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“I feel terrible.” Becky frowned at Dawn. “You should've told Sloan you had plans. We could've waited until tomorrow.”

“Don't you dare feel bad. I'm almost as excited as you two are.” Dawn looked from Becky to Sloan. “Besides, it seems me having a dating life is becoming an issue around here.”

Sloan cocked an eyebrow, liking the fact that Dawn had no problem speaking her mind. He respected that about her, but there were certain things he couldn't afford to be easygoing about. Human women becoming pregnant by vampires was something that couldn't get out. There were too many sick bastards who would do anything to find out how it was possible, and if they started digging, it could lead them straight to Amara and Joey. Their golden blood already made them targets, and Sloan wasn't about to let anyone put them or the mates in even more danger. He trusted Dawn, but that didn't mean he trusted the people she allowed into her life.

“It's not you dating that's the problem. It's who you're dating,” Sloan informed her. “You know what could happen if information about us gets into the wrong hands. I've put a lot of trust in you, Dawn, and I expect you to be discreet. But even being careful doesn't mean someone can't use you to get to us.”

He wasn't accusing her of anything, and he hoped she understood that. Dawn had proven herself more than once, giving up a hell of a lot to help the women under their protection. But trusting her and trusting some man he'd never met were two entirely different things. He couldn't control who might come looking for answers, but he'd be damned if he made it easy for them to find any.

“And I don't take that trust for granted.” Dawn held his gaze, clearly not intimidated by his warning. “Now, enough about me. This is about you three. So, any bets on what you're having?”

“Well, I think it's a girl,” Becky replied with a smile. “Although, after listening to Sloan on the way here, I'm starting to think a boy might be safer for everyone involved.”

Sloan snorted, knowing exactly what his mate was referring to. “I'm still sticking with what I said.”

“And what exactly did you say?” Dawn asked as she pulled the ultrasound machine closer to the table.

“That if we have a girl, she isn't dating until she's thirty.” Becky gave Sloan a look that told him she still wasn't happy about that particular conversation.

Dawn laughed as she reached for the gel. “Thirty? Well, good luck with that. Something tells me you're going to have your hands full if you have a daughter.”

“See?” Becky pointed toward Dawn. “Even she knows.”

Sloan just grinned, refusing to back down. He knew damn well Becky was right about one thing, though. If they had a little girl, she'd probably have him wrapped around her tiny finger before she could even walk.

“Okay, let's see what we've got going on in here.” Dawn lifted Becky's shirt enough to expose her rounded belly before spreading some gel across it. “This might be a little cold.”

Becky jumped slightly when the gel touched her skin, making Sloan chuckle. His amusement faded when Dawn placed the transducer against her stomach and an image appeared on the screen. He'd seen their baby during previous ultrasounds, but it still amazed the hell out of him that the little life growing inside his mate was actually theirs.

“There we go.” Dawn adjusted the image, studying the screen with a smile. “Someone's being cooperative today.”

Sloan leaned closer, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. He could make out the baby's head and what appeared to be an arm, but the rest was a mystery. How Dawn could tell one thing from another was beyond him.

“Everything look okay?” Sloan asked, unable to keep the concern out of his voice.

“So far, everything I'm seeing looks great.” Dawn moved the transducer slightly, taking a few measurements before pointing toward the screen. “There's the heartbeat.”

The rapid, steady sound filled the room, and Sloan felt Becky's fingers tighten around his. He'd heard that heartbeat before, but it never failed to get to him. After all the death he'd witnessed over the years, there was something pretty damn amazing about hearing the life he and Becky had created.

Becky looked up at him, her eyes shining. Sloan bent down and kissed her forehead, knowing she understood exactly what he was feeling without him having to say a word.

“Okay, you two ready to find out?” Dawn asked after finishing the measurements she needed.

“Absolutely.” Becky squeezed his hand again.

“Been ready.” Sloan kept his eyes on the screen, even though he still didn't have a fucking clue what he was looking at.

Dawn chuckled as she shifted the transducer. “Well, let's hope this little one doesn't decide to be shy all of a sudden.”

For a few moments, Sloan watched Dawn study the screen, wondering what the hell she was seeing that he wasn't. Becky was practically holding her breath beside him, and he was about to tell her to relax when Dawn smiled.

“Well, I don't think we're going to have any trouble figuring this out.”

Becky practically came off the table. “What? What is it?”

Dawn turned the screen slightly so they could both see better. “Congratulations, you two. You're having a beautiful little boy.”

For a moment, Sloan didn't move. He'd heard Dawn clearly, but something about those words hit him harder than he'd expected. A boy. His son. He'd spent more years than he cared to count leading Warriors, fighting battles, and making decisions that meant life or death for the men who followed him. He'd faced things that would bring most men to their knees without so much as blinking an eye. Yet standing here looking at a grainy black-and-white image of his unborn son, he found himself struggling to say a damn word.