Baby System: My Mates Can Read my Mind?

"Seika is actually a good name. How did you think of that blackie?!" Axel slapped Knox on his shoulder once they were in the living room.

Knox swatted the white wolf’s hand away with a low, rumbling growl. The giant panther tried to look annoyed by the sudden physical contact, but a bright, proud smile kept breaking through his tough warlord facade. He rubbed the back of his neck, leaning his weight against the rough stone fireplace.

"I just looked at her face," Knox answered smoothly, puffing his broad chest out. "It came straight to me. I knew it the second she opened her eyes. Now pay up, dog. You lost the bet."

Axel let out a dramatic sigh. He reached into his leather pouch and pulled out ten shiny silver coins. He dumped them into Knox’s waiting palm. "Fine. You win this time. But only because ’Pure Flower’ actually fits her perfectly. I thought you would name her after a bloody axe or a thunderstorm."

"I have range," Knox shot back, pocketing the coins with a smug grin. The silver coins clinked loudly together, a sharp sound that made Caius turn a page in his book with a soft sigh.

Caius sat near the frosted window, reading a thick leather-bound book. The Serpent Alpha didn’t look up from the pages, but a faint smirk played on his pale lips. "Don’t spend it all in one place, Knox. You have a daughter to provide for now."

"I provide just fine," Knox grunted, though his golden eyes softened fast at the mention of his baby girl.

Rue sat on a wooden stool near the kitchen counter, listening to their easy banter. She wore a soft white dress, feeling much more like herself today. She decided to move little Seika into the children’s room before fully joining her mates in the living room.

She wanted the baby to get used to the nursery early, and she trusted the wards Caius placed on the windows.

She carefully lifted the sleeping newborn from the small bassinet Knox built for their bedroom. Seika felt warm and smelled like sweet milk. Rue carried her slowly down the long stone hallway, enjoying the quiet peace of the morning.

She reached the nursery and gently laid the baby down in the large oak crib. The room smelled like fresh pine needles, a calming scent that made Rue feel safe. She pulled a soft, woven gray blanket over Seika’s tiny legs, making sure she was perfectly comfortable.

Theron decided he was the boss of their room now.

The toddler shifted into his human form the exact moment Rue placed the baby in the crib. He wore tiny dark pants and a very serious, determined expression. He didn’t want to play with his blocks today. He had a brand new mission. He marched right up to the side of the crib, his bare feet slapping softly against the cold stone floor.

He grabbed the smooth wooden slats with his chubby hands. He pulled his small body up onto his tiptoes to get a good look over the edge.

The toddler bonding begins.

Theron stands guard by Seika’s crib in his human form. He refused to let his guard down for a single second. He treated the piece of furniture like a royal fortress. If a stray dust bunny floated too close, he swatted it away with a sharp hiss.

He keeps staring at her. He studied every single detail of the new addition to his wild pack. Seika slept soundly on her back. She was as pale as mum, her skin looking like soft, white milk against the dark wood of the crib. But when she blinked awake earlier in the day, Theron saw she had the exact same bright golden eyes as her father.

It was a strange, beautiful combination. Theron had messy silver hair and golden snake eyes, but his skin ran cool to the touch. Seika just looked soft. Very soft.

Rue stepped backward toward the open doorway. She didn’t want to interrupt his guard duty. She leaned against the cool stone frame and watched him work.

A soft rustling sound came from the far corner of the room.

Mochi crawled out from under a pile of thick, woven rugs. The little leopard girl stayed in her human form too, her bright silver curls bouncing as she moved on her hands and knees. Her fuzzy gray ears twitched back and forth, zeroing in on the quiet breathing coming from the crib.

She wanted to see the baby again. She remembered causing a panic the other night. She didn’t want to be a bad cat. She wanted to be a good big sister.

Theron turned his head. He shot Mochi a strict, warning glare. He placed one chubby finger over his lips, silently telling the leopard girl to be very quiet. He was the boss, and he made the rules.

Mochi nodded fast. She moved with slow, careful grace, proving she could be quiet when she tried. She crept over to her own small bed near the window. She dug her hand under the soft pillow and pulled out a small object.

It was her favorite carved wooden bird. Knox made it for her just a few weeks ago. It was her most prized possession in the whole house.

She crawled back over to the crib. She stood up next to Theron, peeking through the wooden bars.

Seika wiggled her little nose, her dark curls framing her pale face perfectly.

Mochi brings her favorite carved wooden bird and drops it right on Seika’s blanket.

The small toy landed with a very soft thud against the fabric. Theron looked at the wooden bird, then looked at Mochi. He narrowed his golden eyes, judging the gift. He was inspecting it for any hidden dangers. After a long moment, he gave a tiny, approving nod. The cat offered a solid tribute to the new princess. He accepted it on Seika’s behalf.

Mochi let out a quiet, happy purr. She rested her chin on the wooden rail right next to Theron.

Rue felt a hot tear prick the corner of her pink eye. She wiped it away fast. Her chest felt so full it actually ached. They were just babies themselves. Theron was barely walking a few months ago, and Mochi just learned how to use human words. Yet, here they were, forming a tiny, fiercely loyal pack of their own. They didn’t need magic or system prompts to tell them what to do. They just loved each other.

She crossed her arms over her chest and smiled. She loved her wild, chaotic family.

Rue felt a warm hand rest on her lower back.

She looked over her shoulder. Drax stood right behind her in the hallway. He moved so quietly she didn’t even hear his boots on the stone floor. He followed her from the main hall, wanting to make sure she didn’t overexert herself on the short walk to the nursery.

"They are doing well," Drax whispered. He leaned down, keeping his deep voice low so it wouldn’t carry into the room and startle them.

"They take it very seriously," Rue whispered back, leaning her weight comfortably against his solid chest. "Theron acts like a royal guard on duty."

"He is a beastman," Drax pointed out smoothly, resting his chin on the top of her silver hair. "He is protecting his territory. It is in his blood to watch over his own."

Inside the crib, Seika started to fuss. She didn’t cry out loud, but she wiggled her little arms in protest. The gray blanket shifted, exposing her tiny pale hands to the cool room air. She let out a soft, breathy coo, her lips forming a small pout.

Theron leaned in closer. He rested his chin on the top rail of the crib, watching her struggle with the blanket. He wanted to comfort her, but he remembered how fragile Knox said she was. He was scared to hurt her. He slowly reached one chubby hand through the wooden slats.

He extended his index finger. He hovered it right over Seika’s chest, waiting to see what she would do. He didn’t want to poke her. He just wanted to let her know he was there.

Seika blinked. Her golden eyes focused on the blurry shape moving right above her. She didn’t have much coordination yet, but her predator instincts were already sharp. She reached her tiny arms up, swatting at the empty air.

Then, she found her target.

Seika grabs Theron’s finger with a surprisingly strong grip.

Theron gasped loudly. His golden snake eyes went wide with pure shock. The tiny baby held on tight, her small fingernails digging slightly into his pale skin. She didn’t let go. She pulled his finger closer to her chest and let out another happy little coo. She liked the feeling of her big brother.

The fierce little snake boy actually tears up.

He didn’t hiss. He didn’t pull away or act tough. A fat, shiny tear rolled right down his pale cheek. He looked down at the tiny girl holding onto him, feeling a sudden, overwhelming wave of pure love. He couldn’t handle the big emotion by himself. He looked over his shoulder, searching the doorway for the one person who always knew how to make things make sense.

"Mama..."