Page 211 of Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny

“How’s Byron doing as enforcer?” I asked. “He looks like he’d be up to the job.”

“He’s great,” Flynn said. “Really taking to it, which is good.” He glanced at Steph. “There’s only so much two people can do. I haven’t filled the other spots in my council yet, so it’s nice having an extra shoulder to lean on.”

“Jace?” Kirsten said from behind me.

I turned. She looked at me with a somewhat terrified expression.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, standing up quickly.

“I think my water just broke.”

“Say what?” Flynn gasped.

“Oh, shit,” I said, rushing to her side. “Are you sure?”

“Well, either that or I somehow pissed myself after already peeing.”

“Uh…” I looked at Flynn and Steph.

Steph flapped her hand at the door. “Get the hell out of here. Go! I’ll let everyone know. Hurry, Jace.”

She didn’t have to say it a second time. I scooped Kirsten up and rushed out the door, putting her in the car and buckling the seat as she grunted in pain.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I think, maybe, that was a contraction.”

“I’ll hurry.”

I ran around the truck, jumped into the driver’s seat, and sped out of the driveway. It would have usually been a forty-minute drive to the hospital, but I nudged the speedometer up further than I usually did. My speed still stayed lower than I would have liked, but the precious cargo in my truck forced me to maintain a less psychotic speed than I wanted.

Kirsten was breathing heavily and hissing in pain every few minutes by the time we got to our destination. Someone had obviously called ahead because Reese was waiting outside with a wheelchair.

“Looks like the big day is here, huh?” he said as he opened Kirsten’s door.

“Apparently,” Kirsten grunted through clenched teeth. “Is it supposed to hurt this bad?”

Reese burst out laughing, but stopped when he saw the look on Kirsten’s face. “Sorry about that. Uh, yeah. It’s going to be a bit unpleasant, but let’s get you in here and see what we can do to mitigate that. Come on.”

He helped her into the chair and wheeled her inside. I followed, hands shaking, knees weak, heart hammering in my chest. I was terrified and excited. I would get to meet my boy. It was really happening. After a century of waiting, I’d have my baby cradled in my arms. Soon, I’d be able to look into his eyes, hold him, and listen to his heartbeat against my chest. It was surreal.

Thirty minutes later, Kirsten was set with her epidural and in much less discomfort. One of Reese’s nurses came by every fifteen minutes to check her dilation.

“Seven centimeters,” the nurse said. “We’re getting close. Do you want some ice chips or anything?”

“Yeah,” Kirsten said. “That would be great.”

“I’ll be right back.”

I placed my hand over Kirsten’s stomach, hovering an inch from the hospital gown. “Can I touch you?”

Kirsten nodded. “It’s all numb right now.”

Gliding my hand over her belly, I could feel the ripples of contracting muscle beneath, making her tummy rock-hard for a few moments.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

“I think so. I’m so nervous,” I admitted.

---