The Runaway Breeder

Chapter 18

My eyes once again open to the annoying sound of the heartbeat monitor and all I can think is how much I hate that machine with a passion as it continues to beep with my every heartbeat. Glaring at the monitor, I slowly sit up only to feel my body being pulled back down and held captive against a muscular chest.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Tate mumbles, his voice husky with sleep as he nuzzles against my hair. I grin and relax against my mate, deciding to leave the grudge against the machine connected to my body for now as I enjoy the sparks that ignite by the connection of our bodies.

“I was going to smash the stupid machines connected to me.” I admit with the heart monitor once again beeping to punctuate my statement. I can’t wait to get rid of these machines, especially the one with its annoying beeping. I just want to be home with Tate and our baby girl and mourn the death of my other child quietly. As if connected to my thought of her, a tiny cry of protest rings out from the bassinet. Tate groans before releasing me from his arms. He proceeds to stand from the hospital bed to gently lift the small pup from her bed, cooing softly to her as he cries settle down.

A light knock is rapt on the door before the nurse from last night walks in, giving us a quick greeting and checking over our pup before handing me a warm bottle. Taking this as our cue to feed, the little baby, Tate hands her to me with her still wrapped in her pink blanket and I get to work with placing the rubber nipple to her lips and watching her latch onto it. The sound of my pup feeding fills my heart with warmth, and I take the time to just stare at her innocent little face.

“So, do you have any names for her?” Tate asks as I feed our baby girl. I have a few, but there were two names I would want for her first and middle name.

“Julia Chris Randall-Silvermoon,” I answer absentmindedly, turning my head just far enough to see the shock on my mate’s face when I say his last name.

“Why my last name?” He asks, unsure. I grin before I turn back to Julia. Seeing that her eyes were wide awake, staring back at me as she releases the now empty bottle, her face content at being filled. I hand the bottle to Tate and proceeded to burp her, smiling when she lets out the smallest burp before she settles into me.

“You may not have sired her, but as far as she will ever know, you are her father through and through. I will not allow anyone else to raise her but my mate, and that is you.” I answer honestly, seeing the beaming smile grow radiantly as Tate comes to sit beside me and pulls me into his arms, his lips kissing my temple gently as we look down at Julia.

“I plan to name her sister Kelly Lynn Randall-Silvermoon. She needs a name to be buried with.” My throat clenches with pain as a whimper escapes. I could still feel the shattering pain that comes with Kelly dying before even having a chance to live. I would give anything to turn back time and have the girls born just a day earlier to prevent this tragedy, but I know I can’t. I would have to live knowing that I now have a little angel living with my parents in the Goddess’ court. Calloused hands wipe away stray tears that fall from my eyes and I take in Tate’s scent, calming myself as I lean closer into his embrace. I am glad I found Tate when I did, I don’t think I would have survived that night my pups were birthed if I hadn’t.

“May I ask why Kelly?” Tate questions gently, his hands drawing soothing circles on my arms.

“She is named after my great grandmother. I remember her being kind and caring when I was a pup, and I hope that she can take care of her namesake with my parents where ever their souls are.” I answer. I feel my arms slowly growing tired in their position of holding Julia, watching her little eyes slowly close. She is adorable when sleepy, and I wish I could take a picture and send it to Chris.

“Let me see our little Julia.” Tate whispers, his hands moving from around me to in front as he lifts our now sleeping baby from my arms.

“Hey!” I protest, trying to reach out and take her back from Tate, only for my mate to elude my reaching hands and gently rock Julia in his arms.

“Hush, babe, Julia is sleeping.” He scolds me with a playful frown on his face. I watch as he takes her to a table, seeing his quick hands change her diaper before shaking my head helplessly and lean back in the pillows. I watch silently as Tate cleans up Julia without waking her before returning her to her bassinet and joining me in bed. As he settles in and wraps me once more in his embrace, a knock on the door sounds before opening. A man in a lab coat appears in the entryway with a friendly smile on his face.

“How are my patients today?” The man asks, walking towards my bed and nodding respectfully at Tate and me. A clipboard is held in his left hand while he fumbles in his right pocket before procuring a pen and clicking it open.

“Well, Julia is fast asleep, and Laina here is comfortable. I think the machines have her annoyed.” Tate answers, causing the man I now know as my Doctor to look quizzically at us just as the stupid heart monitor beeps once more, causing me to growl at it.

“That’s our pup. Yes, I am comfortable, and yes, I am ready to destroy the machines hooked up to me, especially this stupid heart monitor.” I answer the Doctor, turning my head to glare at the heart monitor as it makes an especially loud beep. The doctor chuckles for a moment at my statement and writes notes in my file. I could see the amusement in his eyes before he turns to quickly scan Julia. I swear if I didn’t place my hand on Tate’s leg, he would have growled and bared his claws at the doctor, who is only doing his job.

“Both of you seem to be doing well, and my estimation right now before I do a check-up is that you will be able to go home tomorrow at the latest.” I smile at the Doctor’s words, excitement filling me at the prospect of going. I want to leave this hospital with its sterile smell. I want to be at home with the scent of Tate wrapping around me in our comfortable bed and the smell of breakfast as we sit in our breakfast nook.

“I am Altrex, the pack’s Doctor, but everyone calls me Doctor Rex.” Doctor Rex introduces himself as he comes to stand on the other side of my bed, away from Tate. I could tell my mate’s protective side is taking over as his arms tighten slightly around me, and he constantly glances at our sleeping pup.

“I can’t wait to get you two home safe.” He grumbles into my ear, causing a bemused smile to spread across my face while he nuzzles my neck. Men, they could be jealous monsters at the most random of times.

“Now I have to check your cuts and stitches and do a few more tests to make sure you are healing fine. Tate, if you don’t mind, I need you to let Laina go so that we can see how well she is healing.” Doctor Rex states with his own bemused expression. I can tell right away these two are friends as Tate grumbles incoherent words, which I believe are curses towards the Doctor, before he gives me a kiss on my cheek and releases me. I watch Tate stand only to hover close to the edge of the bed causing me to roll my eyes while I slowly sit up.

Doctor Rex performs the usual checks from listening to my lungs and heart – although the stupid heart monitor is still beating at a steady rhythm – to taking my temperature and blood pressure. After going through the motion, I am told to lie down and raise my shirt just enough for him to see my incisions from the emergency surgery. I turn my head, looking away and into Tate’s eyes, not wanting to look at my flat stomach right now while Doctor Rex skims over the stitches and takes note of what he sees in my file.

“I have some good news. After checking everything over, I believe you can head home tonight.” Doctor Rex announces before mentioning I can fix my shirt and sit up once again. Tate helps me straighten out clothes and supports my upper body as I slowly sit up before my mate joins me in bed and pulls me into his arms.

“Your incisions are healing faster than I thought, but for the next two weeks at least, you are to be on bed rest. This means no running, shifting, exercising or heavy lifting. Just relax with little Julia and laze about all day.” Doctor Rex continues with a smile. The thought of being in my own bed tonight brings a smile to my face while I take a deep breath.

“Okay, Doc, I’ll behave.” I agree, snuggling into Tate and yawning.

“Only if you take this Goddess awful machine out of this room!” I add after the heart monitor beeps again. Goddess I wish I could smash it right now.

“I will prescribe you some medication to help with the pain. In about two weeks, you should be back to normal.” With that, Doctor Rex leaves and I smile, getting closer to Tate. A nurse comes in and unhooks my body from the multiple machines but the I.V. drip. Finally, the stupid beeping from the heart monitor is gone, and exhaustion claims me once again.

“Why don’t you take a nap, beautiful. Tonight, we will be home and sleeping.” Tate suggests, kissing my cheek gently and running his fingers through my hair.

“Okay,” I yawn out, closing my eyes. Doctor Rex did put me on bed rest, and I plan to get as much sleep as I can while tending to Julia.