His Guardian (MxM)

Chapter 29

^Ben's ring!^

Jackson

When it was early in the morning, I blinked my eyes open to see Ben holding his hand up, admiring his ring. I grinned as yesterday's memories flooded into my mind. Holding my mate close, I kissed his head. He gasped as he realized I was awake, and looked up at me.

"Good morning, fiancé," he whispered, making me smile.

"Good morning, baby," I mumbled. After last night, we knew it was too cold to fall asleep nude as we typically would, so Ben wore pajama pants, and a shirt of mine, while I wore the same. I suppose my scent comforted him, and that was the reason he liked wearing my clothes from time to time. It certainly wasn't for practicality, as my clothes practically swallowed my mate whole.

Ben was anxious to get back home, to show off his new engagement ring. So, we wasted no time getting dressed, and packing everything up. During our hike home, Ben couldn't keep his eyes off of the ring; causing me to gently guide him a few times to keep him from tripping over the occasional obvious root or boulder. He was also babbling excitedly about the idea of a wedding, being married, and starting a family. My smile barely faded watching him. I was also brimming with excitement, but Ben's happiness meant so much to me.

As we neared our home, it seemed quiet. When we walked inside, no one was around, to my surprise. We both shed our packs, and coats.

"Where is everyone?" Ben spoke my thoughts aloud, as we didn't even hear anyone in the distance. Our confusion was soon replaced with terror as a blood curdling scream erupted from the opposite side of the house. We looked at each other with wide eyes, both recognizing the voice.

"Beth!" Ben exclaimed before bolting in the direction the scream came from, my steps right behind him. It was coming from the guest wing; Joseph and Eleanor's wing. We ran with urgency as I prayed Beth was alright. I'm sure Ben's thoughts mirrored my own.

As we burst through the doors of the guest wing, we were met with a wide eyed Liam.

"Where the hell have you been?" his question was more directed toward me.

"Is Beth okay?" I asked.

"She's in labor! Has been for hours," he told us.

"Why didn't you call!?" I raised my voice at my Beta. He was quick to retort.

"We tried! The fucking geomagnetic storm interrupted cell service, you dumbass!" Shit. I hadn't even taken that possibility into consideration.

"Where is she?" Ben asked urgently. Liam pointed in the direction the next scream came from. Ben ran past Liam, to Beth. I was right behind him. As we entered the room, I saw Luca standing next to Beth, her only comfort, as Joseph and Eleanor worked away to prepare for the birth. Luca stepped back as Ben and I approached. With Ben on one side, and I on the other, we held Beth's hands. Her face was flushed, and she was covered in a thin sheen of sweat. I wanted to take her pain away.

"Ben, Jackson!"  she exclaimed with relief. Ben leaned forward and brushed her hair back.

"We're here," he whispered in a soothing tone.

"You're okay, we've got you," I told her. I looked up to Joseph who seemed to be checking the dilation. He met my gaze.

"We're almost there. It's just about time to start pushing," the doctor announced. Beth seemed to panic at his words.

"Hey. You can do this. We're right here with you, we're not going anywhere," I assured her. She seemed to calm just slightly.

"Alright, Beth. Let's deliver this baby," Joseph said as he sat on a stool, in position to deliver the child. "On three, I need you to push, okay? One, two, three!" Beth squeezed my hand with all of her strength while she screamed out in agony from the first push. Eleanor counted down from ten, and told Beth to rest when she got to one. Beth breathed heavily as she took a very short break from pushing.

"Okay, again! One, two, three!" Joseph yelled over the chaos, as Beth gritted her teeth and raised her head while she exerted herself. Once Eleanor got to one, Beth's head fell to the bed as she gasped for air. "He's coming! We just need a few more!" Joseph told us. Ben was brushing her strands of hair that had fallen in her face while I looked down at her.

"You're doing so good, Beth," I encouraged her while tears fell down her face. At Joseph's prompt, she pushed for ten long seconds more, squeezing my hand even harder now.

"Just one more!" Joseph told us. "One, two, three!" Beth leaned forward with a guttural scream, that was soon followed by the sweet, sweet sound we had been waiting for. The baby's cry.

I smiled as I looked up to see the baby being handed to Eleanor who quickly cleaned him and placed him on Beth's chest. She smiled and cried while she held the baby close. Ben and I watched in awe.

"Mason," she said sleepily while looking at Ben and I. "Mason Anthony."

I was surprised as she spoke my middle name. She wanted him to have the same middle name as his father. I looked over at Ben who was looking at me with wide, tear brimmed eyes.

"Mason Anthony." I repeated, smiling down at the little guy.

"Alpha, Luna, we need you to step out with the baby. We need to stop this bleeding, it should have stopped by now," Joseph announced, and Eleanor stepped in and handed the baby to me, ushering Ben and I out of the room.

"Don't worry, we'll take care of her," she told us before shutting the door. I looked down at the baby in my arms. His eyes were beginning to close, and his cries had quieted. He seemed to be comfortable in my arms. Ben smiled while he looked down at him.

"He's so perfect, Jackson," he whispered while smiling down at Mason.

I gazed down at the child in my arms. He had opened his eyes more now, gazing directly into my soul. It took my breath away. His eyes were a stunning grey that rivaled my own. I was suddenly overflowing with this overwhelming feeling I couldn't describe. I had only held him for minutes, and I knew I would give my life for my child. I caressed the soft tuft of hair atop his head as a tear came to my eye.

I love him. I love this child with everything in me. It was different from the love I felt for Ben, but no less powerful. I knew in that moment that I would do everything in my power to give my son the best life I can possibly give him. I didn't want to burden him with the responsibility of becoming Alpha. I wouldn't pressure him, or abuse him the way my father did to me. He would never feel the dreaded pheromone I was capable of as Alpha; the one my father had used against me so many times. I couldn't even fathom it. This precious child would be safe, and loved. I was sure of it.

Mason Anthony. My son.