Page 26 of Finding Forever with the Alpha Pack (Return to Wolf Creek #4)

Chapter 26

Grace

It’s been almost three weeks since we cut the cakes, and I’m absolutely mammoth . I’ve reached the point where I’m beyond uncomfortable. I can’t sit, lie down, or walk for more than a few minutes without feeling like my body is rebelling against me. Everything hurts . The past week, I’ve been stuck on bed rest since I’m already a week past the usual time for multiples to be born.

A yawn escapes me as I shift, trying to get out of bed. Every movement feels like I’m dragging myself through quicksand. “Where are you going?” Ruby is by my side in an instant, taking my arm to help me.

“I need to pee.” She steadies me, helping me waddle to the bathroom. Once inside, I handle my business, but when I go to stand up, I notice the mucous plug in the toilet. My stomach drops, and a jolt of nervous excitement shoots through me. It’s time .

I wash my hands quickly, grabbing my phone and firing off a text to the family chat. The countdown begins. The responses come in seconds, rapid-fire from all the guys. "Ruby?" I call out.

"Yeah?" She’s at my side again, and just as she grabs my arm, the first contraction hits me like a freight train. I gasp, gripping the counter to steady myself.

"Get Barrett and Lorcan. I need to go to the nest." My voice is strained, fighting through the pain, but before Ruby can even move, Barrett comes skidding into the room, literally bouncing off the doorframe in his rush.

"I’m here... Lorcan’s already in the nest waiting for us." Barrett slips my arm over his shoulder, and with Ruby on my other side, they help me waddle down the hallway.

But halfway there, another contraction hits hard. I double over, curling forward, my breath coming out in short, panting gasps. "Gracie?" I hear Lorcan’s panicked voice echo from the nest, concern heavy in his tone.

"Almost there..." Barrett calls back as we resume our slow, agonizing walk.

Suddenly, splash . My water breaks, drenching us all. I wince, embarrassed. "I’m so sorry..."

"Don’t worry about it, love. Let’s focus on getting you into the nest and comfortable." Ruby kisses my temple, her voice soft and calming.

"Okay, Mom..." We stop again at the doorway as another contraction tears through me. I whine, clutching my stomach. "Oh, this is so much more uncomfortable than last time." My voice cracks as they pass me off to Lorcan, who’s waiting with open arms.

"Shhh... I’ve got ye, lass," he murmurs, resting his hands on my stomach. Almost immediately, the sharp edge of the pain dulls, leaving only a faint ache. "Everything will happen as it needs ta, but without pain."

I collapse against him, snuggling into his chest as I lay on my side, my head resting on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "Favorite mate today," I mutter with a half-hearted smile.

“Did we miss it?” Conrad’s voice rings out. Before Lorcan can respond, the sound of hurried footsteps thunders down the hallway, followed by a squeal and a thud. Ethan’s bellowing laughter echoes after the commotion. I glance up to see all four of my mates trying to cram through the door at once. By the looks of it, Griffin was the one who took the tumble.

"No, you silly boys, it’s just starting. I’ll call the midwife and clean up the hallway," Ruby says, pushing past them like a seasoned pro.

Ethan kneels next to the nest, reaching out to touch me with a hesitance I rarely see in him. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," I say with a weak smile, though my eyes linger on Lorcan. "He’s my favorite right now."

"I’m nae doin’ anything special, lass. Just takin’ the pain from ye." Lorcan kisses the crown of my head and I sigh in relief.

"It’s phenomenal," I admit, my voice light with the tension finally easing. "Natural birth is painful as all hell, and I have to do it three times today." I force a laugh, watching as my mates cringe in unison.

"I’ll be right here with ye the entire time, lass," Lorcan promises, his voice soft as he rests his cheek on the top of my head. I can feel the steady rise and fall of his chest as he holds me through each contraction, the pain now a distant whisper.

What feels like ten thousand hours later, the unbearable pressure in my crotch intensifies, and I know it’s time. The urge to push is overwhelming. I shift again, trying to find some relief, but it’s no use.

“What do you need me ta do, lass?” Lorcan’s voice is gentle, but there’s a tension beneath it. He adjusts his position to mirror mine, bringing his knees up on either side of me for support, his body close enough to be my anchor.

“I don’t know...” I whine, my frustration bleeding through every word. Barrett slides in beside me, taking his place with a determined look on his face. Unfortunately, the midwife’s presence grates on my nerves—her unmated scent makes her feel like an intruder in my nest, and I can barely tolerate it.

“Gracie, I’m going to look and see if I can see the baby,” Barrett says gently, but there’s an edge of excitement in his voice. I shift again, trying to get more comfortable, though at this point, nothing really helps. Barrett lifts the sheet, and a grin spreads across his face.

“I see hair! Can’t tell if it’s dirty blonde or red through the goo,” he says with a laugh, and my heart flutters despite the pain. Ruby and Agnes move around the room like clockwork, handing Barrett towels and other supplies. Barrett’s taken this whole thing seriously—after the last pregnancy, he went and took classes on being a midwife. Or is it a mid-husband?

“Next contraction, give me a good push,” he instructs, his voice steady. Griffin and Ethan lean in, each one bracing my feet in preparation. Their presence calms me, but the pressure is still building, unbearable and urgent.

The tensing begins, the contraction hitting like a tidal wave, and I curl forward, pushing with everything I have. A deep growl rumbles from my chest as I feel the baby shift, moving lower. The sensation is intense, every inch of movement magnified.

“One more time, Gracie...” Barrett’s voice reaches me, distant but reassuring. I feel his hands moving, suctioning the baby’s nostrils, and I gather my strength. As the next contraction surges, I bear down again, gritting my teeth and pushing with everything left in me.

Then, relief. The baby slides free, and I collapse against Lorcan, panting. Agnes offers me a small sip of ice water, and I take it gratefully, the coolness soothing my dry throat. I barely register what’s happening as I flop back onto Lorcan, my body exhausted, but a sudden cry fills the room.

“It’s a girl, Gracie,” Barrett announces with a smile, and my heart nearly bursts. I reach for her, holding my daughter close, and sniff at the crown of her tiny head. The smell of new life fills my senses and tears well up in my eyes. I look down at her perfect, tiny face, and as her emerald eyes meet mine, I can’t hold back the tears any longer.

I glance at Lorcan, gifting him my vision. “Meet your daughter, Lor. She has your beautiful green eyes.”

A stuttering breath escapes his lips, and he kisses my temple. “I have a wee one?” His voice cracks, full of wonder and emotion, and he reaches out to touch her, his fingers gentle. “Maeve,” he whispers. “I wanna name her Maeve, if it’s alright with you, lass...” He presses several kisses to my temple, his joy radiating through every touch.

“Of course, Maeve, it is,” I sigh, my heart full as I hold our daughter for a moment longer. The world around me fades, just the three of us in this quiet, perfect moment. I feel the weight of everything slip away.

Soon after, I pass the placenta, and Ruby steps forward, bringing the cord to Lorcan. He bites through it, following tradition, as Barrett finishes up. I close my eyes, content and at peace, holding Maeve close.

I don’t get much of a break after Maeve is born. The room buzzes with movement as Nicolai carefully takes Maeve from my arms, allowing me to focus on delivering the next baby. My body is already exhausted, but there’s no time to rest—another little life is waiting.

Barrett’s gentle touch grounds me as his hand strokes my thigh. “You can do it, Grace. One more big push,” he encourages, his voice soft but steady.

I grit my teeth, bearing down with all the strength I have left. A growl escapes my throat as I push hard, feeling the baby’s weight shift. And then, the sound I’ve been waiting for—the baby’s cries fill the air. I let out a deep, exhausted sigh, leaning back against Lorcan’s solid frame. Agnes is there immediately, offering me water and wiping my brow, while Barrett is already busy cleaning off the baby.

“A beautiful baby boy,” Barrett announces, his voice full of pride as he passes our son to me.

I stare down at the tiny bundle in my arms, my heart swelling with love. I nuzzle the crown of his platinum blonde head, inhaling the sweet scent of him, a laugh bubbling out of me as I watch Barrett moving around, preparing for the next baby.

“Hey, Daddy,” I tease, a playful glint in my eyes.

“Hmm?” Barrett glances up, clearly puzzled.

“Mind cutting the cord?” I ask, grinning.

The room goes silent for a beat, and everyone turns to stare at Barrett. My poor, sweet omega, still blissfully unaware of the bomb I’ve just dropped on him. He looks around, completely lost. “Who’s cutting the cord?” he asks, glancing at the others like one of them will step up.

Nicolai pats him on the back, smiling. “You are.”

Barrett’s eyes widen, darting from me to the baby, then back to me. “I’m what?”

“Barrett,” I say with a laugh, doing my best impersonation of Maury. “You are the father.”

“Holy shit, I have a son!” Barrett leaps forward, his face lighting up with pure joy. He showers me with kisses, then leans down to kiss our son before clamping off the cord and biting through it, still buzzing with excitement. His reaction makes everyone laugh, and before I know it, he’s stolen our baby away from me, cradling him as he leaves the nest.

But I don’t have time to rest. “Who’s going to deliver the last baby?” Ethan asks, looking around.

I roll my eyes at him, shaking my head. “Get in here, you big lug. It’s easy.” He hesitates for a moment before climbing into the nest with me. I brace my foot on his knee, preparing to push again, and his eyes dart nervously between the suction bulb, towels, and clamps.

“What do I do?” he asks, sounding a little out of his depth.

“Support the baby’s head and guide it out,” his mother instructs, sliding up beside him to offer guidance. We’ve suspected this last one is his since the beginning, and I can see the nervous excitement in his eyes.

“Okay, I can do that,” Ethan mutters, his face determined. Ruby quickly sanitizes his hands and helps him slip on the sterile gloves.

“I’m gonna start pushing,” I grunt, curling forward, using Lorcan’s legs as support. The pressure builds, and I can feel the baby moving down.

“I see the head!” Ethan’s excitement is infectious, even if I’m too busy to laugh. “You’re doing so good, Gracie,” he whispers, his voice filled with awe. He caresses my thigh as he lowers his head to watch. “Come on, baby, you can do it. Almost there…”

With one final push, I feel the baby slip from within me. I collapse back against Lorcan, letting out a long, exhausted sigh as his hands move over my body, sending healing energy through me. My eyes flutter closed for a moment, trying to catch my breath.

“Gracie…” Ethan’s voice is different now, almost reverent. His eyes flick between me and the baby, and my heart sinks, fear clawing its way into my chest.

“Yes?” I manage, my voice barely a whisper as Lorcan helps me sit up.

“We have a son,” Ethan says softly, his eyes glistening with tears as he offers me the baby. I nuzzle him, inhaling deeply, praying to any god who will listen that this child is Ethan’s.

The scent hits me—sweet, unmistakable, like toasted marshmallows. Relief floods through me, and I look up at Ethan, who still looks terrified. “You have a son to name and a cord to cut,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.

Ethan falls to his knees, tears streaming down his face. The last time I saw him cry like this was when I was dying. Lorcan gently slips out from behind me, and Ethan dives in, holding both me and his son tightly. His mom clamps the cord, and Ethan bites through it, his tears mixing with mine as we cry together in the nest, overwhelmed by the moment.

We may look like blubbering idiots, but right now, in this moment, everything feels perfect.