Page 205 of Beneath the Blue Moon

“Thank you, Casey.That’s all I can ask for.”

As I head for the stairs, the children become particularlyrestless.I place my hand on my belly, rubbing it in a circular motion.Lukekicks and EJ follows quickly.I grab the banister and Ethan rushes to my side,holding me up.I’m now being kicked from every angle.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know,” I answer.

He helps me sit on the stairs, and I lift my top.I gasp aseight little feet push at my stomach.They’ve never kicked like this before,all at once.There’s a popping sensation and then warm liquid trickling down mylegs.I squeeze Ethan’s hand, and his eyes widen in surprise.He jumps to hisfeet, pacing nervously.Where’s my alpha husband?I expected him to take chargeof the situation, not become a Nervous Nelly.He has a million thoughts runningthrough his mind, and I can’t keep up.

I’mnota Nervous Nelly.

Yeah?Tell that to someone else.

“What is it, son?”Victor asks.

He turns to his dad with a blank expression.“The babies, they’recoming.”

“Okay, just take her upstairs and I’ll call Clara.Calmdown.By the end of the night, you’ll be holding your children in your arms.”

That seems to calm him down.He scoops me up in his arms andtakes me back to the bedroom.The kicking intensifies, and by the time heplaces me on the bed, I’m in agony.I grab his hand and feel my nails piercehis skin.He doesn’t even flinch.

“Is it supposed to be this bad this quickly?”I ask.

“No.It’s not.”

I jerk my head toward Helena in surprise.I didn’t hear orsmell her approaching.She walks in with a confidence I saw no trace ofearlier.

“Get some pillows behind her.We need to make her ascomfortable as possible.And get her out of those wet clothes.”

Ethan is stunned, staring at his mother like she justsprouted another head.Just as he’s about to kick her out, I stop him.

“It’s okay.Just do it.”

He shifts his attention to me and begins piling pillowsbehind me.The pain is getting so intense I’d shake hands with the Devil rightnow if that would help me.The kids’ thoughts are moving at a mile per second,and I can’t pin down a coherent word.I cry out as I feel them all pushingagainst my stomach.It’s like they’re trying to fight their way out.

“Baby?”Ethan says, his voice laced with worry.

I scream and grab his arm as I feel my ribs cracking one byone.My wolf is fighting for control.Falling back on the pillows, I allow herto take over.Vaguely, I hear Ethan shouting my name.Before the world goesdark, I see Clara rushing into the room.

***

I open my eyes and find my gorgeous husband smiling down atme.As the fog in my brain clears, I feel the pulling sensation on my chest.Irealize I’m in wolf form, and there are four tiny, perfect pups suckling at mybreasts.All the boys are brown like their father, and little Katie got my redfur.They are absolutely beautiful.

“Yes they are,” Ethan says.

Clara, Helena, and Victor excuse themselves, giving us someprivacy.I close my eyes as exhaustion gets the better of me.I listen to thechildren as they feed away, expressing how glad they are to be able to movearound but how cold it is.When they start to cry, I open my eyes.I’m back inhuman form, and so are they.Ethan quickly wraps them in their blankets andcovers me with a sheet.I manage to sit up, and he places Luke in my arms.Iadjust him to make room and then accept Kyle.As I stare down at them,everything clicks into place.Everything I need is in this room with me.I glanceat Ethan as he settles next to me with EJ and Katie.The way he’s looking atthem makes the pain and discomfort of the last nine months dissipate.I’dhave a million more just to see that expression on his face.He turns to mewith a smirk.

No problem, Mrs.McKenzie.I’m ready to start right now.

I could pretend to be outraged, but the fact of the matteris… so am I.