Chapter 297 Golden Hour

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The photographer called everyone together for the group shot. It took forever to get everyone in place.

Orion kept running off. Yardley was too busy staring at Nancy to notice.

Alpha Dominic had to grab the kid and drag him back.

"Orion. Stand here. Still. For five seconds."

"I am standing."

"You are squirming."

"This is my standing squirm."

Alpha Dominic looked at Elara. "I am not ready for kids."

"Too late."

Alpha Hunter sat in the middle because he was the oldest and that was just how things worked.

Elizabeth sat next to him.

The rest of them crowded around. No real arrangement. Just wherever people ended up.

The photographer snapped a few shots. Orion lasted about four seconds before he started making faces.

"Can we wrap this up?" Alpha Dominic asked. "I want some shots with Elara before the sun goes down."

No one objected. Everyone was getting tired anyway. Elizabeth’s smile was starting to fade. Alpha Hunter’s back was not as straight as it was an hour ago.

Alpha Dominic took Elara’s hand and led her to the middle of the lawn. No announcement. No speech. Just walked her out there like it was obvious.

The light was good. Golden hour. The kind of light people paid good money for.

Alpha Dominic wrapped his arms around her from behind. His chin rested on her shoulder. His hands settled on her belly.

The photographer focused on their hands. The shutter clicked.

"You think the kids are gonna look like me or you?" Alpha Dominic asked.

"Hopefully me."

"Ouch."

"I am kidding. You are handsome. But if your son comes out with your resting face, he is going to scare the other pups."

"He is going to be an Alpha. He is supposed to scare other pups."

"He is not even born yet and you already want him to be scary."

"Scary is good. Scary means safe."

Elara laughed. She leaned back into him. The sun was warm. His arms were warm. Everything felt warm.

"You are thinking too loud," he murmured.

"I am not thinking at all."

"Liar."

He kissed her ear. Then he looked up at the photographer. "Hey. Make sure you got that last shot. That was the one."

--

After the shoot, everyone gathered around the table on the patio.

Someone had brought out lemonade and snacks. Orion was chasing a butterfly.

The adults were winding down.

Alpha Dominic sat next to Elara, one hand resting on her knee under the table. He had not taken his eyes off her since they finished shooting.

"So," Alpha Hunter said, leaning back in his chair. "You got names yet for those twins of yours?"

Alpha Dominic looked at Elara. She shrugged. "We have some ideas. Nothing set in stone."

"Just do not name him after me," Alpha Hunter said. "One Hunter in the family is enough."

"What about naming him after you but adding a ’junior’? Hunter Wolfe Jr."

"Do not you dare."

Alpha Dominic grinned. "Too late. Already wrote it down."

Elara smacked his arm. "We are not naming our daughter ’junior.’ That is so basic."

"Fine. You pick then."

"I like Caleb. And for the girl, Hailey."

Alpha Dominic tested the names in his head. "Caleb Wolfe. Hailey Wolfe."

He nodded. "Yeah. Those work."

That night, Alpha Dominic lay on the bed with his head on Elara’s belly.

It was becoming a habit. He claimed he could hear them.

"Hey, Caleb. Hailey. It is your dad." His voice was low. Soft. "You do not have to do anything yet. Just keep growing. Eat whatever your mom eats. Do not kick her too hard."

Elara ran her fingers through his hair. "They cannot hear you yet."

"They can. I read about it. Caleb probably thinks I sound cool already."

"Caleb is the size of a lime. He does not think anything."

"He thinks I sound cool. I am his dad. I know these things."

Elara laughed. "You are ridiculous."

"Ridiculous and right." He kissed her belly. "Alright, kids. Bedtime. Dad will talk to you tomorrow."

He shifted off her belly and pulled her close. His hand rested on her stomach as they drifted off.

--

Then the door swung open.

Elara’s grandmother stood in the doorway. Fully dressed. Wheelchair already turned toward the hallway.

"It is Nadia," Elizabeth said. "She is in bad shape. Get your shoes on. We are leaving now."

Elara sat up fast. Her heart was already pounding. "How bad?"

"I do not know. But she called me personally. She does not call unless it is serious."

Alpha Dominic was already on his feet, grabbing his jacket. "I will pull the car around. Take your time, babe."

He was gone before Elara could answer.

She looked at her grandmother. Elizabeth’s face was calm, but her hands were gripping the armrests of her chair.

"Let’s go," Elara said.

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