Part Twenty Four

Zak's P.O.V

I woke to my baby crying. The room was pitch black and it took me a minute to find the switch on

The lamp. When it flickered to life I hissed as the sudden brightness stung my eyes. Nova mumbled

Something in his sleep as he turned over. I shuffled out of bed, still a little sore, and made my way

Over to my sons crib.

'Come here baby.' I whispered as I picked a screaming Kasper up, cradling him in my arms.

I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. I tried to calm my screaming child while I made him

a Bottle. It was hard with him squirming about.

'Come on Kasper, sshhh.' I bounced on the spot, gently patting his back as I shushed him. At this

Rate the whole house was going to be woken up.

'Zak, you alright buddy?' I jumped as Johns voice spoke out.

'I-I'm really sorry. H-he won't calm down and I can't make a bottle because he won't stop

Squirming.' Tears brimmed and threatened to spill.

'Its okay son, here, let me hold him while you make his bottle.' He smiled softly as he took a still

Screaming Kasper from me and snuggled him into his chest.

Quickly I prepared his bottle and another two that could be heated up later. I turned back to John

And smiled. Kasper had calmed down a little, but was still sobbing. John rocked the tiny baby in

His arms, talking softly to him.

'How'd you get him to calm down?' I whined.

John chuckled softly and held out his hand for the bottle, which I gave him. 'Ive had enough

Practice.' He smiled as he watched Kasper greedily guzzling down the warm milk. 'Don't worry

You'll get used to it.' He smiled at me, noticing my frustrated expression.

'If you say so.' I grumbled and he chuckled.

He sat down at the table, sitting Kasper on his knee while he burped my little son.

'Im not good at any of this.' I ran my fingers through my wild hair, 'Nova seems unfazed by

Anything, but if he so much as sneezes and coughs it sends me into panic mode. I can't even get

Him to calm down when he cries.' Tears fall over my cheeks and John looks at me with gentle eyes.

'Don't worry Zak. It's a learning experience, and a challenging one at that.' He handed me the now

Empty bottle, which I put in the sink and handed Kasper back to me. 'You'll learn how to deal with

His little spats as time goes on and it's perfectly natural to worry about him. And trust me, Nova

Isn't as unaffected as you think he is. He puts on a brave face for your benefit. It worries him when

He sees you flustered and panicked.' John ruffles my hair before hugging me reassuringly. He pulls

Back and pats my shoulder, 'come on, off to bed.' He smiled and led the way back through the dark

House.

'Thank you for helping me. Sorry if we woke you.' I smiled at my alpha and he ruffled my hair

Again.

'Anytime kiddo.' He headed back to his own room and I headed into mine.

Kasper was sound asleep, thankfully, so I gently tucked him into his cot and crawled back in next

To Nova.

'Everything alright?' He mumbled sleepily.

'Yeah.' I switched the lamp off and snuggled back into my mates side. I pecked him gently on the

Cheek and sighed happily.

The morning light woke me up. I grumbled as I shifted under the nice warm covers. 'Nova,' I said.

No reply. Puzzled I sat up and looked round a empty bedroom. A little panicked I leapt out of bed

And ran to Kasper's cot. He wasn't in there. Bursting through the room, I ran downstairs and

Straight into the kitchen.

'Zak? What's wrong?' Amanda looked over at me confused.

I looked at the table and sure enough Nova was sat with Kasper in his lap. John and Nathan were

Also there, each of them looking puzzled.

My knees gave out and I crumpled to the floor, sobs shaking my body. I don't know why, I just had

A very uneasy feeling.

'Zak, bud, what's wrong?' Nathan gathered me in his arms and sat me on his lap at the table,

Earning a growl from Nova. 'Oh hush, you've got Kasper on your lap, you can't have both.' He

Growled back. 'Now, tell uncle Nathan what's wrong,' he cooed and we all chuckled.

'I-I don't k-know.' I sniffed, 'when I woke up to an empty room I had a really uneasy feeling and

Just panicked a bit. Sorry.' I blew my nose with the tissue Nathan handed me and snuggled into his

Warm chest.

'Aww, sweetie, don't worry, it's understandable why you'd be extra concerned when you consider

What you've had to go through.' Amanda smiled over at me and patted my shoulder. John nodded

In agreement.

I sighed. I hopped off Nathan's lap, sneakily pecking his cheek in thanks. He mock gasped, making

Me chuckled.

I turned to Nova, 'gimme my baba.' I held my arms out and wiggled my fingers.

He laughed and handed a cheerful looking Kasper to me. 'Ive got some work to do so I'll see you

Both later. Call me if you need anything.' He kissed my lips and pecked his sons head before

Leaving.

'Come on munchkin, let's get you dressed.' I tapped my nose lightly to my baby's making him

Giggle and pat my cheek with his tiny hands.

He's four months old now and has developed a lot quicker than I thought he would. Micky had

Told me it was because he was a werewolf. They develop faster than human baby's but still age at

The same rate as human ones.

'Oh yeah, I'm almost out of milk, nappies and other stuff. Mind if I go out and grab some?' I asked

John nervously.

He had been extra strict when it came to letting me leave the house, even if it was to go into the

Garden. He still felt guilty about the whole Derek situation, and, considering he still hadn't been

Found, I wasn't complaining any time soon.

He smiled, 'course, I'm free so I'll come with you.'

I smiled and thanked him before leaving to get ready.

I dressed Kasper in his new monster onesie, since he had outgrown the other one. Before

Buttoning it up I blew a raspberry on his plump little belly causing him to giggle happily. So I did

It again. I laughed at his happiness. He looked so much like Nova it was unreal. He had his golden

Eyes and his hair was a strange colour. It was a mixture of golds, reds, oranges and brown. After

I'd dressed myself I grabbed the nappy bag and put Kasper in his car seat, joining John in the car.

As we parked at the shopping centre I jumped out eagerly and went to the trunk, pulling the pram

Out and set it up.

'You've got that down to a tee.' John chuckled as he put a giggling Kasper into his pram.

'About the only thing.' I chuckled lightly and John shook his head.

'Right, what do we need?' He asked as we walked into the shopping centre.

'Erm, milk, food, wipes, nappies, some more clothes because he's growing too quick and only a

Few now fit him. I need a new changing mat, he's picked the plastic off the one at home. Some

Teething rings and gel.' I sighed as I reeled off a list that I knew I wasn't going to be able to afford.

'Wow, that's a lot.' John chuckled. He grabbed a trolley as we made our way round the shop,

Picking up the items I needed.

I was trying to limit the cost and got deals where I could and cheaper items if they were as good

As the expensive ones. John seemed to notice too.

'Zak, if you haven't got enough money I'll pay for some.' He smiled down at me but I shook my

Head.

'No, I can't keep asking that of you. You and Amanda have done too much for me already and I

Can't keep letting you pay for my child's things.' My money was the only wage, so to speak, that

Came in. Luckily we didn't have to pay rent and such as we lived in the pack house. Nova had

Sold his old place off and the money was put into a savings account for when Kasper was older.

My mother didn't know that I wasn't living on my own, so a portion of money was still being paid

Into my bank each week but the amount had been slowly decreasing as the months went by. She

Was obviously pissed when she found out I was gay.

'Zak, I know the situation with your mother and the money. I know you want to be independent

And all that, but I will not stand here and watch you struggle to buy the necessities just because

That heartless woman keeps fiddling with your money.' John growled and I flinched. 'Sorry.' He

Sighed when he realised he'd frightened me a little.

'T-thank y-you. I'm sorry for being unreasonable.' I mumbled looking at the floor.

'Zak, your not being unreasonable son. I completely understand why you feel upset. But I want

You to know that if your ever stuck or need anything, anything at all, you can rely on me and

Amanda. And I'm sure many other pack members will be more than happy to help you out.'

He tapped under my chin, gesturing for me to look up at him. His eyes were gentle as they looked

Down at me and I smiled, which he returned.

Kasper began bawling half way round the store and I left John to grab the last few items while I sat

In the cafe to give Kasper his bottle.

'Boo,' a deep, growling voice whispered in my ear.

A shiver went right the way through my body and I clutched Kasper closer to my chest. I knew that

Voice. How could I not.

'What, no hello.' He chuckled dryly as he sat down opposite me. Derek glared at me from across

The table.

I couldn't move. My legs weren't cooperating. My whole body trembled and wouldn't stop.

'I see you've given birth.' He chuckled threateningly, 'my list of targets has increased.'

I panicked. Tears burst from my eyes and I managed to scramble to my feet, bolting through the

Shop, searching in blind panic for my alpha.

'Zak!' Johns eyes grew wide with concern when he saw me hurtling towards him. I didn't stop and

Ran right into his chest, clutching Kasper tight to my chest as he screamed. John held me tight,

'Zak, what happened?' He tried to take Kasper from me but I held him tighter. I couldn't lose my

Baby. Not to him. Not to that sicko. 'Zak, you need to calm down.' Johns voice was full of worry.

I hadn't even noticed I was hyperventilating and when I did, it made it worse as I panicked even

More.

'Nova, I need you to come now. Zak,' he was on the phone as he stood rubbing circles into my back

As I trembled in fear, trying to calm my baby boy down. 'Zak, where's the pram?'

Crap. I'd left all the stuff back in the cafe. 'I-in the c-cafe.' I hiccuped.

'Ok, let's go get it. Excuse me, would it be possible for you to help me please?' John called one of

The workers over.

'Of course sir, how can I help you.' The lady smiled at us both.

'Can you take this to a checkout while I help my son grab my grand child's pram. He's left it in the

Cafe he thinks.' He said politely.

The lady smiled again, 'of course, I'll be on till 22 when your ready.' She left with the trolley.

'Now Zak, what the hell had you scared like that?' John pulled me from his chest, making me

Whimper as I left the safety of his arms. 'Tell me.' He coaxed.

'D-d-Derek,' I forced the word out. My breathing hadn't calmed at all and showed little sign that it

Would.

My alphas eyes grew wide with shock, then his gentle features turned harsh as anger took control.

I whimpered.