Goddess above, ourson. The reality struck me as another wave of aching pain shuddered through my body.
“And based on a quick inspection, totally healthy,” the healer shared. “No lasting effects from the potion.”
“Now, we need to get the second out.” The demon midwife grinned from her position at the end of the bed. “You might be able to rest for a few moments, Ivy. But I think your second is coming quickly. Might be a little lonely without their brother.”
That had me panicking slightly, heart racing. “Take him,” I said to Adrian, panic tightening like a fist around my throat. “Just for now. I don’t—I don’t want to hurt him.”
With the panic came fear. Not just over hurting him, but over doing it all again.
He might have been out and safe, but that was for now. What would happen when his sibling came into the world and I couldn’t protect either of them anymore?
“You aren’t alone in this,” Elias murmured, kissing my temple.
“We are here,” Damon added from beside my bed, “and we are not going anywhere.”
I looked around the room, tears building in my eyes. And for the first time in months, a sense of real safety settled within me. Silently, I pressed a kiss to my son’s forehead and looked to Adrian, who gave me a single nod.
The colour drained from his cheeks, but thankfully he gently scooped our boy up. Quietly, Thea helped him settle the newborn against his bare chest, just as the pain struck me again.
My mates absorbed the contraction and gave me a chance to breathe.
Then, we did it all again.
15
Ivy
Everything around me was hazy, and yet so in focus. The minutes it took to push felt more like hours, time slowing until there was only me and the next flood of pain.
“I need you to give one more push,” the midwife said. “I see the head. This one already has some dark hair! Definitely a shifter baby.”
I gritted my teeth, growling as the contraction forced me into a near-seated position. I could feel my wolf clawing at my insides with this one. She wanted to help birth her pup and tried to give me strength.
Behind me, Elias’s hold was firm, giving me the power I needed to push this last one out.
In the back of my mind, I heard them all; Damon from the corner of the room where he helped Adrian clean our son, telling me how good I was doing; Maeve at my feet, who had taken over for Xerxes, giving me strength; Xerxes saying something in his own language, one he wanted to teach our children; Adrian soothing me and our newborn, ready to reunite the twins once our last was born.
The others were more gentle with their help, quieter, aware of how overwhelmed I was. They knew better than to overloadme with too much. Just Arthur’s touch alone was helpful, same with Rowan’s. Orion and Hawk, steady presences, guarding me while I was in my most vulnerable state.
Hell, even my best friend was doing her part. Wiping away the sweat and tears burning my face, working with one of the guys to keep the cloth cold and damp.
With that final push, our second child was born.
The cries this time were quieter. Maybe a little more curious. This time, Orion was the one to take the offered infant once the cord was clamped and cut. Through the bond, I felt my mate’s terror as he slowly walked the baby over to me, eyes locked on the little thing in his arms.
“She is beautiful,” Orion murmured. “Our daughter is beautiful.”
A girl. I was a sobbing mess again as Orion lowered her to my chest. My little pup. She had dark hair, just like the midwife said she would. Just like her brother, she had Elias’s underlying scent. Pine and earth hidden beneath blood. She had the same grey-pink skin as her twin, too, which would be cleaned away later.
For now, she was on my bare chest, not crying at all. Behind me, Elias curled around me, his chest rumbling.
“Precious girl,” he murmured, holding me tighter. “I love you so fucking much. You are amazing.”
I sobbed as Adrian joined us. I felt everyone around me now, especially as baby boy was lowered onto my breasts with his sister. They were no bigger than my forearm, so small I couldn’t believe they’d come out of my body together. Though, to no one’s surprise, our little pup was bigger than her brother. I was pretty sure that was a wolf thing.
“Holy shit, Ives. You did it,” Thea whispered, moving off the bed before I could stop her. “Congrats.”
“Don’t you dare leave yet,” I croaked, looking at her. “Don’t you want to know their names?”
