much with her being gone. Kate is beautiful as she laughs and talks with Meagan. "Feel this," Kate says. I touch her baby bump and feel a movement.

"That is our baby," I exclaim.

"Just wait until that baby starts doing summersaults inside you," Meagan laughs.

Meagan yelps and moves strangely. "Alpha, can you help me stand," Meagan asks me.

I go over to her and help her to her feet; when Meagan stands, water pools under her feet. "Oh shit!" I exclaim.

"Calm down, Alpha, it is fine. My water broke. Can you please calmly go get my husband?" Meagan says calmly. Meagan is so calm. I am freaking out.

"I will help her get comfortable in the house," Kate says.

Kate walks with Meagan into the house, and I jump off the porch taking my wolf form and running as fast as I can to find Trip. I run through the woods and finally locate them.

"You decide to join us, Alpha," John says.

"Meagan's water broke," I say. Trip takes off before I finish the sentence. He is like a bolt of lightning trying to get to his wife. The rest of us follow him.

We get back to the house. Cassie goes in to help Meagan. Trip is already in the house. John and I stay outside. Finally, Kate comes out of the house to give us a report.

"She is too far into labor to be moved from here. So she will have the baby here. She is fine and doing great. I helped Austin to bed, and I am going back in to help Cassie with Meagan," Kate says. I lean down and kiss her on the cheek. Hours pass before Kate comes back out of the house. But, when she comes out, she is all smiles. "It was amazing. Trip and Meagan have a baby boy, and he is perfect," Kate says.

Happiness looks beautiful on her.