Luca's POV
The first week home is chaos.
Kai cries constantly. Needs feeding every two hours. Barely sleeps.
I'm exhausted. Rian's exhausted. But we're also deliriously happy.
"He's hungry again," Rian observes as Kai fusses.
"Fed him an hour ago."
"Growth spurt maybe?" He takes Kai gently. "Come here, little one. Let's give papa a break."
While I prepare to feed, Rian walks with Kai, talking softly. Our son calms in his father's arms.
"You're good at that," I observe.
"He likes movement. Like his papa." Rian smiles. "Both of you like being held."
After feeding, Kai finally sleeps. We collapse on the couch, both watching him in the bassinet.
"He's so small," I whisper.
"And perfect." Rian pulls me close. "You're doing amazing, you know."
"I'm exhausted."
"You're a natural parent. Look at him—happy, healthy, loved." He kisses my temple. "That's all you."
"That's us," I correct. "We're doing this together."
"Together," he agrees.
That night, taking shifts sleeping while the other watches Kai, I realize something.
This is hard. Exhausting. Overwhelming.
And absolutely perfect.
"I love him so much it hurts," I tell Rian during a 3 AM feeding.
"I know. Me too." He watches us from the doorway. "Never knew I could love anyone more than you. Then he came along."
"Jealous?" I tease.
"Never. Grateful." He sits beside us. "You gave me everything, Luca. Mate, child, family, purpose. Everything."
Kai finishes eating, and Rian burps him expertly.
"Look at you. Professional dad already."
"Been practicing on pack pups for years." He cradles Kai. "But this is different. This is our son."
We put Kai back to sleep, finally crawling into bed ourselves.
"One week down," I say.
"Lifetime to go." Rian pulls me close. "Can't wait for every moment."
"Even the exhausting ones?"
"Especially those. Means he's here. Real. Ours."
The next morning, Sara visits with gifts—clothes, toys, offers to babysit.
"He's beautiful," she coos, holding Kai carefully. "Perfect little Luna."
"Future Alpha," Rian corrects, beaming with pride.
"Future both," I say. "He can be anything he wants."
Kai opens his golden eyes, looking at Sara. Doesn't cry—just studies her curiously.
"Smart boy. Already assessing pack members." Sara laughs. "He's going to be trouble."
"Takes after both parents," Rian says, grinning.
That evening, just us again, we give Kai his first bath. He screams the entire time.
"He hates water," I observe.
"He'll learn to love it." Rian's gentle despite Kai's protests. "Just like his papa learned to love me."
"I didn't hate you that much."
"You tried to escape. Multiple times."
"And now look at us. Married with a baby." I kiss his shoulder. "Best kidnapping ever."
"Best everything ever," he corrects, lifting clean Kai. "Right, little one? We're the best family."
Kai yawns, falling asleep instantly.
"That's agreement," Rian declares.
I laugh. "If you say so."