Chapter Twenty-Three

West

“I can’t believe this is happening,” I said as I cleaned up in the shower. I was speaking to myself, mostly. Alex’s stomps could be heard all over the house. He was calling the healer. Getting things ready. We had a plan. Of course we did. Alex was the most organized and responsible person I knew.

Once I stepped out, Alex was there, holding out a white towel almost as pale as he was. “Everything is going to be okay.”

“I hope you’re right. I…oh.” A powerful pain pulsed against my lower spine and then gripped my entire back in a vise of pressure and pain that made me see stars. “That’s two minutes, Alex. Two minutes since the last one. This baby is coming.”

“We haven’t set up the tub or anything.”

I laughed while gripping the vanity counter. “This baby doesn’t care, apparently. Just…lay some blankets on the floor, mate.” My wolf spoke through me, which I hadn’t realized he could do until that moment.

“We’re having this baby without a healer?”

I nodded. “We are. We have to trust my body and my wolf. They both know exactly what they’re doing. We’re just here for the show.” I cried out as another burning pain ripped through me. I could feel my channel begin to widen, making way for the baby.

My wolf took over, forcing me to my knees as soon as the blankets were spread out. Alex kneeled behind me and removed the towel still hanging from my hips. “You’ve got this, Alex. You’re doing amazing.”

His warm hands caressed my hips and back as contraction after contraction ripped through me. I was rocking on my hands and knees back and forth when I heard the front door open. Alex called out to the healer. Once he was in the room, he kneeled in front of me. “Looks like you’ve got this all under control, omega. Let the pains come through you. They are welcoming your child. Alex, are you seeing the head yet?” My vision was a bit hazy as a huge pain tore through me. My back entrance ignited in some kind of ring of fire.

“I see the head. Oh, gods. I see our baby. Should he push again?”

The healer kept my gaze. “Big breath in. Only a few more pushes.”

I did as he said.

“Excellent. Now, when you breathe out, push that babe out of you.”

I took one long breath and exhaled with the loudest yell I could muster, and my muscles relaxed as a weight left my body.

“I’ve got him. I’ve got him!” Alex yelled.

The healer said something to me. I didn’t know what, but he rushed behind me and helped Alex with the baby, I supposed.

I was so damned tired.

“I need to see him,” I said.

“Of course you do, omega. We’re bringing you your son. Let’s get you on your back.”

The healer helped me over and laid a small body on my chest. “West, say hello to your son.”