My eyes snapped open as a gasp left my lips. I've been feeling uncomfortable for a while, not being able to sleep because of the discomfort felt by my body. I was sweating and it was not because of the summer heat. Our room is air-conditioned. There was no reason why I should be sweating buckets. My anxiety was rising through the roof as each second passed.
At some point, I just couldn't even look at my mate who was sleeping like a baby beside me. So peaceful and so blissfully unaware of the turmoil I was going through. Taking a look at him even for a second, made me want to kick that rascal out of the bed.
Look at him sleeping so peacefully after making me like this! Dear goddess, why couldn't you make the alpha males the ones getting pregnant? The world would've been a peaceful place.
I let out a sigh and sat up with great effort. A groan slipped past my lips at how my body ached even with the smallest movements. My sounds of discomfort made my mate stir from his sleep. Cassian slowly opened his eyes and blinked a few times to focus on me.
“Ivy?” he stared at me in confusion. I only let out a soft mewl in response, even the thought of talking exhausted me. Cassian instantly sobered up and focused on me with his utmost attention. “Are you alright?”
“Of course, I'm all fine and dandy that's why I'm sitting up in the dead of the night and staring at the boring wooden ceiling because isn't it so fun? Sleep is overrated,” I spat out. Well, I guess my annoyance dominated my exhaustion. And then my throat felt dry from the long sassy reply so I let out an ugly cough because even breathing started to feel difficult. “Water..”
Cassian scrambled to get me what I asked and even though he tried his best to keep his calm expression I could see that he was panicking inside. “Do you feel any pain, love?”
“Just cramps and nothing much at the moment but I….I do feel weird…I don’t know why…” I frowned. It was weird. There was no reason why I should be feeling like that. Lily didn’t warn me about it.
We still had a few days left for delivery so what’s this? Should I be worried? Is the baby going to be okay?
A thousand questions were clouding my mind but I didn't want to panic and make the situation worse. I remember Lily saying that high blood pressure is bad for the baby.
“I’ll go call Lily,” Cassian got up but I stopped him by grabbing his hand.
“Don’t,” I shook my head no. It was the dead of the night. I couldn’t let him go and wake up everyone just cause I was feeling weird. “She must be sleeping. It's alright… I'm not feeling any pain at the moment…it's just discomfort. I can push through it…I’ll be fine,”
“No way I'm letting you push through this like it's nothing. We moved to this goddamn cabin so we're closer to the clinic in case of emergencies. We didn't do this for nothing. I’m calling Lily.'' Cassian said sternly, voice leaving no room for argument.
I watched as he strode towards the table and picked up the phone. The alpha gave the phone a perplexed look. “Not reachable? What the fuck?” He cursed before taking his shirt from the chair nearby. “I'll be back in a minute, okay? Don't open the door for anyone. I'll open it myself when I come,” he warned me before striding towards the door. Cassian gave a reassuring look before sliding out.
I let out a shaky breath and stared up at the ceiling. This better not be what I think it is. Lily said we still have time at the last check-up. We still have a week and a half left for the baby to come. So why this sudden pain and discomfort?
I'm sure it took only a few minutes as Cassian promised for him to come back with Lily on his tail but for me, it felt like an eternity. The discomfort only got worse and I was on the verge of tears when they entered the cabin.
“Ivy, how do you feel?” Cassian grabbed my hand and pushed the hair away from my face. I looked at him through teary eyes and he turned his panicked gaze towards Lily. “Do something!” He growled and Lily then jumped into action with a concerned look on her face.
“Ivy, do you feel cramps?” She asked and I saw a few other nurses enter the cabin.
I nodded and then saw Lily’s frown deepen. “What's wrong?”
“No, just…I think you're going into labor…”
“W-What?” I looked at her puzzled, my hand on my baby bump. Cassian’s grip on my other hand tightened as he inched closer. “But you said we still had time?”
“I did. That's why I'm confused. When we scanned you four days ago that's how it seemed but I don't understand why it's happening so suddenly,” Lily explained as she hastily set up everything with the other nurses. “Thank goddess, I told them to come with everything just for precaution,”
“Lily, what do you mean? Is it bad? Is it going to hurt her? Is it dangerous?” Cassian was eager to question, eagle eyes focused on the doctor diligently working.
“I can't tell yet. We'll need to—Ivy, are you alright?”
I gasped and snapped my eyes shut at the sudden cramp I felt. Soon I felt wetness between my legs. “Oh no, I think…I think my water just broke–oh god!” I gasped from the pain.
Cassian called my name again and again and Lily was barking orders to her assistants but I couldn't focus on anything other than the pain. It was that bad. Even breathing was hard. My vision blurred and my limbs began to shake. I screamed out whatever came to my mind and I cursed all the bad words I knew because the pain made me lose my mind.
I could feel Cassian's panicked whispers and gentle touches as he tried to help me but nothing helped. I knew nothing could help. I knew I had to bear this alone.
And then I could feel it. The baby moving inside me. I spread my legs as a gasp slipped past my lips. “It's coming,” I groaned. My baby. My pup…. I just want to make sure my pup is okay…
Soon, my pants were torn off as Lily and the nurses elevated my legs. I could hear somebody telling me to push and I could feel Cassian's lips on my forehead from time to time but the pain was blinding. It took over all of my senses.
I screamed and cried as the next contraction hit me. Then I could feel my body being torn as something slipped out of me. “A-Alpha…” I cried and Cassian gave my hand a squeeze because I couldn't see him through my tears. “Our pup…” I breathed out.
“Keep pushing, Ivy,” Lily said from below. “You can do it. Keep pushing. The pup is almost out,”
I gave her a weak nod and Cassian whispered soft nothings to my ear as I took a deep breath. When the next contraction hit, I pushed with all my might and let out a loud scream as I felt myself tear open between the legs. It's a terrifying feeling and for a moment I felt like this is the end for me before I felt someone pull the pup out of me.
It took a few moments for me to be aware of my surroundings and when I did, I couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh. A sob slipped past my lips when I heard the cries of our pup. Our pup…Our pup is finally here.
I turned my teary eyes towards my mate when I felt his soft lips on my forehead. “You did so well, baby. I'm so proud of you,” Cassian whispered, prepping my face with kisses. I wanted to hold my pup but I felt so weak. One of the nurses took our pup to do whatever she needed to while the others patched me up between the legs.
Cassian and I waited patiently to hold our baby. I could feel his eagerness through the bond. He was just as excited as I am and I can't thank the goddess enough for making him my mate. The man stood by me like a rock, giving me all his strength. Without him, I'm sure this would've been much more painful.
But before we both could hold or even see our pup, there was a knock on the door. Frantic and loud.
Everyone’s attention turned to there and Cassian stepped forward, covering my vision with his body. “Alpha!” We heard a man shout. “It's an emergency!”
Cassian clenched his fist and then turned his body to me, giving me an assuring look before striding towards the door. Lily had stopped cleaning me up and now all of our attention was on the panting warrior in the doorway.
“What–”
“There's an attack,” the man breathed out with difficulty.
My heart lurched in my chest when I heard the words. No…Not now… Not when my pup is here…
“Ryder is handling it but I don't think we can do much without you,”
Cassian whipped his head towards me and gulped before he spoke again. “Where did they attack from?”
“North and South….”
“Rogues or…”
“Hunters…”
“Fuck,” Cassian cursed, threading a hand through his hair and closing his eyes. He took a moment to collect himself before looking at me and meeting my worried stare. With long strides, he was beside me in a second, pressing a gentle kiss against my lips. I couldn't help but burst out into tears, unable to hold them back. His eyes said everything even though he spoke no words.
He needed to go.
There was nothing more I wanted to do than cling to him and beg him to stay. We haven't even seen our pup. How can he leave before holding our child? He has to scent the pup. He has to—
“Alpha, we need to hurry,”
I swallowed my words and closed my eyes, clearing the tears that were clouding my vision. “You have to promise…. promise to come back safe and sound. My pup needs its father,”
“I will,” he gripped my hand a bit tighter and placed another kiss on my forehead. “I will come back for both of you. I love you and our pup,” he whispered before standing straight. I bit back my sobs as I watched him turn around with clenched fists.
“Call all the trainees! Intrsuct them to guard the omega quarters and clinics!” I watched as my mate barked orders as he walked towards the door.
“Yes, alpha!”
He stopped before getting out of the cabin, casting me a soft look one last time before he went out to fight. I tried to give him a smile but I don't know how much of a success it was.
“We need to evacuate the villagers close to the conflict. Move them to the pack house, quick! And tell me where Ryder is!” That was the last thing I heard before the cabin door slammed shut. I stared at the ceiling, terrified and tired.
Why? Why does this have to happen now of all time?