Page 62 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Sam

It was entirely too early when Ollie bounded into the master bedroom and bounced on Sam and Vaughn’s bed. “Sam. Sam. Sam!”

Vaughn had sent him on to bed after he got Henry settled again, but Sam hadn’t really been able to sleep until Vaughn climbed into bed beside him. He’d heard Vaughn and Ben’s rumbling voices from the kitchen for a long time. Vaughn pulled him close once he got into bed and hadn’t said a word. He didn’t have to. Ben’s heartbreak was theirs.

“Morning, Ollie.”

“Wake up, sleepyhead! Ben said he was too tired, and he said I could color for a while, but he wouldn’t wake up. And Henry is still resting too, ‘cause he said he had a tummy ache last night so he needs to sleep. And Natasha and Emily are awake, and Jack is coloring, but I didn’t want to color, I wanted Sam!”

“You’ve got me.”

Ollie bounced onto Sam’s stomach before flopping down onto his chest. “Is Nana coming soon? I’m a growing boy.”

Sam chuckled and rubbed Ollie’s back. “I take it you’re ready for breakfast?”

Ollie nodded and nuzzled his face into Sam’s chest. “Nana says growing boys are always hungry. She says I’ll be big and strong like Alpha one day, but maybe not as big as Ben because bears are bigger than wolves and that’s just the way the Goddess made us so it’s okay for me to be wolf size and not bear size.”

“Yep. You’ll definitely be big and strong like alpha one day, though.”

Vaughn chose that moment to snag Ollie off Sam’s chest and snuggle him close. “What’s this about my little cub wanting to be big and strong?”

He tickled Ollie’s ribs, getting squeal of laughter that had Sam smiling. He slipped out of bed while Vaughn had Ollie distracted and went into the bathroom. When he got back, Vaughn and Ollie were cuddled up together.

Vaughn had his eyes closed, but he was smiling softly at Ollie who babbled at him about every little detail of what had happened since the moment he opened his eyes.

Since it wasn’t even seven, Sam went to forage for a snack for Ollie. Nana normally showed up at seven thirty to start making breakfast, but Ollie wouldn’t manage to wait that long. He quickly sliced an apple, grabbed a few slices of cheddar cheese, and filled a cup with water.

Back in the bedroom, Vaughn was telling Ollie about his night at the clinic and the patient he’d helped, and they were making exciting plans for the day. Ollie desperately wanted to shift again, and Vaughn had arranged for the afternoon away from the clinic so they could all shift and have a big pack bonding experience ending in a giant cookout with as many pack members as could make it. From the amount of food Nana had been stockpiling, there were going to be a ton of them.

Ollie made grabby hands for the food the moment he noticed Sam, but Vaughn held him and let Sam climb back onto the bed before he released his hold on the squirmy little boy. Ollie crawled over to Sam and looked at the food hungrily.

“I like cheese and apples,” Ollie said with a grin.

“I know you do,” Sam said. “Remember the rule?”

Ollie nodded, his hair flopping into his face. “Go slow and chew chew chew.”

Sam held out the plate and Ollie took one of the apple slices and a piece of cheese. He made a stack of them and took a bite before climbing into Sam’s lap and cuddling close.

Vaughn took the opportunity to slip into the bathroom while Ollie munched happily. Before he got back, a grumpy-looking Jack came into the room and climbed into bed beside Sam.

“What’s wrong, buddy?”

“Nothing.”

Sam rubbed his back as he curled in close. “You sure?”

“Henry said his tummy hurt.”

“Yeah. He’s okay now, though. Alpha and I helped him last night until he felt better.”

Jack looked up at him. “You did?”

“Yep. We stayed up extra late until he was able to go back to sleep.”

“Hmm.” Jack tucked his face back against Sam and began slowly rubbing his arm. Vaughn came back and sent Sam a questioning look. He shook his head so Vaughn crawled back up onto the bed and curled against Sam’s other side.

“Morning, Jack.”