“Up kind of early,” I say as a greeting, mostly to cover my worry. No one calls unless there’s a party or a problem.
“Cali’s in labor,” Rose says without preamble.
My heart does a strange sinking flip. We’ve been expecting this. She's two days past her due date. But it’s still huge.
“Oh my gosh. Okay. She’s at the hospital? Did it just start?” I know from my sisters that labor can take a long time.
I’m sitting up now, alphas crowding close, all watching with concern. Rafe drags a hand up and down my spine. Corbin curls around me. Zeke and Gage sit up at the end of the bed. Poor Deputy makes small whining sounds.
“No, sorry. I just,” Rose sounds frazzled. A deep alpha voice murmurs in the background, likely soothing her. “She went into labor last night. She knew it would take a while and didn’t want to wake us. The baby is here.”
“The baby’s here? And everyone’s okay? The baby and Cali?” I reach out blindly, and Eli takes my hand to steady me while I hold the phone with the other.
“Yes. Everyone’s healthy and safe. And we don’t get to know the name or gender until we meet them, so I’m heading over.”
“She’s up for visitors?” I ask. Giving birth and then seeing people sounds daunting.
“She said she is, but only for short periods. She wants everyone to meet the newest Book Club member,” Rose jokes.
I laugh, tears prickling my eyes. One of my best friends just had a baby. The first of us.
“Okay. I’m coming,” I say.
We hang up, and I scoot out of bed. The alphas start getting up too.
“I’m sorry I have to go,” I say as I grab clothes from the top drawer.
“Why’re you sorry, Dulzura?” Gage asks.
“Because I have to rush out like a maniac,” I reply, hunting for a bra.
“You mean becausewehave to rush out,” Gage says.
I pause and look back. They’re all getting dressed.
“We want to see the new baby too,” Rafe teases.
“Plus, driving frazzled doesn’t seem like a great idea,” Corbin adds.
“You guys want to come with me to see Cali’s baby?” I ask.
“We want to come with you to make sure you’re supported,” Eli corrects.
I don’t know if it’s the early hour, the emotions, or how close I am to my heat, but I definitely tear up again.
“Okay,” is all I manage before we’re dressed and heading for the bikes. Deputy stays behind, and I promise him treats when we get back.
It’s a cool morning, but I barely feel the chill as we ride to the hospital. I recognize several cars in the lot when we arrive. Clara is in the lobby with two of her alphas, Victor and Dagan—the twins.
We hug, and Rose looks lost. “Which way is the maternity ward? I’ve never been up there.”
After following signs and getting help from a kind older nurse, we find the right floor. The correct room is obvious. Alphas crowd the hallway, milling about. Clara and I hurry forward with our packs. Hunt, Sunny’s alpha and Connor’s best friend, smiles when he sees us.
“Ready for some cuteness overload?” he asks.
We nod and head inside. The room is large, an omega suite meant for packs welcoming pups. Since Cali only has three alphas, there’s plenty of space.
Cali lies in the middle of a large pack bed, Bax on one side, Connor on the other. Seth stands nearby, holding a small bundle.
