Filed to story: Owned by the Alphas Novel
“In a way. I can’t use my magic but I can offer advice. I can help in this capacity until after the child is born,” she smiled.
It was the best thing to come from the birth so far.
I couldn’t answer her for a minute while my contraction stormed through my body, and I almost collapsed.
Derik held me, directing me to the blanket in front of the sofa. Tabby sat on the sofa and put her hand on my shoulder.
It was as comforting as my Alphas were.
“I missed you,” I whispered to her, leaning my head on her knee.
She patted my head, pulling my hair back from my face as Derik talked with Kai.
I heard the words Galen and vampires, but I was too tired to pay attention.
Brax sat down on the other side of me and grabbed my hand, squeezing it gently.
I closed my eyes and tried to rest, preparing for the next tightening.
“Braxton,” Tabby said quietly.
His hand tensed in mine, and I wasn’t sure if he had acknowledged Tabby speaking or not, but she kept talking, “I must make mention of your shadow use. I would suggest being softer on them. You never know when pushing that hard on forces like that can be too much until it is too late,” she said in that wise old voice I had missed so much.
She was also right as usual.
I knew Brax had been pushing too hard. But now Tabby had confirmed it.
He said nothing in response.
I peered open my eyes at him, “Don’t push too hard, Brax. I need you here as my mate more than I need a protector,” I said softly.
He nodded once then rubbed his thumb over my hand.
That was the only conversation I could manage before I was writhing in pain again.
I cried out as it intensified. I clutched Brax, Tabby, everything around me, my tears back.
It was getting so much worse.
“I need Galen!” I cried.
Kai came over, kneeling down in front of me, “He is almost here, Little Luna. A little longer,” he reassured.
I didn’t feel reassured.
I was tired and over it.
I wanted a nap, I wanted to not be in pain, and more than anything, I wanted to hold my baby in my arms before we went back to war.
That idea slipped further from my mind with every minute the pack fought for the city that we were hiding away from.
“It’s ready, Mom,” Cain said, coming over and kneeling next to me. He put the bowl to my lips and tipped it, “Drink this,” he said.
I drank it, the concoction immediately numbing me.
My body went limp and my eyes fluttered closed. I let out a relieved breath.
“What did you give her?” Derik demanded.
“Temporary numbing potion. It won’t last long but hopefully long enough for the doctor to arrive,” Tabby smiled.
“It’s amazing,” I said, my voice floaty as I didn’t even try to resist the nap that beckoned me.
“The pain will be worse when you wake, Luna, but for now, rest, enjoy the respite and conserve your energy. This next part will take more from you than you have ever had to give, do you understand?” Tabby said.
I was only half conscious but I understood so I nodded.
I wasn’t sure if I could handle worse but I had no choice now and I needed the rest before it did.
“Sleep, Beautiful. We’ll be here when it is time and so will Galen,” Derik whispered, leaning over Brax to kiss my cheek.
There were whispers in my ear as I drifted, ‘The child must be born. Do not fail or hope will be lost.’
I didn’t respond. My tongue felt heavy and numb so I couldn’t, but I had heard it loud and clear in my head.
I tried to mumble back that I was going to have the baby, that I wouldn’t fail, but the numb spread to my head, shutting it down bit by bit.
Then I was asleep, hoping Tabby was wrong about it getting worse when I woke.
20. The Baby
Lorelai
Tabby was not wrong.
It was worse.
I wasn’t sure what kind of idiocy had claimed my brain enough to think I had any business betting against Tabby, but it was being proven wrong with every excruciating pain that hit me.
I screamed, cried, writhed.
It was a fire, spreading over my pubic bone. I was sure it was broken.
If not, then it was about to.
How did the women of the village do this over and over?
Cora Ziles from three huts over had seven children.
SEVEN.
Fuck that. I was done. My body was spent. My soul tired.
I wanted my baby. I wanted it in my arms and I sure as hell wanted it out of my cooch.
It was already stretched to hell from the three Alphas that claimed me almost daily. But pushing a baby out of it?
Nowhere near as pleasurable.
At the entirely other end of the scale actually.
It sucked.
“You can do this, Little Luna,” Kai tried, but I was so far past being placated.
“Like I have a choice?” I snapped.
Brax smirked at Kai for getting in trouble, but I glared at them all.
I had no right to, I knew that. But it made me feel better in the moment.
I was rested and in pain, which meant I had enough energy to be feral about what was happening.
Kai, Derik, and Brax tried to take the pain, tried to use the mating link to give me strength, give me as much of a reprieve as they could, but it felt like it barely did anything.
I was still suffering to the fullest extent of my capability to handle.
“When will it be over?” I snarled, another assault of tight pain lacing through my stomach and pelvis.
They all turned to Tabby, who was humming, watching, waiting.
She shrugged, “When the child is born, I suspect.”
I did not miss those damn riddles.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?