Page 43

B y the time everyone helps me hobble out to Amy’s minivan, another contraction stops us at the doors. But with Noah’s coziest black T-shirt draped around me, hugging my tensing belly along with the hands of my dearest people, I close my eyes, breathing through it. Noah pre-scented the T-shirt for my birth bag, leaving it with the sweetest blend of excitement, adoration, and calming comfort for me, but I don’t need it as much as I expected to; the gorgeous, flowery blend of my best friends rooting for me smell just as delightful, ending each vicious contraction with pleased tingles down my spine.

In the back of Amy’s minivan, I nuzzle against Noah’s shoulder, phasing in and out of awareness of the outside world as instinct overcomes me. Kira and Amy chat in the front of the van, their voices low and soothing as they escort us safely to our den. Yasmine leaves us be for the most part, only chiming in with quiet jokes that ease the tension between Noah’s brows. Noah’s palm sweeps circles over my belly, loving on Ari with me.

But his breath quivers as he kisses my head.

Stopping his hand low on my belly, I laze my eyes open. Swollen, terrified eyes stare back. But for some reason, I don’t lapse into fear with him.

Giving Noah a soft smile, I brush the tip of his nose with mine. “I’m in pain, but I want to be for this pup you’ve given me. Thank you.”

Noah’s chin quivers just before I kiss him, tugging at my heartstrings. As his hand immerses itself in my hair, drawing me into a deeper kiss, my stomach flips at the cushy pressure of his swollen lips; he’s gentle with my body, but not my mouth, his tenderness encompassing my being with his love. I hum in bliss, urging him closer. When my belly tightens beneath his palm, Noah flinches, tempted to pull back. But I lean in, kissing him harder.

Huffing through the pain with our lips locked, I cup Noah’s sweet face. Noah’s tears slip down my palm, but Noah pulls me in tighter, his breath hitching as his mouth opens for a deeper, tonguing kiss.

I know you signed up for this, and so did I, but it kills me to watch you suffering in my arms when I can’t do anything. I love you more than anything. My poor mate whimpers against my lips, the desperate sound squeezing my heart.

Breaking our kiss, I heave through the end of the contraction, pressing our foreheads together. Feel into me, Noah. I was so scared earlier, but I’m in some sort of meditative, determined state now—all thanks to your love.

Noah lets out a sharp exhale. I open my eyes to find him gushing with tears around a wobbly smile.

Caressing his wet cheek, I nod. We’re okay. And I just love you to pieces. My heart can hardly contain it already, so I can’t imagine how striking it’s about to be to see you holding our child. You reminded me to think of Ari, so it’s my turn: let’s think of them together.

“Thank you,” he whispers against my lips, giving me another soft kiss. Scooting in as close as he can in the back seat, Noah cuddles me as devotedly as he cradles Ari in our bond, his wolf panting with nerves between licking Ari’s little soul with soft, adoring whines.

I stare into Noah’s eyes, clinging to his hands. His unwavering faith in my strength outweighs his fear, his wolf shining through as he coaxes me through it. Every inch of me loves him. Ari isn’t here yet, but I see someone new in Noah already—the sweet father of our Little Wolf. Beside him, I can manage this.

I can’t bear to let go of Noah, not even after we successfully exit the minivan. It’s a slow, agonizing walk, leaving me a mere minute or two to hobble forward before I stoop against a tree to shudder through another contraction. I’ve never felt pain to such an unbearable degree, unable to keep from screaming.

But my dearest friends aren’t deterred.

“Goddess, you’re fucking incredible.” Noah massages me all over.

Amy rubs my back with him. “Seriously. You’re a goddamn rockstar, A.”

Yasmine chuckles. “I’m honestly afraid of how tough Ari is going to be.”

“Dude, same, what the fuck,” Kira hisses.

Our soft giggling fills the forest, replacing my wails from moments prior.

“I love you all so damn much,” I breathe.

But the second we find Rainn and Lilian waiting at our den’s entrance with excited smiles, sadness caves my chest in.

I wish Mom and Dad were standing there too. And I wish Noah had his dad to guide him through his first day as a father holding his child.

A tremendous sorrow crashes through our bond. Noah sucks in a tight breath, his arm stiff against my back.

Oh, Aliya... Are you—

Before Noah can finish his thoughts, Rainn snuggles up to his arm. “My big brother!”

Breaking into a smile, Noah nuzzles her head. “Hey, Rainn.”

Rainn gives my hand a soft squeeze. “I’ve been so excited to see you both. I’ve heard how far you’re progressing, Luna! You’re doing so well!”

Lilian steadies me as she guides us around a boulder. “You are. I’m so proud of you both.”

My shoulders soften. I don’t have my parents, and Ritchie isn’t with us, but Yasmine and Amy provide us with laughter, Rainn fills any space she enters with joy, and Lilian’s soothing, nurturing scent fills just enough of the gap in my heart to carry me through.

But at the den’s threshold, I freeze; Noah’s newly-cooled exterior breaks into wracking tears.

Lilian’s eyebrows arch. “Oh, my sweet—” Lilian reaches for Noah, pulling him into a hug. She kisses his head, over and over. “You're doing so well too, sweetheart.”

Noah sobs against her shoulder, flipping my heart; I’ve never seen him trust her like this. But now that I am, tears slip down my cheeks.

“I don't know how to help her well enough, Mom. I just love her so much.” Noah’s voice comes out shattered, tearing at my core.

I grip Amy’s hand tighter, unable to stabilize my breath. Noah might think I’m struggling through this alone, but with how deeply our souls have intertwined, I can feel my mate working through his own birthing process.

And Lilian holds her son through it. Releasing a wave of nurturing, soothing love in her scent, Lilian draws a helpless whimper from Noah’s lips.

But I can feel the relief she provides his sore heart, stunning me speechless.

For the first time, I see it: I’ve been so worried about all the ways I could accidentally hurt dear Ari once they’re born that I almost forgot how deeply I can help Ari feel loved.

Lilian’s softened voice lowers Noah’s shoulders. “You’re going to keep being there for her, just like you’re already doing, right? That’s what she needs from you most, so you’re doing just fine. It’s all going to be okay. You’ll both be okay.”

“Okay. Okay, thank you.” Noah nods, blowing out a slow breath. When he turns to me, his eyebrows arch once more. “I just love her with my whole heart. I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to hold her pup.”

“Oh, honey ...” Lilian strokes his back. But as I waddle closer, Noah’s tearful expression warms into a weary smile. We reach for each other, pulling each other into a tight embrace.

“I adore you,” I whisper.

“I love you too—” Noah tenses as my forehead warps in pain, my next contraction hitting me hard and fast. “Oh, shit. Breathe, Aliya.”

Sputtering out a short, fast breath, I clutch Noah’s shoulders as hard as I can. But it’s not enough; grabbing fistfuls of his shirt, I let out a heaving, low groan as my whole body tenses. A force beyond my control sends an undulating motion down my body, impelling me to stoop over and produce low humming sounds I’ve never heard from myself.

As Noah holds my hips steady, his refreshed mindset shines through his soft-spoken words against my ear. “Good girl. Good, you’re doing so well.”

But as my body bears down, forcing me to tense my stomach as if it’s preparing to push, fear strikes my heart. My eyes jolt open, my active labor groans morphing into a cry.

Rainn gasps, and Lilian rubs my shoulder. “Oh sweetheart, take it easy, if you can.”

I shake my head, coming up for air with heaving, groaning breaths.

Noah grasps my cheeks. “Hey, hey— You’re okay. You’ve got this.”

I shake my head again, gripping his hands. “What if I can’t do this? I don’t think I can, I—”

“Oh, A...” Amy’s careful touch as she tucks my hair behind my ear sends me into panting moans—one contraction only leading to the next.

But Rainn rubs my back. “Wait, this is such a good sign! That means you’re almost through it—this is just the toughest part before they’re here.”

I suck in a tight breath.

She’s right; I feel it in my soul.

Gripping Noah’s taut arms, I gaze up at him. “Oh, my God, Noah.”

“Holy shit.” Noah’s eyes are as wide as mine, a hint of golden peeking through his teal irises telling me this reality is hitting his soul just as deeply as mine. He lets out a breathy sigh, kissing me with careful, quick pecks. “Goddess, Aliya —” He kisses me harder before leading me to our nest. “You’re so beautiful—” His voice quivers through awe, pulling a touched whimper from my lips. “I’m so fucking proud of you, I can’t believe it.”

Despite my fear, the most vivid excitement I’ve ever felt in my body restarts my labor shakes, vibrating my body in Noah’s arms.

Noah’s chest tightens against my cheek. “Shit, let’s get you laying down in your nest.”

“I was about to say—” Rainn trails off as I speed-waddle from her side.

No one has to convince me to move: some sort of knowing guides me, urging me to pull my mate to my nest.

“Good girl. Follow your instincts.” Noah’s purring voice sends a pleased shiver down my spine.

With our hands clasped tight, we step into our nest, our dearest loved ones easing my body into a cushy blanket pile. No one has disturbed my nest—not even Natalia, our Pack Doctor waiting here with a bright smile despite her busy schedule.

This task feels like an insurmountable mountain trail, stretching miles above my head. Yet it’s here. My body is ready to bring Ari into the world.

I’m tempted to slip into fear, an icy chill striking my core at all that could go wrong.

But my wolf takes full control. Noah attempts to get behind me to hold me through active labor, but my wolf is adamant I remain on my side, clutching Noah tight.

“I can’t let go of you. Lay with me.” Nuzzling into Noah’s chest, I purr through my tightening abdomen.

“Okay. I’ve got you.” Noah holds my waist steady.

I blow out steady currents of air against his chest, my belly tensing as another wave drags my belly down, down, down. I have no qualms about yelling my heart out, the sharpest pressure I’ve felt yet weighing down on my pelvis.

“Holy shit, this is happening. I can feel it too,” Noah whispers.

My heart spikes in both excitement and fear as Natalia lifts my thigh.

“Pardon me, Luna. Let me make sure you’re not straining— Oh!”

My heart flips as I glance between my legs to find Natalia beaming.

But it’s Amy’s delighted cry of joy that sends a thrill through my chest. “ Aliya— I can see their head!”

Rainn’s laugh is wet with giddy tears. “They have a ton of hair!”

Meeting Noah’s startled eyes, I shake my head in disbelief. Noah pants alongside me, readjusting his clammy grip on my waist. Tears prick the corners of his eyes as he strokes my sweaty hair off my forehead. “Goddess, Aliya. You’re the most incredible wolf—”

I cut off his words with a sharp cry, my features contorting as my body tenses.

Noah presses his forehead against mine. “You’re so fucking powerful. Good job, sweet girl—”

But my eyes zip open. I force my claws to unlatch from poor Noah’s arm, panting through each breath. “Noah, please—”

“Please, what?”

“I want you to be the first to hold Ari. I want you to catch them.”

Noah’s breath hitches. His eyes race between mine, torn between fear and absolute gratitude. “Oh, Aliya — A-are you sure—”

I break into a strangled groan. “Right now, Noah—”

“Oh my—” Noah cradles my sweaty head to his chest, his breath just as rapid as mine. “Someone hold her for me, please.”

I reach for my best friend, only to find Amy teary-eyed with the brightest smile. As Noah trades places with her, Natalia leaving room for him between my knees, Amy dashes for me, hugging me to her chest.

Her voice buzzes against my ear, steady despite her pounding heart. “I’ve got you, A.”

Instinct draws me to all fours. Amy joins me, allowing me to stand on my knees and hang my arms over her shoulders.

Noah’s hot, wide palms sweep down my rippling back, following my rocking motions as I moan through searing pain. “Good, good girl— Oh, Goddess, Aliya, I see them too—”

The loving whimper in his voice radiates through me as my body bears down once more, everyone’s hands on me just as encouraging as they are soothing; we’re so loved. And by proxy, so is Ari.

Amy kisses the top of my head. “They’re almost here, babe! You’ve got this—”

I press against her, unable to keep myself from screaming. The sound echoes throughout the den as Noah gasps behind me, his happiness in our bond bolstering my power. Natalia gives quick, rushed instructions in his ear as I check behind myself, fury striking my chest as a sudden pinch blasts up my spine.

“Sorry, gorgeous, sorry— I know it hurts, sweet Omega, we just have to turn Ari—” Noah doesn’t meet my eyes until I groan, relieved they’ve finally stopped easing Ari into position to birth their shoulders. “I see their sweet face, Aliya. They have your beautiful lips.”

The amazement in Noah’s tearful smile stirs a renewed determination within me. I want to witness the love on his face when he holds them. I need to.

“You can do this,” Amy whispers into my ear.

For the first time today, I nod in agreement—just before I bear down once more. I’ve never felt tearing pain like this, my body screaming alongside me like it’s ripping in half. But Noah’s thumbs massage me tenderly through my cries—until a small pop of Ari’s shoulder slips from me.

I release a heaving sigh, a wave of relief washing down me as Ari slips from my body, caught by big, adoring hands.

Noah’s emotions hit me before I can turn around to look at him, a chorus of our loved ones crying alongside his singing heart. When I flip over my shoulder, watching my weeping mate clear our baby’s airway with his pinky finger, I witness the purest joy ease his frightened features, leaving the tenderest of love in its place. As Ari’s first cry echoes throughout the den, spurring on a cheer, I burst into smiling, euphoric tears, gripping my heart as I breathe through the deepest love I’ve ever felt. Every inch of Ari is beautiful. Their flailing, tiny limbs are met by massive, loving hands, cocooning their startled body safely in Noah’s arms. He stoops over, kissing their wet head with trembling lips.

Noah’s aching voice comes out delicate. “Oh, I love them, Aliya.”

Reaching for Ari, I’m overcome by hitching, giddy sobs as Noah eases our crying baby against my chest. When we learned about Lycan births, I was so afraid this portion would feel unnatural to me, ruining our joy. But as instinct urges me to lick Ari clean, serenity fills me; Noah and I bathe Ari’s body together, preparing their skin for our loving touch throughout the rest of our lives. To my purest delight, Ari’s tensed limbs soften beneath our tongues. I nuzzle them all over, wanting nothing but for them to feel at peace.

Noah shakes just as heavily as I do as he returns me to his lap, adrenaline thumping his heart against my back. As I clutch his sweet pup to my chest, I don’t know where to look; everywhere I turn, there’s someone I adore. Pulling Noah in for a deep kiss, I smile against his lips, snuggling Ari in our warmth as our friends drape us in cozy blankets. Noah’s bare chest is hot against my back as Rainn and Amy help us undress, allowing us to cuddle Ari skin-to-skin.

“They’re a whole eleven pounds, two ounces, King Luna,” Natalia whispers.

Noah’s jaw drops, and everyone’s smiling, crying faces break into hushed laughter alongside us.

But as I look down, my heart skyrockets into my throat.

I didn’t think our huge wolf baby would open their eyes so soon, but as Ari’s cries ease into disgruntled coos, their grumpy little frown softens, revealing furious, dark brown eyes. Ari’s vivid expression of disappointment in the cold, bright world spurs the freshest laughter from my chest.

“Oh, Goddess —” Noah whisper-laughs with me. We coo in adoration as Ari smacks their lips, their eyes lazing shut once more.

Noah’s fingertips sweep over Ari’s dark, thick hair as he sighs. “Well, shit. You don’t ever need to worry about protecting this gorgeous pup alone. I’d die for either of you without a second thought.”

I scowl, glaring at him over my shoulder. “Please, do not, Noah Greenfield.”

Breaking into soft giggles, Noah kisses my temple. “Trust me, I wouldn’t want to let you go, Luna. Especially now that I’ve seen just as angry of a little frown on your pup’s face. I have a new sweet Omega to love now—well, as long as they still feel like they’re an Omega, that is. They certainly smell like one, and it’s—”

I hadn’t processed it yet, but he’s right; Ari’s scent has Noah’s most beautiful flowery hum to it, but with a spicy hint of jasmine. As Noah breaks into overjoyed, touched tears, I draw him in for a kiss, my eyes watering alongside his.

They’re gorgeous, Noah. They remind me so much of the beauty I see in you.

As if he can’t help himself, Noah releases the most delicious cinnamon-sweet Omega scent, filling the air with soothing comfort. As Ari’s little body softens in my arms, easing their furrowed expression into relaxed bliss, my soul reels in awe. I have two sweet Omegas now too; after all the abuse Noah’s wolf has faced, he’s holding our Omega pup so tenderly. I can’t help but think that by holding our Ari, Noah’s also cradling the Omega side of his wolf. The one that saved him, then saved us all.

As Ari snuggles into us, limp in relief to be warm once more, I can’t stop kissing their soft little head, breathing in their sweet scent. Closing my eyes, I dive into our inner world. There, I’m stunned by what I find.

There aren’t two of us here; there’s three. The teeniest lump of fluff against Noah’s fur is all I can see at first, excitement racing down my spine. My wolf nibbles at Noah’s neck, her tail swinging wildly despite her exhaustion—rejoicing in Ari’s newly solid presence. But when I finally see them up close, I can hardly breathe through how cute our pup is.

Hiding within Noah’s fluffy, black belly fur, tufts of gray and black downy fuzz poke out in every direction. The littlest ears I’ve ever seen stick up, paws flopping like they don’t know how to orient themselves just yet. As Ari lets out a squeaky whine, Noah’s and my wolf break into a pant, overflowing with adoration. No matter how hard Noah tries to calm his vibrating wolf, Ari’s tiny body excites their father into uncontainable tail wags.

Opening my eyes, I’m delighted to find Noah’s slow, pleased blinks staring back.

After giving us our moment, Lilian, Rainn, Amy, Kira, Yasmine, and Dave take their turns stroking Ari’s little tuft of black hair, sharing birthday wishes and telling them how much they’re loved.

I pictured our little family as Noah, Ari, and me, but now that I see everyone together to celebrate this new pup in our arms, I realize they have the biggest, warmest family I’ve ever met, extending to the stranger wolves taking turns guarding our peace outside our den as the year’s very first snowfall mutes the forest into a soothing silence.