Page 68

Riley and Jax sprang into action, and soon Zack was back in bed. Jax had shown Mo where the protective mattress cover was and the clean sheets. Riley had given Victor a list of things to do simply to stop Victor leaning over them and growling because halfway up the stairs Zack’s first contraction had hit, and Victor didn’t like his mate in pain.

"Is it normal for it to happen this fast?" Mo asked, holding Zack's hand as another contraction rippled through him.

"For male shifters, yes," Jax replied, laying out sterilized instruments on a tray. "Especially bears. Once labor starts, it's usually quick and intense."

"But we thought we had more time," Victor said, returning with the supplies Riley had sent him for. His voice was steady, but Mo could feel his anxiety through their bond.

Riley patted Victor's shoulder reassuringly. "The accelerants they gave him at the facility are mostly out of his system, but they did their job. The baby is fully developed and ready to come. This is actually good—no more waiting and worrying."

Zack grimaced as the contraction eased. "Easy for you to say," he muttered, but there was no real heat in his words. His hand moved to rest on his belly, trying to calm down. "It's really happening."

"It really is," Mo whispered fiercely, pressing an intense, loving kiss to Zack’s forehead. "And you're going to be phenomenal."

Zack met his gaze, eyes aflame with worry. "What if he isn’t okay?"

“Zack,” Riley cajoled. “Do you really think either Jax, who is the best midwife in the world, or I, who am the superior twin—” he teased, “—would let anything happen to either of you?”

The labor progressed faster than any of them had anticipated. Victor paced at the foot of the bed while Mo remained steadfastly at Zack's side, murmuring encouragement and wiping his brow with a cool cloth.

"You're doing great," Riley assured Zack, checking his progress. "You're already at eight centimeters. Won't be long now."

Zack gripped Mo's hand so tightly that Mo winced, though he never complained. "I can't believe this is happening," Zack panted between contractions. "We haven't even gotten the nursery ready."

“Don’t worry about that,” Mo soothed. The next contraction hit before Zack could respond, more intense than the previous ones. He arched up from the bed, a low growl escaping him as his bear responded to the pain.

"Breathe through it," Jax coached, his calm presence a counterpoint to the tension in the room. "That's it. Your body knows what to do."

When the contraction passed, Zack slumped back against the pillows, sweat beading on his forehead as he labored to control his breathing through the intense pain. "I need to push," he gasped, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and determination.

Riley checked him again and nodded. "You're fully dilated. On the next contraction, I want you to push."

Victor moved to Zack's other side, taking his free hand. "I'm here," he murmured, pressing his forehead against Zack's temple. "We both are."

The next contraction built quickly, and Zack bore down with a guttural growl, his face flushing with the effort.

"Good," Jax encouraged. "That's perfect, Zack. I can see the head."

Mo squeezed Zack's hand. "You're doing it, love. You're amazing."

Victor's eyes were wide with awe as he watched. His wolf was near the surface, his protective instincts heightened as his mate labored to bring their cub into the world.

"Rest a moment," Riley instructed as the contraction eased. "The next one should do it."

Zack panted, his eyes meeting first Mo's, then Victor's. "I love you both," he whispered. "So much."

"We love you too," Mo replied, tears streaming down his face.

The final contraction built, more powerful than all the others combined.

Zack's roar echoed through the room as he pushed with every ounce of strength he possessed, his body trembling with the effort.

"That's it," Jax encouraged. "Shoulders are coming... and—"

A tiny, indignant cry filled the room, cutting through the tension like a knife. Jax cradled the squirming newborn in his hands, a broad smile spreading across his face.

"It's a boy," he announced, his voice thick with emotion. "A healthy baby boy."

Mo let out a sob, his hand flying to his mouth as he stared at the tiny red-faced infant. Victor seemed frozen, his eyes wide with wonder as he took in the sight of his son for the first time.