Sagging as it eases, I collapse back against Luc’s chest. He’s on the bed behind me, his body cradling mine. Nikolai and Bastien have both had a turn too. Max wipes at his brow as he stands up, pursing his lips.
“You’re nearly there, love,” he reassures me in a calm voice. “Nearly time to push.”
“Fucking finally,” I gasp, and Luc presses a kiss to my neck, damp with sweat. “Filthy,” he mutters. “Mouth like a sailor.”
I curse at him with every bad word I can think of until my body gets ripped apart again.
Motherfucker.
And people used to do this shit more than once?
“No more,” I force out, panting. “This is it. I hope you’re happy with three, because my legs are closed during any and all future heats.”
Luc squeezes my fingers in his. “Sure, brat. Whatever you say.”
I can’t even give him the stink-eye because another contraction is coming, my stomach twisting and ripping itself apart until I throw my head back against Luc’s shoulder and scream.
“Push,” Max barks. “Push, Ava!”
“I can’t,” I sob. “I’m so tired, Max.”
“You can,” he says firmly. “You’re so close, baby. So close to having those babies safe with us. I just need you topush.”
My body is already responding to his bark, my fingers white as I squeeze Bastien and Nik’s hands with everything I have and push down.
Something shifts and Max shouts triumphantly as I limply fall back, Luc holding me up.
A tiny cry breaks the air, and my heart stops. I stare at Max as he stands up, a cloth-wrapped bundle in his arms. “Hello, Leo,” he says, smiling down. “Come and meet your mama.”
My tears fall freely as I reach out weakly for my son. Max carefully places him in my arms, Luc helping me hold him as we all gaze down in amazement.
Leo Grey stares up at me with a wrinkled brow and blazing blue eyes. A soft tuft of dark hair shifts as he squirms a little, his little mouth opening and closing.
“Hi, Leo,” I whisper unsteadily. “I’m your mom.”
“Ava,” Bastien whispers unsteadily. “He’s amazing.”
Smiling, I look up at my pack. Bastien and Nik have wide eyes as they crowd around us, and Luc kisses my shoulder gently. “One down, brat.”
“One more to go,” Max coaxes me, and I reluctantly hand Leo over to Bastien. He almost disappears in his arms, my beta staring down with a hint of panic and a whole lot of love as he carefully strokes a finger down his cheek.
My heart twists at the sight of Bastien cradling him so gently, and I sniff as I turn back to Max. “Okay, I’m ready.”
Nik nudges Luc, and he shifts out from behind me, Nik sliding into his place, his warmth soaking into my back as he breathes into my ear. “Nearly there, little bird. I’m so proud of you.”
Turning my face into his arm, I rest my forehead against it, soaking up some of his calming vibes. Luc moves into position next to me, Bastien cradling Leo as he watches with a smile on his face.
Luc presses a kiss to my knuckles fervently. “I’m calling Daddy, by the way,” he says, eyeballing Bastien. Bastien pulls a face at Leo.
“No way,” he coos. “I’m going to be Daddy, aren’t I, Leo? Lucien can be Father. He’s way too uptight to be daddy.”
Luc bristles, and I level them both with a glare as the pain in my stomach returns. “If you don’t mind,” I gasp, “Can you hash this one out later?”
Luc looks down at me, immediately contrite. “Sorry, baby.”
Max calls out, his face a picture of concentration. “Get ready, love. She’s coming.”
The cramping in my abdomen intensifies again, and I cry out, pushing back against Nik as he braces me firmly.
