Page 53 of Cursed Wolf

“Oh, my goddess,” Meira snaps, and I see the slight tremor of anxiety on her face as well.

I’m guessing this is her first time helping someone have a baby.

“Where do we go?” I ask.

“I’ve had one of our guest rooms turned into a birthing room just in case this happened.” She wrings her hands as her words come fast. I can tell she’s nervous, but she’s so sweet and helpful.

Narah holds my arm, smiling but crying. “I’m scared but excited.”

“Me, too, gorgeous.”

As we rush up the stairs, Meira barks at everyone we pass to get the nurse and orders towels, hot water, disinfectant, and a bunch of other things I don’t think are needed. I’m guessing she’s as overwhelmed as we are.

The room we enter is large, with a small bed, a bedside table, and a large table to the side, piled with towels. Setting Narah on the bed on her back, I push the wild strands of hair from her brow.

“Everything’s going to be fine. You’ll see. Don’t worry.” I’m rattling, and she laughs at me, reaching up to take my hand.

“Take a breath, Nikos. You won’t be any help if you hyperventilate and pass out on me.” Her stare softens, and she kisses my knuckles.

“I’ll be back,” Meira states, then marches out of the room.

Lost to my Narah, I’d completely forgotten she was with us.

“Do you think I broke your water?” The first thing coming to mind rushes out of my mouth.

“I doubt it. When it’s time, it’s time.”

When she scrunches up her face and squeezes my hand, I freeze on the spot.

“Narah?”

“It’s…” She rubs her belly. “Just a tightness around my belly caught my breath.”

It isn’t long before Meira bursts back into the room with an older woman dressed in a green dress and an apron. Did Meira bring in the kitchen chef?

“This is Lily, our doctor, nurse, midwife, and anything we need.” Meira’s words are heavy with her ragged breaths.

“Hello, Narah,” Lily says with the softest voice and the kindest smile I’ve seen in a long time. “I’m going to have a quick look to make sure things look alright and how far along you are, okay?”

“Of course,” Narah says.

“Now, bend your knees up and open them for me. It’s uncomfortable right now, but trust me, soon you won’t care.” She laughs at her own joke, even though the rest of us aren’t laughing. We all look harried as if we’ve had ten cups too many of coffee.

I hold on to Narah’s arm while Lily inspects her. Meira comes in and shuts the door shut, fiddling with the new bundle of towels she brought into the room.

“Oh, you are doing wonderfully. The baby really wants to come out, it seems,” she says, catching our attention. “You’re already five centimeters dilated. It shouldn’t be long before you go into full labor.”

“It feels like the baby wants to come out now,” Narah gasps as she tries to push her dress down to cover herself. I help her, then sit up on the bed next to her, holding her close.

“Not yet, but soon,” Lily says, then turns her attention to Meira.

“I can’t wait to meet our baby,” I say, trying to distract Narah from the ache she must be feeling. “I don’t mind what we have as long as they’re healthy and get your beauty. Oh, we haven’t decided on what to call the baby yet,” I say, finding myself doing that panic talk. My adrenaline is soaring with excitement.

“Figured it’s something we can all decide once we know what we’re having.” Her eyelids look heavy.

“How about I get behind you and hold you against me?” I’ll do anything to bring her ease when the contractions hit.

“I’d like that,” she says. “I want you next to me the whole time. I hope the other three come back soon, so they don’t miss out.”

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