Chapter Twenty-Five

Heath

The moon was full as I took my long evening walk. Archer followed me, about ten feet back, as he did lately. I was far along in my pregnancy, and the healer said the week before that I would be having the baby any moment now.

That night, Archer began to follow me on my walks. Overprotective, caring alphas are what I had, and I wouldn’t ask them to change for anything in the world.

I pulled the collar of the cardigan closed against my neck. A biting wind pushed through the trees and at my face as I paused to bask in the glow of the moon goddess above me. Closing my eyes, a swirling rushed through my belly, settling in the small of my back.

A whooshing pressure made me reach out to hold on to the nearest branch, which snapped at the pressure of my grasp.

“My water,” I whispered to the night. Archer’s footsteps quickened and he reached me in seconds.

“Omega, your water broke. Let’s get you inside. The baby is coming.”

“No,” I said, putting my hand on his shoulder. “My fox. He wants to be outside. I don’t…I want to be out here.”

“Let’s get back to the house and call the healer. Then you can decide. We will do whatever you want, but…let’s go.”

Instead of letting me walk, Archer scooped me up in his arms, and we made it through the back door just as Oren was putting the last dish on the shelf.

“What happened?” Oren asked, his eyes wide.

“His water broke. Can you call the healer?”

“Of course.” Oren rushed over and checked me head to toe while he phoned the healer. “He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

“I need a quick shower, and I want to be outside.”

“Outside!” Oren barked. “It’s cold outside. It’s…” I put my hand on his cheek as one long pain gripped my back. “Yes. yes, of course. Whatever you want, little fox.”

My animal had convinced him somehow through our bond.

I took a quick shower but only put boxers on to wait for the healer. Oren helped me through that process while Archer got some blankets and set them on the table. He had a cup there and urged me to drink up the electrolyte solution he’d stirred in.

“Hello, everyone,” the healer said as he came into the house, not bothering to knock, which was fine.

“He wants to have the baby outside,” Oren proclaimed.

“That’s fine. Some animals don’t like the confinement of a house when birthing their babes. It’s normal.”

“But it’s cold outside,” Archer protested.

“Your mate is a strong and capable shifter. It’s important during this time to listen and heed his instincts. His fox will be close during the birth. Our animals know best, after all.” He came over and touched my belly. “Now, let’s get you outside. We’ll bring the babe inside if it’s okay to wash them up and get them settled. One of your mates will always be with them.”

I nodded, grateful he was on my side. “That’s fine. Oh…” Another punch of pain landed right in the center of my spine, near the bottom. “That’s a second one in less than two minutes.”

“Then, let’s go outside. Archer, can you spread out those blankets for us?”

My alphas worked quickly, spreading out blankets while I took my boxers off. The healer examined me and found me fully dilated and ready to push. I transitioned to my hands and knees. It seemed more natural, and my fox was demanding it.

“I need to push.” I bore down, not waiting for permission from anyone.

“A couple more and we’re there, Heath. You’re doing so well. I can see the head.”

Two more pushes, the last one draining me of all my strength, and the wails of my babe filled the air.

I collapsed onto my side and Oren held me close. “He’s perfect, Heath,” he whispered.

The healer placed our crying babe onto my chest, and his cries ceased immediately. Oren was right. He was perfect. He had Archer’s jawline and my nose and Oren’s bright eyes.

“What’s his name?” Archer asked, coming over with a blanket to cover our little one’s back as he lay across my chest.

“I want to name him Silas. It means man of the forest,” I stated. It was one of the names we’d decided on, so my alphas already liked it.

“Silas, welcome to our family,” Archer said, stroking the babe’s back. “You are so loved.”

The healer came over after silently examining me. “Can one of your alphas come with me so we can clean Silas up? Are you ready to come inside and get clean as well? Your choice, Heath.”

“I’m ready for all of this,” I said. “Let’s go.”