Baby System: My Mates Can Read my Mind?

"I didn’t do such a thing," Knox grunted, his rough voice defensive.

Caius ignored the weak lie. He stepped closer to the dining table. The dark wood separated them, but the tension in the room was thick. The Serpent Alpha leaned his hip against the table edge and crossed his pale arms over his dark tunic. His glowing golden eyes locked onto the Southern King’s face.

"Are you thinking about Rue?" Caius asked plainly.

Knox tossed a sharp glare at Caius. He hated feeling exposed. He opened his mouth, ready to shoot back a fast string of insults. He wanted to tell the snake to mind his own business. He wanted to act like the tough warlord everyone expected him to be. He had a reputation to uphold. He was the fierce panther of the South, a man who crushed rebellions and ruled wild swamps.

But Caius stopped him right there.

"Rue said you could pick a name for the little one," Caius stated smoothly. He watched the anger drain right out of the panther’s face. "She told me she wouldn’t mind. She is leaving the choice to you."

Knox went tongue-tied. His jaw dropped slightly. The insults vanished from his brain. He stared at the pale man across the table, blinking his golden eyes in shock. Then, he went silent again. He looked back down at the rough wooden planks. His scarred hands twitched.

The main hall was very quiet. The fire in the stone hearth burned down to a pile of glowing orange coals. The shadows stretched long and dark across the floorboards. The night outside the thick windows offered no sound. Everyone in the new stone house was asleep, recovering from the long, stressful day of the birth. Only these two men remained awake in the dim light.

Knox rubbed his face with both of his hands. He let out a long, slow breath that sounded like a sad sigh. The tough warrior act fell away, leaving a very tired, very worried man sitting in the dark room. He looked at his own thick, callused fingers. These hands were built for war. They were meant to hold sharp weapons, tear through enemy lines, and break bones. They were not meant to hold a fragile, pale newborn girl.

Knox then went ahead to ask, "Do you think Rue loves me?"

It was time for Caius to toss Knox a sharp glare. The Serpent Alpha looked at the panther like he had just grown a second head. The question was ridiculous.

"Where is that coming from?" Caius asked, genuinely baffled by the sudden insecurity.

"Answer the damn question, Caius," Knox snapped back, his voice cracking just a bit. He didn’t want a logical debate. He wanted an answer.

Caius groaned. He pinched the bridge of his pale nose with two fingers. Dealing with the panther’s loud, messy feelings was always exhausting for him. He preferred quiet logic and cool distance. But tonight was different. Tonight changed all of them.

"Yes, she loves you so much," Caius answered clearly, keeping his tone very steady. "She just birthed your child. She smiles every time you walk into a room. She trusts you to protect her. Of course she loves you."

Knox didn’t look comforted. He slumped forward in his wooden chair, resting his elbows on the table.

"I’m scared I’m not doing my job properly," Knox admitted. The words spilled out of him in a fast, desperate rush. "I feel like I’m not being a good husband. She was in so much pain today, and I just sat there. I watched her cry, and I couldn’t fix it. I couldn’t fight the pain for her. All my strength meant nothing. I’m scared I won’t be a good father too."

The raw confession hung in the warm air. Knox was a proud alpha. Admitting fear was against his nature. But the tiny girl sleeping in the other room terrified him more than any rival army ever could. He was terrified he would break her. He was terrified he would ruin the soft, beautiful family Rue was trying to build. He compared himself to the others. Axel always knew how to make her laugh. Drax provided a steady, quiet shelter. Caius always knew how to calm her fever. Knox just felt too loud, too rough, and too dangerous.

Caius listened in silence. He didn’t mock the panther. He didn’t roll his eyes or offer a cold remark. He looked at Knox and saw a mirror of his own past fears.

"I thought the exact same way at first," Caius told him quietly.

Knox looked up, surprised by the admission.

"When I found her in that dark cave with Theron," Caius continued, his voice dropping to a soft murmur, "I felt useless. I didn’t know how to be a gentle father. I am a creature of ice. I thought I would freeze them both. I thought my cold nature would drive her away. The responsibility felt like a mountain sitting on my chest."

Caius paused. He looked toward the dark hallway leading to the bedrooms.

"But she doesn’t expect us to be perfect," Caius said, turning his golden eyes back to the panther. "She just expects us to be there. She trusts you with her life, Knox. You kept her safe when she was weak. You built this home for her. You will learn how to hold the baby without breaking her. I promise you, you will be a good father."

The words hit Knox right in the heart. The tight, painful knot in his chest began to loosen. He took a deep breath, letting the rare comfort sink into his bones. He wanted to say thank you. He wanted to tell the snake that his words actually helped.

But without waiting for Knox to answer, Caius walked out blankly.

The Serpent Alpha turned his back and glided away. His face returned to its smooth, unreadable mask. He didn’t like lingering on soft emotions. He shared his piece, offered his wisdom, and decided his job was done. He headed for the front door to check the perimeter of the yard.

Knox sat at the table for a few seconds. He blinked his eyes, processing the sudden exit.

When Knox noticed Caius was actually gone, he jumped up from his wooden chair. The chair legs scraped loudly against the stone floor. He chased after him down the dim hallway, his boots thumping a fast rhythm.

"Come on, don’t leave me standing here?!" Knox called out in a loud whisper.

Knox let out a low, amused huff and chased after the snake.

Drax walked into the room, and saw them leave.

The Dragon King stepped out from the shadows near the kitchen. He held a small wooden cup of water. He stood quietly in the archway, his dark eyes tracking the panther’s retreating back. He heard the entire conversation. He heard the fear, the comfort, and the awkward escape.

Drax looked at the bedroom door at the end of the hall, where Rue and the new baby were sleeping safely together. The corners of his sharp mouth lifted into a soft, genuine expression.

He smiled, "At least they love you."