7
"In pup?" Jack said as they walked to the SUV "She smelt Sherline's pregnancy? Why did she think the pup was yours?"
"Not here, and keep your voice down" Ford snarled shivering as he climbed into the SUV and slammed the door, shaking with rage.
They drove out of the compound and Jack drove several miles before pulling into the park where they could see children plying in monkey bars.
They say in silence as Jack watched Ford struggle.
"Talk to me" Jack begged, "There is nothing I will not forgive, nothing I will not accept. I love you, tell me what is hurting you."
"It is not Sherline she smells" Ford said, a hitch in his words warning Jack that he was near tears.
"OK" Jack said soothingly as he felt the earth shift.
Had he been unfaithful?
Was there another she-wolf entering the den with Ford's pup in her belly? He considered that event and told himself that he would love her and the child she would give them.
This decided, he reached out and smiled, "Baby? Is it your child? Are you bringing a child to the table? Because I am all for it, I would love your baby."
"Really?" Ford's face crumbled and he was across the seats and in Jack's lap as he sobbed, clawing at him for comfort and Jack held him as he tried to calm his heartbeat.
"It is a rarity" Ford sobbed, "Not in over five generations, we thought it was bred out of us, gods, I am so scared."
"It's OK" Jack soothed, trying to keep up, "I'm right here, it's OK. I'll hold on tight and we'll just breathe for a while, yeah?"
Ford huffed with laugher even as he cried and curled in Jacks' lap like a child, sighed and whimpered as he was nuzzling in. "You are not mad?"
"No" Jack whispered, "A child is a blessing, no matter how we get it, it will be ours."
"Of course it will be" Ford huffed, "You are the only lover I have given myself to, allowed seed in from."
Jack's hand stopped rubbing circles as he processed the strange statement as it all fell into place along with Jack's stomach into his boots.
"Ford?"
"Hmmm?"
"Are you … I mean … are you in pup?"
Ford's silent nod of confirmation made the world swirl away and the SUV explode away into space.
There was just the two of them, holding on in the void, but it was full of light, not darkness and Jack held Ford tightly as he squeezed his eyes shut.
Gradually the shock wore off and Jack could breathe, opening his eyes to see children still playing in the monkey bars.
"Wow" Jack whispered.
"This will make me fragile, weak" Ford whispered.
"You mean a power play for your pack might happen?" Jack realized why the pack was being cloistered.
"Yes, when they smell it, when they realize my pack will close ranks and protect me but those who might seek to overthrow me might challenge me" Ford sighed, "It is bad form, but I am not a Were, after all."
"Let them come" Jack said as he tightened his hold on his beloved, "I will cut them down for even suggesting they are worthy."
"Oh Cariad, just hold me. I'm cold" Ford whispered, "You are all I need."
"And I am right here" Jack assured him as his grin widened.
His hand went to the taught stomach of his mate as he reveled in the idea of a piece of him inside this lovely creature in his arms.
What a lovely way to say 'I love you'.