On a cold winter night, when the wind was whipping against the walls and the full moon illuminated dark onyx sky, a cry woke me up.
Soon after I shot up in my sleep, Taylor quietly opened my door and I put my finger to my lips, not wanting to disturb my mate. It didn’t work though.
“Where are you going?” Brandon mumbled beside me and I shushed him.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back, go back to sleep,” I kissed his cheek and he tried to reach for me but I slipped out of bed.
Taylor talked to me in a hushed voice as she led me down to the foyer.
“We found a baby abandoned at the gates.”
“Who the heck would leave a baby at our gates in the middle of winter?” I wiped the sleep from my eyes, the crying getting louder as we got closer.
“Insane, stupid folk with no brains?” She humored me and I sighed.
When we got down to the foyer, Angela was there holding the baby in her arms. She was trying to quiet his sudden outbursts of wailing but it wasn’t working.
“Luna,” Angela said apologetically and I reached for the baby. Angela gently transferred the screaming baby into my arms.
“Careful, he’s a kicker.” She added.
The small baby was warm, instantly providing heat to my frozen skin.
“He’s so warm.” I marveled and through some miracle, the baby stopped crying. He also stopped kicking, which was a relief.
“You got him to stop.” Taylor gasped and I smiled down at the beautiful life in my arms, rubbing his back in circular motions.
“Amy, whose baby is that?” I turned to see Brandon walk over. I cuddled the baby closer in my arms, looking into his cute, tiny eyes.
“He was left at our gates.”
“Who the f-”
“Shh! I just got him to stop crying.” I interrupted quietly and he made a face.
Brandon peeked at the baby, “He is cute.” I raised an eyebrow, not expecting him to say that. Last time I checked, he didn’t really like babies.
“Here,” I started to lift the baby boy into Brandon’s arms but he shook his head.
“I’m not really good with babies,” He defended as an excuse.
“Brandon, how are you even an Alpha if you can’t hold a baby?” I challenged and he exhaled, finally reaching his arms out. I settled the baby into his arms and he looked at it in curiosity.
“See, it’s not hard.” I whispered. Brandon continued to stare at the adorably cute baby.
“He’s so small.” He said in wonder.
“Luna, you should put the baby in a crib.” Taylor suggested and I nodded, taking the baby from Brandon. He still looked at it with love.
Then an idea struck me.
“Brandon, we should keep this baby.”
He snorted, “Well, duh, we can’t just return it-”
“No, we should keep this baby.” I looked at him with wide eyes, trying to look as irresistible as possible. It made it harder for him to say no.
“Us? Parents?” I may be young but I yearned for a child to teach and guide and love.
Taylor spoke up, “I don’t see why not.”
Brandon opened his mouth but didn’t say anything.
“What should we name him?” I asked, admiring the baby’s soft skin and vivacious heart beat.
Brandon cleared his throat, finally agreeing.
“I’ve always liked the name Roan.” From Roanoke, the lost colony.
Our little flame, our little Roan, finally closed his eyes and let out a soft yawn.
“Can we name him Roan Keith?” After the brother who saved me but who would never wake.
“Of course,” Brandon kissed my forehead and then little Roan’s. I smiled up at him and then to my new child.
He was now our future.