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“They could have been,” Robert said.

“If you don’t need me to assist in here, I’m going to help with refreshments.” Anne appeared as though she wanted to make a quick escape.

Maisie smiled at her sister.

Then Heather rushed into the delivery room wearing one of her long, historical tartan skirts and a peasant-style blouse that she wore for the pie shop, and she gave Colleen a hug around her neck. Colleen licked her face. “You’re finally doing it. Woohoo. Me next.”

Robert glanced at Heather, appearing a little concerned.

Heather laughed. “Don’t give me that look, Robert. I’m fine. You should have seen the expression on my brothers’ faces while we were working at my shop when I got the newsfrom Enrick that Colleen was in labor. I told them that one of them had to bring me here to the vet clinic right away. All three of them brought me as if two had to watch me while the other drove, even though I told them several times that Colleen had gone into labor, not me.”

Enrick joined them in a hurry. “You’re okay, right, Heather?”

Heather chuckled and gave him a hug and kissed him. “Do you need me in here, or is it getting too crowded?”

Maisie stepped up and said, “Heather, you look like you’re ready to deliver any minute. Why don’t you go enjoy the refreshments and rest?” Maisie was certain Heather should be just relaxing and visiting with the other wolves, unless she felt she had to stay for the delivery. But it could take hours.

“Yeah, I agree,” Robert said.

Edeen agreed too. “We’ve got Colleen covered with Robert, Grant, and the rest of us here. We’ll tell you when the babies are here.”

“Alright then.” Heather took Enrick’s hand, and they left the clinic to go to Robert’s house for refreshments.

Not long after that, Callum and Oran came with refreshments for everyone in the delivery room to sustain them, including a bowl of ice chips for Colleen. “The open house is going great,” Oran told Robert. “Everyone feels this is the perfect celebration for the babies coming too, since we are all gathered together. Ethan’s helping out too.”

“I’m glad everyone’s having a good time,” Robert said. “Thanks so much for the food and drinks. Tell Chef heoutdid himself again.”

“We sure will,” Callum said.

Then Heather’s brothers left to continue to enjoy the open house with the other wolves.

Colleen got up and started walking again, waiting for the inevitable, when Callum suddenly rushed back into the delivery room and announced, “Heather’s water broke!” He sounded like their greatest enemy was ready to breach the castle walls.

Enrick was bringing Heather into the delivery room, and she was saying, “It will probably take hours for this to happen. Everyone, quit panicking.”

Robert smiled at her. “Come join the party.”

“See? Colleen hasn’t even delivered her first pup yet.” Heather motioned to her sister-in-law.

“What do you want us to do, Doc?” Enrick asked.

“You’re still having your babies as a wolf, right?” Robert asked.

“Aye,” Enrick said.

Heather poked at him as if to say it was still her decision to make. “Aye. I know either way can have complications, but I want to do this as a wolf.”

“I know we remove our clothes and shift in front of each other,” Edeen said, “but maybe Heather wants a little privacy while Maisie and I help her undress.”

“Aye, thanks,” Heather said, and then Enrick kissed her and he, Grant, and Callum left the delivery room.

Robert got things ready for another delivery while Edeen and Maisie helped Heather remove her clothes.

“Do you realize we have a full moon?” Heather asked.

“Not until Colleen mentioned it,” Robert said, “though it’s true that there are more wolf-shifter births then. For humans, it’s just an unproven myth that there are more births during the full moon, since there’s no real evidence to corroborate it.”

Once Heather was undressed, she shifted and licked Colleen’s face while she was lying down, panting.