We’d watched countless videos and read all the birthing books in the local library. But I felt unprepared now the baby was on the way.
When I ended the call, another contraction was wrapping itself around my mate. Zale was on his hands and knees on the bed, breathing hard. Through the bond, the pain radiating through him and my wolf wanted to take it away because he couldn’t watch our mate suffer. I hoped that by sharing the pain we were doing just that.
"What do you need?" I asked when the contraction passed. Perhaps that was a silly thing to say and he might respond with, "Stop asking ridiculous questions."
"Talk to me." Zale's voice was so brittle I expected it to snap. "I need you to keep talking and keep my mind occupied. Tell me about… I don't know… tell me about bread."
"Bread?" My mind was blank because what did my knowledge of bread have to do with active labor?
"Please, just talk." Zale asked me to help him up, saying he wanted to walk.
I helped him off the bed and into the living room where he could move around. He paced, one hand on his lower back with the other gripping furniture as he walked. I followed awkwardly behind him.
"Okay. Bread." I kept close to my mate in case he tripped or needed ice chips that I’d put in a bowl on the coffee table. I’d never had to think about the process of making bread for years because it was ingrained in me. "Ummm, you start with the ingredients. Flour, water, yeast and salt. Simple things that become something more."
Zale nodded, still pacing. “Keep going."
"You mix them together slowly but you can't rush it. The dough needs time to come together.” I watched him breathe through another contraction. My wolf was pacing inside me worried about our mate. "That's it. Just breathe. Keep it steady and rhythmic."
When the contraction eased, Zale kept moving. I stayed with him, one hand on his lower back.
"Then you knead it," I continued. "Push it away with the heel of your hand and fold it back." I was in awe of my mate’s strength and determination as he coped with the contractions.
"Don’t stop now," Zale gasped. "Tell me more."
"You’re doing so well and one day I’ll tell our little one how you brought them into the world." I brushed away tears because my mate needed me at his side and not a blubbering mess.
Another contraction hit. Zale gripped the back of the couch and I pressed against his back, supporting him. Through our connection, I felt the wave of pain crest and slowly recede.
"Zale, you’re doing great,” I murmured. "You’re so strong."
"More talking. Tell me about anything."
"I love you so much and you’re going to be a great dad. You already are because you’ve carried and nurtured our baby. For nine months you cradled our little one while they grew."
Zale made a sound that might have been a laugh. "Not sure I had a choice about the growing part."
"But you did it perfectly." I kissed his shoulder. Thanks to the link we were sharing, I poured love and strength into him. My wolf was whining, wanting to help more, and urging me to take the pain away.
The contractions were coming faster now. He couldn't pace anymore. He ended up on his hands and knees on the floor. I was behind him with my hands on his hips.
"Talk," he demanded. "It’s… it’s almost like meditation. I need to hear your voice."
I wasn’t sure anything I had to say at this point would help but I remembered some wise words from our birthing class. “Remember this is pain with a purpose. At the end, our baby will be here and you will have done that."
"Hawthorn." He seemed to be forcing his voice out. "Something's changing. I feel… I need to push."
My heart sped up and my hands trembled. "Already?"
"Yes. Oh gods, I want to push."
I helped him move to the bedroom and onto the bed. My hands were shaking but I tried to stay calm because my mate needed me. Despite the fear and his pain, I sensed hisdetermination. My mate was about to bring our pup into the world.
My wolf was alert now while I focused on helping Zale deliver the baby.
"Okay. You can push," I said, trying to remember what we’d learned in class. "Listen to your body."
Zale bore down with the next contraction. He screeched at how much it hurt and I gritted my teeth as I shared his agony while supporting him. Again, I told him he was doing great, though my heart was racing.
