Hawke took the washcloth and patted her face. “I’m sorry, Hawke,” she cried. “It hurts!”
Hawke kissed her forehead, his purr resonating throughout the room.
I continued to watch the clock, counting the seconds until she had to push again.
Bear was at the doorway, the door cracked, his arms crossed, looking in to check on me. Not that he had anything to worry about, but as I had read about wolf births, they could be, well… territorial once their pups were born.
I needed to help Delilah birth the baby, cut the umbilical cord, and, if there was no hostility in the room, deliver the placenta. That was hopeful thinking. By that point, Hawke’s wolf might be in control by then, and I might sustain a nasty bite since his wolf would see me as a threat to the baby.
It was a vulnerable situation for everyone. I trained Hawke’s human side to be prepared to deliver the placenta on his own if I needed to make a getaway.
I swallowed and placed my hand on Delilah’s stomach. “Ready, and push again, Delilah. This is it.”
Again she pushed, and she cried out in pain. Hawke’s heart broke at seeing his mate. I could feel it myself. Hawke let out a howl, and the lights in the clinic flickered in the room. Another howl echoed through the halls. It was overpowering Hawke’s, and he was just right beside me.
I ignored it, concentrating.
“Deep breath and one more push!” The howls continued until I could see the blonde tuft of hair coming through.
“I see it! Your baby is coming. Keep going!”
Delilah cried out again, and with the help of gravity, I cradled the baby into my arms. Hawke grabbed an exhausted Delilah and leaned her against the pillows. I quickly got to work and wiped the baby’s face, clearing out their airways.
I didn’t even have time to look at the gender before I heard growling from the head of the bed. I glanced up to see Hawke, his eyes wild and fur sprouting down his neck.
“Time to go,” Nikita urged.
The cord was still attached to Delilah, and I couldn’t have Hawke rip the baby from my arms. I watched Hawke and spoke softly to him. “It’s alright, I’m here to help. I’m going to give you your pup.”
His wolf growled, and Nikita was doing her best to stay silent, but I felt the fur on my neck rising.
Bear was deadly silent on the other side of the door.
“Easy,” I continued to soothe Hawke and clamped the cord. “Do you want to cut the cord?”
“Goddess, just cut the cord, damnit!” I heard Teddy roar in my head.
Bear growled from the other side of the door in warning, which Hawke didn’t take kindly to.
I was still between Delilah’s legs, and I leaned forward and rested the baby on her bare chest. The baby nestled into her, and I put a blanket over both of them to at least keep the baby warm. I kept my eye on Hawke as he watched me, his claws growing.
“Easy,” I soothed.
Delilah let out a sob. “Hawke, look, it’s a girl!” Hawke shook his head, looking at me and Delilah. I took the time to grab my scissors and lift the blanket to quickly cut the cord.
Hawke growled again when I made a fast movement, and I held up my hands in surrender. “Easy, I’m leaving. Take all the time you need.” I continued to back away, not taking my eyes off him. Once I left the room, I shut the door and made sure the warning sign was up so no one could enter.
“Shit, that was exhausting,” Nikita thumped our head on the wall, and I nodded.
“Let’s hope there aren’t any other pregnant shifters,” I said.
As I stood up, I noticed Bear was nowhere to be found, and neither was Bones, who said they would be nearby.
My stomach churned. Why wouldn’t Bear be here? He was supposed to stay until everything was alright. “He knows your strong,”Nikita said. “Maybe he was excited to tell the others?”
I shook my head in disbelief and made my way down the dimly lit hallway that led to the bar. As I reached the end, I leaned against the railing and let my gaze wander over the chaotic scene below. Instead of the bustling bar filled with eager members, I saw them frantically cleaning up what appeared to be a disarrayed mess. The sight of broken glass and scattered debris filled the air with a musty scent, while the sound of shuffling footsteps and hushed whispers echoed through the once lively space.
My mouth opened at seeing tables knocked over, the door off its hinges, and the large glass window destroyed.
