Page 277 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

“You’ve got this, Bells,” Violet called from our side.

The contractions increased after I started pushing, and I was having trouble managing the pain. I felt like I was getting split in two.

“We’re almost there, Bells. A couple more pushes,” Valeria assured me.

“You’re doing so well,” Cade whispered from behind me.

I was pretty sure I’d broken at least one of his hands in the last twenty minutes.

“We should have another contraction soon. You ready, Bells?” Valeria asked.

“No,” I whimpered.

“Yes, you are. You can do this. If I can do it, you can. You’re the strongest woman I know.”

Violet’s words filled me with strength, and I clenched my jaw, nodding at no one in particular.

When the next contraction hit, I thought about being able to hold my babies in my arms, and pushed as hard as I could. The ground started rumbling beneath us. I couldn’t control it, though. The harder I pushed, the more the room trembled.

“Breathe, my love,” Cade whispered in my ear when the contraction passed, and the rumbling stopped.

“You’re almost there, Bells. Last push for baby one,” Valeria assured me.

I whimpered, but nodded. When I felt the next contraction hit, I pushed with all my might. The ground rumbled. The windows cracked and the panels above us started falling.

“Look out!” I vaguely heard someone scream before I heard a loud thunk. I felt the pressure between my legs subside, and I slumped back in relief.

“The first pup is a girl.” Valerie smiled at me as she handed my pup to the nurse.

A moment later, her tiny cries filled the air and my heart felt like it would burst. Cheers filtered through the door from the waiting room, and the nurse brought my pup to me, laying her on my chest. I couldn’t look away from her perfect face.

“Chris, are you alright?” Violet’s concerned voice brought me out of my happy haze.

“Yeah. I’m good. You’re safe. We’re good.”

I turned to look at where my sister was. A large vent had fallen from above where Violet’s bed was. Thankfully, she and her baby looked unharmed.

“That thing fell on your back,” Violet looked worried, trying to hold onto her baby, and make Chris turn around to look.

Chris humored her, and as he turned around, I noticed the large tear in the back of his shirt.

“It doesn’t hurt. It must have fallen on its side when it hit me.”

“No, that fell right on top of you,” one of the nurses said, pointing at where one of the corners of the vent was bent, a piece of his torn shirt caught on the bent edges.

“There isn’t a scratch on you, baby,” Violet whispered loudly, her hand feeling his back to ensure herself that he wasn’t harmed.

“Maybe it’s the gift?” Cade suggested from behind me. When everyone looked at him, he explained, “Cory told me every mate in your family, and your uncle’s family, receives a gift when they’re marked and mated.”

“What’s the gift?” Violet asked.

“Maybe he’s invincible.”

Chris chuckled at the nurse's suggestion, but no one else was laughing.

“I don’t think the Goddess would make me invincible,” he assured the room.

“Why not?” I asked. “I mean, everyone has gotten some sort of gift that either complements their mate or their talents. Dad shares Mom’s fire. Evie’s gift complements her natural abilities. David shares Areli’s invisibility and Cecilia can levitate by displacing air around her. Violet’s gift is a shield. Defensive. Protective. Like you. Maybe you’re not invincible, maybe theGoddess made you bulletproof. Maybe she made your body a shield of its own.”

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