The Modern Witch's Guide to Faking It With a Werewolf

Max

My family crowded around the bed, fussing over Evelyn, and passing around the smallest, most perfect bundle I'd ever seen.

Nate looked wrecked, in the best possible way.

And Dallas?

She was standing behind me, arms crossed, watching quietly.

I caught the way her body softened, the way her breath hitched slightly when she saw the baby for the first time.

She didn't even realize she was doing it.

I leaned against the doorway, just taking in this perfect moment.

When she finally looked at me, her brows furrowed. "What?"

I couldn't help but grin.

"You sure about April?"

Her whole body went rigid.

"Max—I panicked— I was trying to lighten the mood."

I pushed off the doorframe, closing the space between us.

"You said it," I reminded her, low and smug. "Out loud. To my mother. Which means this? This is happening, sweetheart."

Her eyes widened in horror. "We are not actually doing this."

I shrugged. "Try telling that to my mom."

She swallowed, looking like she might actually pass out.

I dragged a hand along my jaw, feeling the stubble there. "So, what's the theme? You a spring flowers kind of girl?"

Her breath caught.

I leaned in.

Close enough that she had to tilt her head just slightly to meet my gaze.

"Either way," I murmured, voice dropping, "you're gonna look real pretty walking down that aisle."

Dallas sputtered.

Actually sputtered.

And it was the single greatest thing I'd ever seen.

I straightened, patting her shoulder like this wasn't up for debate.

"Come on," I smirked. "Let's go meet our nephew."

Mom looked at me and beamed.  "It's Max's turn. I'm sure he'll need the practice."

I watched in horror as she gave Dallas a pointed look. 

Nate arched a brow, but didn't hesitate. He stood, shifting carefully, gently transferring his entire world into my hands.

And just like that—

I was holding my nephew.

He let out a tiny sigh, his whole body settling a little heavier into my hands.

I didn't move.

Didn't breathe.

Because fuck, he was small.

So impossibly fragile.

And suddenly, everything around me—the voices, the warmth of my family, the weight of Dallas's stare—faded into nothing.

There was only him.

Only this moment.

I exhaled slowly, adjusting my grip, my fingers cradling the back of his head the way I'd seen Evelyn do.

It felt... natural.

Too natural.

I swallowed hard, my throat tightening with something I didn't have a name for.

And then—

"You're a natural," Mom murmured, her voice softer than usual.

I blinked, looking up, and sure enough—all eyes were on me.

Dallas. Watching.

My mom, my aunts, my entire family—watching.

And Nate?

He was grinning like a smug bastard.

I scowled. "Don't start."

"Wasn't gonna say a word," he drawled, but his eyes said plenty.

Mom sighed happily. "You'll be next, you know."

My head snapped up.

She waved a hand dismissively. "It's just how it goes, Max. You and Dallas—"

I groaned. Loudly. "Can we not-."

"For anyone who hasn't heard— Dallas and Max are having their mating ceremony this April," Aunt Sarah chimed in, grinning.

Dallas, to her credit, didn't even utter a sound as my family devoured the news. 

She just stood there, lips pressed together, feigning a calm that almost could have fooled me.

I turned my glare on her.

She tilted her head, eyes shining with fake composure.

But before I could call her out, my nephew made a small noise—half yawn, half whimper—and immediately, the world tilted again.

I looked back down, my chest tightening as the tiny, warm weight in my hands shifted slightly, stretching.

And that's when it hit me.

The undeniable, inescapable truth of it all.

I wanted this with Dallas. With my mate.