Page 37 of The Guardian's True-Mate

“It’ll probably be Terrick. He’ll bite for blood.”

“Well, let’s hope Terrick has been eating right while we’ve been away,” I sighed.

“What would they do without us?” Dakota teased.

“Probably call down Scott’s parents,” I shrugged and stole a kiss before Dakota started to get dressed.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Scott

Despite everyone probably being in bed since it was the middle of the night, Dakota and Cardian beat Dara and his medical people to the house. Terrick hugged his brother and said something about them being the first to arrive.

“That’s what family does,” Cardian said. “Have you had enough blood before this really gets going?”

“I think so,” Terrick nodded.

“Blithe and Duke and maybe their mates are coming too. They’ll be someone around to make the bloodshakes if we end up needing them,” I said, from the tub as Dakota sat on the edge after washing his feet in the shower down the hall.

“How are you holding up?” he asked, tuning out the Alphas’ conversation.

“Been achy for three days. Yesterday, I was ready to bite Dara’s arm off because he said it wasn’t time to induce. My wolf said otherwise,” I told him.

“And I told you, nature was close to taking its course and with four babies and you wanting to avoid a c-section, it was best to let nature take its course,” Dara announced walking into the bathroom. “Now, as I’ve said before, the OR is ready. Del and the others are at the ready. If we get one sign of distress from you or one of the babies, we’re going there. No, ifs, ands, or buts. You can bite me then if you like, but it won’t change things.”

“I thought you said he probably won’t need a c-section,” Terrick said.

“I did and I still believe it, but with four births ahead of us, it’s best to lay down the emergency rules ahead of time,” Dara said.

I opened my mouth to say again that I didn’t want an operation, but a contraction chose that exact moment to double me over. Terrick leapt over the side of the tub and was there, behind me. I gripped his arm as he rested his hand on my belly. We’d spent most of the last few days pacing the bedroom and swaying in place as the contractions grew closer and closer together. My wolf growled into my thoughts and head bumped against my ribs. I had planned to give birth in my human form, but maybe he was more mentally prepared for multiples than I was.

“He’s shifting!” Terrick said to Dara, voice trembling.

“I expected as much. It’s okay, Terrick,” Dara said, kneeling by the tub. “We’ll let him follow his instincts unless something needs my immediate attention. Your job hasn’t changed. Though, I wouldn’t advise that you shift inside the tub. I think your hound is a bit on the large size for that.”

When my shift was complete, I leaned against Terrick panting. Shifting doesn’t usually rob me of all my energy, but I didn’t have much to begin with. Terrick stroked my fur and whispered into my ear. I focused on his heartbeat, strong and steady, and rested my eyes until the next contraction came along.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Dakota

It was lunch time the next day before we had Scott and his four pups tucked away safe and sound in bed. It’d been a long night, but he managed to bring all four of his babies into the world without needing to be rushed into Dara’s OR. Another plus was that he only nipped Dara twice and that was for trying to look over the puppies. His wolf wasn’t the friendliest toward the doctor, but everyone who came to help left the house with all their fingers intact.

First to come was a pup with big blue glowing eyes. They named him Terry after his sire. Next came his brother, another pit hound, who they named Jains, after one of Scott’s Hemlock ancestors. The wolf pups came together in the same caul, little identical girls who spent the last three months together in a little water world all their own: Syla and Shayla. They were all beautiful and healthy babies.

I rested at the kitchen table with my water-logged feet up in a chair while Cardian fried eggs and bacon. It was past breakfast time, but since I wasn’t cooking, I wasn’t about to complain. Tomorrow morning, Scott’s family would pour in and the house would be covered with his relatives. Cardian and I decided we’d talk to Bobby about staying at the other house once they didn’t need constant support for the pups. We wanted to ensure they had their privacy and bonding time with the babies while also getting the help they needed to keep functioning.

“Guys?” Terrick yawned walking into the kitchen.

“You have a bloodshake in the fridge, baby brother,” Cardian said from in front of the stove.

“My hound won’t let me sleep until I tell you,” he yawned, stretching his long arms high above his head.

“Tell me what?” Cardian glanced over his shoulder.

“You’re pregnant,” Terrick yawned again.

“Me?” Cardian chuckled. “Maybe you should get some sleep. That hound of yours too.”

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