Chapter 41: Surprise
*****Shawn’s perspective*****
I was in so much pain and could not move my legs or arms. One of the Pale Moon wolves jumped me from behind and broke my back. Billy saw it happen. He rushed over, killed the wolf, and picked me up off the ground. I was covered in blood and guts, but he didn’t seem to mind. He ran me all the way to the estate. I didn’t want Strix to know how bad I was hurt, so I told him to make sure no one told her it was me. Once in the house, he took me to the basement. He said he could repair my spine and I would heal just fine. I trusted him.
When I awoke from surgery, I was still in pain but not as much. I could tell I was healing quickly, in part because Taylor was using a healing spell on me. I was able to move again so I knew the surgery was a success. Taylor reprimanded me and told me not to move yet. I was just glad it was over.
*****Strix’s perspective*****
After I was allowed to go downstairs again, I found out Shawn was the wolf who had been seriously injured. I should have known. BIlly wouldn’t have just brought back any wolf. But he fixed Shawn up so I couldn’t stay mad. Taylor and I stayed with Shawn as the others went to help with cleaning up and repairs. Shawn woke up and tried to move but Taylor was on him.
“Don’t move yet, you’re not fully healed,” Taylor admonished him.
“At least I can move now.” Shawn groaned.
“Don’t ever scare me like that again,” I complained.
“I won’t, not on purpose anyway,” Shawn replied. “I love you, too.”
“I didn’t say that,” I said leaning closer to his face. Then I whispered, “I love you,” in his ear.
I went to make some food while Taylor did another round of healing spells. A muscle spasm rippled through me as I reached the top of the stairs. It hurt but I ignored it. Probably just the baby kicking. I went into the kitchen and grabbed some ground beef out of the freezer. I was going to make some burgers for everyone, to celebrate our victory. I also grabbed hot dogs and steaks. I beat the ground beef into submission and then mixed in the seasoning, onions, and peppers. I then grabbed handfuls and turned the balls into patties. I took everything outside and started up the grills. Then I went back in to check on Shawn.
*****Taylor’s perspective*****
When Strix came in, I noticed she winced a little. Had she hurt herself, she didn’t say anything. Or was it seeing her mate injured that caused her to wince?
“I got some food going on the grills,” she stated.
“I can smell it already,” Shawn said.
“Really, I don’t smell anything,” I stated.
“That’s because you have human senses.” Shawn said.
“Figures.” I replied.
Strix went back upstairs to flip everything on the grills. I saw her stumble a little on her way up. On her way back down, it happened again. I caught her before she could fall.
“Are you alright,” Shawn asked before I could.
“I’m fine, the baby is getting stronger. He keeps kicking me and I stumble. That’s it.” She said.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“Don’t worry about me, If something happened, Strix, tell us,” Shawn pleaded.
“It’s nothing guys, just the baby kicking me around,” She laughed.
We let it go. Strix joked about how the baby would be a handful. Shawn did as well. I laughed with them. When everyone got back, the food was done. Strix played hostess and made sure everyone got some food. I brought out some drinks. Shawn was healed enough that he could come out as well. I told him no heavy lifting for a while. The celebration was in full swing. I kept an eye on Strix, she was acting a little weird, even for her. Every once in a while I would notice her wincing or stumbling, Shawn always there to catch her. Then I heard Shawn ask her if she was okay. I noticed then that her breathing was different.
“I think I’m in labor,” she panted.
“Billy, we need the suite you set up.” Shawn yelled.
“Is it time!?” Billy sounded euphoric.
Everyone cleared a path so Shawn could escort Strix back inside. Phoenix and I followed behind Billy.
After just a few hours, on February thirteenth, tiny baby Enoch Josiah was born. Strix dropped thirty pounds instantly. EJ weighed five pounds six ounces and was twenty-two inches long. He was the cutest, tiniest, little thing. After Strix fed him, I took EJ and cleaned him up. I dressed him in a cute little onesie and handed him back to mom, who then handed him to Shawn. I guess he hadn’t held his son yet, so good call on Strix’s part.
They all looked so happy. I, however, remembered the prophecy. The birth of the first vampire-lycan hybrid will be the key to unlocking the spell binding Khenzu to his prison. I was happy for them, but I was weary of the coming threat. Then I saw it, on baby EJ’s neck, a tiny crown. I told Shawn and he looked and saw it as well. The room grew quiet for a moment.
“Strix, our son is the new King or Ruler of All!” Shawn stated excitedly.
“OMG, I can’t believe it.” She shouted.
“So it’s true then, Khenzu has returned,” I said solemnly.
“I guess he has. The time for playing has passed, we must train for the coming war.” As Phoenix said this, we watched as EJ began to grow.
EJ grew to nine months in a matter of hours, the snaps on the onesie had come undone. At this rate, he could be full grown in nine days. Shawn took the onesie off of him. He put a little pair of sweatpants and a hoodie on EJ. As EJ continued to grow, one of us would change him. We also started teaching him. Around the time he started to talk, his growth slowed down. He looked about two years old now, even though he was only a day and a half old. We were so glad his aging slowed down, he was changing so fast. At any rate, this kid would definitely need to be home schooled. He did sleep most of the time, which was when he grew the most. EJ kept on our toes when he was awake. He would run around and climb on everything. I freaked out a lot, but Shawn and Strix said he is probably the most durable baby in the world and I shouldn’t worry too much.
With the birth of EJ, we now had two kings among us. Phoenix had taken the throne and was constantly back and forth from Drakmore. EJ would soon take his place on the council. Although I thought he was too young, the others said it was tradition. The Ruler of All would take his or her place when he or she reached five years of age, or in EJ’s case about a week. I guess children really are our future.