“Stay with me, baby,” Knox said, his hand gripping mine. “Help is here. You’re going to be just fine. You and the baby are both going to be just fine.”
I really wanted to believe him.
7
— • —
Lina
“You’re going to be okay, Luna.”
The healer’s voice was calm and reassuring, the kind of tone that came from decades of delivering news to worried patients. Dr. Hartley was a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and steady hands, and she’d been nothing but patient with me since I’d arrived at the pack, helping me through the entire pregnancy.
I arrived here an hour ago, but it felt longer. It felt like I’d been lying in this bed forever, hooked up to monitors and IV drips and whatever else they’d decided to pump into my body. The cramps had finally faded to distant echoes, the medication working its way through my system and dulling the sharp edges of the pain that had nearly broken me earlier.
Knox sat in the chair next to my bed, his hand wrapped around mine with a grip that bordered on painful. He hadn’t let go sincethey’d wheeled me in. Hadn’t moved, hadn’t spoken, hadn’t done anything except stare at me with those gray eyes that held equal parts fear and rage.
“Can you explain what happened?” I asked, my voice hoarse from the smoke I’d inhaled earlier. “I need to understand why my body decided to attack me in the middle of the night.”
Dr. Hartley pulled up a chair and sat down, folding her hands in her lap with professional composure. “It was a combination of factors, Luna. The amount of sugary desserts you’ve been consuming lately, combined with the spicy dinner and chocolate cake from this evening, created a perfect storm in your digestive system. Your body did not react well to the combination.”
I thought about the cupcakes. The cookies. The chocolate cake at dinner. The second helping of that spicy curry Knox’s mother had made. Maybe I had been overdoing it on the food front lately. In my defense, the baby wanted what it wanted.
“But why was it so severe?” Knox asked, his first words since we’d arrived. His voice was rough, strained. “She was in agony. I felt it through the bond. That wasn’t just a stomachache.”
Dr. Hartley nodded, her expression sympathetic. “That’s the other part of this equation. During pregnancy, the body prioritizes the baby above all else. Every resource, every healing capability, every protective mechanism is focused on ensuring the infant’s safety and development. This leaves the mother somewhat more vulnerable than usual. More human, in a sense, even for those of us with wolf healing. Luna Lina’s body was so focused on protecting the baby that it couldn’t properly manage the digestive distress, which allowed the symptoms to escalate far beyond what would normally occur.”
More human than ever. Fantastic. Just what I needed to hear.
“There’s another factor I need to ask about,” Dr. Hartley continued, her gaze settling on me with gentle concern. “Have you been experiencing significant stress lately? Strong emotions? Anxiety or fear?”
I felt Knox’s eyes on me, felt the weight of his attention pressing against my skin. I knew what he was probably thinking. The threat on the door. The burned blanket. The terror I’d felt tonight.
I bit my lip before answering. “Yes. Might be.”
“That would explain why the symptoms became so severe so quickly.” Dr. Hartley nodded as if this confirmed her suspicions. “Stress hormones can exacerbate physical symptoms, especially during pregnancy. Your body was already struggling to manage the digestive issues, and the added stress created a feedback loop. Each cramp caused more anxiety, which caused more cramping, which caused more anxiety. A snowball effect that kept growing until your system was overwhelmed.”
“What does this mean for the baby?” I asked, my hand instinctively moving to rest on my belly.
“For now, the baby is fine. Strong heartbeat, good movement, no signs of distress. However...” She paused, and I could tell by the look on her face that I wasn’t going to enjoy whatever came next. “If this condition continues or worsens, there could be complications. Severe stress and physical trauma to the mother can trigger premature labor. There’s also the possibility of other issues affecting the infant if your body remains in a constant state of distress.”
Premature labor. Issues with the baby. All because my body had decided to stage a rebellion at the worst possible time, and all the stress I’d been carrying around wasn’t helping anything.
“What do I need to do?” My voice came out smaller than I intended.
“Rest. Take your medication as prescribed. Avoid the foods that triggered this episode. And most importantly, find ways to reduce your stress levels. Whatever is causing you anxiety, you need to address it or remove it from your life. Your baby’s health depends on it.”
“She’ll try her best,” Knox said firmly, squeezing my hand. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Dr. Hartley smiled softly. “I’m sure you will, Alpha. One more thing, your lungs are slightly irritated from the smoke you inhaled, but that should clear up on its own within a day or two. Nothing to worry about there.”
“And when can she go home?” Knox asked.
“I’d prefer to keep her here for observation for the rest of the night. If everything looks stable in the morning, she can be discharged.” Dr. Hartley stood, smoothing down her coat. “I’ll check on you in a few hours, Luna. Try to get some rest in the meantime.”
“Thank you,” I managed.
Knox echoed my thanks as Dr. Hartley walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind her. The silence that followed feltawkward and strained, both of us waiting for the other to speak first.
