13
Stark
He thoughthis heart would leap out of his throat and fall out of his mouth. His skin was alive with anxious electricity. His mate was having a baby.
His mate was havingtheirbaby.
Behind them, Stark was vaguely aware of Scout giving the wedding crowd an update on what was going on.
Killian’s growl in his mind brought him back to his senses. “Let’s go.”
Stark nodded and followed the huge black wolf down the walkway towards the main manor door. The doorman opened it for them and they rushed through and down the stairs. Stark was careful not to let Kyle bounce too much in his arms. The last thing he wanted to do was make his mate uncomfortable this late in his pregnancy.
It’s not gonna be a pregnancy much longer, he thought.He’s going into labor.
The thought drove it home and made something spark inside Stark. Kyle was really having their babyright now.It was like a fire rushed towards the surface. His alpha instincts kicked in full force. The omega in his arms was the most important thing in the world to him. He would give anything to protect his mate and his child.
He leapt down the steps until he caught up with Killian, who nodded briefly at him before launching down the cobblestone street. Stark was right on his trail. The shifters in their pack dodged out of the way as the two alphas hurried past them.
“It’s right here,” Killian told Stark through their telepathic connection. He skidded to a halt, transformed back into human form and pushed the doors open for Stark to run through.
Stark remembered the hospital immediately. He and Kyle had been here last year while Scout was delivering Kendra.
Immediately a multitude of nurses came rushing towards them.
“We can take it from here,” one nurse told Stark, but he shook his head.
“I want to stay with Kyle,” he said.
“You can,” the nurse replied. “We’re just going to get him on a gurney and head to the delivery room. You’re welcome to come.”
Stark nodded and watched intently as the nurses helped Kyle onto the gurney. His face was anxious but not pained yet, Stark noticed. He realized that soon his contractions would start and his mate would begin to hurt.
“It’s okay,” Kyle said, pulling Stark out of his daze. “I’m gonna be fine. They know what they’re doing.”
Stark noticed his brow must have been furrowed in concern and he tried to relax his face, but could only slightly manage. “I know,” he said. “But you and our child mean everything to me. Besides, I’m an alpha, remember? It’s my job to worry about you.”
Kyle let out a laugh. “Fair enough.”
The nurses got Kyle comfortable and began wheeling him towards the delivery room. Stark was right by his side the whole time, holding his hand. “I’m right here,” he promised. “I won’t leave unless you want me to.”
Kyle looked like he was about to make a joke, but instead his face was scrunched up with concern as well. “I don’t want you to leave,” he said. “Please stay with me.”
Stark nodded. “Of course.”
The delivery room was bright and cold and sterile. Instantly Stark was worried about Kyle. What if it reminded him too much of the breeding facility? His grip on his mate’s hand tightened.
“I’m here,” he repeated. “I’ve got you.”
The nurses set up a private area in advance, which was a common occurrence in the pack with frequent deliveries. They were ushered into a comfortable place with walls that blocked off anyone else from seeing what happened within. Stark wondered again if that would set off Kyle’s memories, but the omega was now too busy with contractions to look concerned about that.
Stark felt sympathy pangs for his mate. He couldn’t imagine the pain of childbirth. He took Kyle’s hands and looked him in the eyes. “Squeeze my hands as hard as you need to, alright?” he said.
“Okay,” Kyle said with a wince.
The next ten minutes were spent in controlled chaos as the nurses ran around, making preparations for the birth. Stark stayed close to Kyle, helping his mate with breathing exercises that would hopefully ease the pain - or at least get his mind off it for a while. They seemed to help for a few sessions, until the pain started coming in more intense waves and Kyle could no longer concentrate on them.
“Is there anything I can do?” Stark asked desperately to both Kyle and the nurses.
