I promise

Maverick closed the door behind him and wiped the stubborn tears away. They fell after all.

He knew this was the right thing to do, to let Donovan take him back to his mothers. It was wrong of the Lab to steal a baby from their parents. Although Donovan was technically stolen, Iris and Gabrielle had good intentions from shielding him from the Lab.

And he got to live a normal childhood. Something that was robbed from Maverick forever.

The first thing Maverick noticed was the strong scent of freshly cut grass. There was a hint of orange and sandalwood. Delighting Maverick.

It came from the only piece of furniture in the empty room. A stark white crib-very much like all the other furniture in the Lab- was placed in the center of the room. Off to the side was a built in cabinet that took up an entire wall. No doubt filled with supplies to care for the baby. On the opposite end of the cabinet was a changing table. One would have to pull it downwards to detach it from the wall.

From where he was standing he could already see a small bundle moving around vigorously through the bars of the crib, as though acknowledging his presence. Maverick walked up to his mate, breathing in his scent. Etching it into his mind. Remembering it forever.

This first encounter with his mate would save Maverick's sanity in the years to come. The alpha himself knew that much.

Using his strong nails, he sliced at the bars in two quick movements. The clattering made the bundle cry. Instantly Maverick moved to pick it up, doing his best to pacify the baby.

Maverick didn't need to do much. The baby instantly calmed down the moment Maverick held him close to his fervently beating heart.

The Alpha slid to the floor, his eyes shining on the baby. Striking green eyes meet his amber ones. His head had wisps of white hair.

"Looks like you take after Iris." Maverick laughed gently. At the sound of that, the baby cooed. His eyes never leaving Maverick.

"You're so beautiful little one." Maverick smiled feeling proud.

He raised his finger to poke at the dimples revealed when the baby smiled. But he paused-finger mid air- and looked concernedly at his long nails. Quickly Maverick gently set the baby back into the crib to get rid of his long nails.

He used to file his nails every day until his parents told him to leave them long. They were about two inches in length but quickly, Maverick used his teeth to break them at the base. Light clinking noises were made when the nails fell at his feet.

"That's better." Maverick gave a sigh of relief. Now the baby is safer around him. He picked up the bundle again and resumed his sitting position.

"We won't get to see each other for a long time." Maverick told the baby, using a soft and gentle voice as to not alarm him. "But I'll find you, however long it takes. Then we'll be together for the rest of our lives. Ok? I promise."

The baby smiled at the sound of his voice, dimpling again. Maverick used this opportunity to poke at one of the dimples.

Such soft velveteen cheeks. Like fresh rose petals plucked from the flower. The baby squirmed, and furrowed his eyes. His arms was struggling to come out of the blanket prisoning him.

Maverick unwrapped his mate a bit, wanting to make him comfortable but still keep him warm. The baby grabbed hold of Maverick's finger-the same one he used to poke the dimple. The alpha's heart swelled with love for the first time in his life.

"Today is the best day of my life, you know why?" Maverick let the baby lean on his legs and used the other hand to stroke his cheeks. The baby leaned towards his comforting touch. "Because I got to meet you for the first time."

For the remainder of the time, Maverick played with the baby with his now baby-proof nails. He tickled his tiny feet and kissed all his toes and fingers, counting them.

"Ten toes and ten fingers." Maverick laughed. His mate cooed in response. Next was to count two ears, two eyes, one nose... and one set of plush lips.

Maverick blushed. He'll save that kiss for later.

Sensing the ten minutes were nearly over, Maverick gave one last lingering kiss on the forehead. Before he bundled up his mate, Maverick pulled his long hair into a handheld pony tail and reached for one of the fallen nails.

A second later, Maverick held two locks of hair in his hand. He raked his fingers through it, ridding it of the knots so it became smooth to the touch. Then continued to braid one of the locks into a simple bracelet. It was made so it could also be adjustable. The other was shorter and done more intricately. That he gave to his mate to hold now.

He laid the smaller braid in his mate's hand, who grasped it tightly. Around them littered clumps of knotted hair and broken nails, a common sight when Maverick was constantly keeping up with his appearance.

The desire to mark his mate was coursing through his blood. It was present since the moment he entered the room. Every vein surged with - especially at the thought that they wouldn't be able to see each other for a long, long time. He wanted the world to know this tiny human is his and will forever be his alone.

His long canines were elongating, stretching out of his gums. No, he couldn't. He didn't want to mark a baby and have him live with the insignia all his life without knowing who put it there.

Looking at the nail in his hand, Maverick sharpened it against his canines, an idea forming in his mind.

He looked at his mate with sorry eyes as he slowly unwrapped the baby, exposing his pale tummy.

"It'll only hurt for a second. I promise."

Maverick hesitated before he plunged the sharpened nail into the soft, newborn flesh.