Page 92 of Ember's Claim

Fuck.

I’m about to lose my shit. My dragon struggles against me, mentally fighting for control, and my hands shift into my claws.

“I’m trying,” I say, shaking my head.

And I really fucking am. My dragon is freaking the fuck out, and no matter how I try to force him to relax, it’s just not happening.

Over the last two weeks, Nadia has seen Ember and the babiesthree times.Four,including today. And she mentionedlast time that Ember is measuring way further along than she actually is.

This is all my fault.Wolves aren’t meant to carry a dragon eggandmultiple other babies. This is a disaster in the makings.

I could have waited.

Ishouldhave waited.

And if I had, we wouldn’t be here right now.

Nadia leaves Ember, Anders, and Ember’s mom in the nest to come over to speak to me and Lorcan. She gives a tight smile that betrays her nerves, and it only ratchets my panic even higher.

“First things first,” she says softly. “You’re going to have to calm down, or I’m going to have to remove you.”

My eyes glow, and Lorcan takes a step toward me, like he’s about to zap my ass with magic if necessary.

“I’m perfectly relaxed,” I growl. It’s a terrible lie. Not even remotely believable, but I would do anything to be able to swap places with Ember right now.

“Okay,” Nadia says. “I’ve never actually run into a situation where this has happened, but I believe Ember is going to birth your egg first…” She plants her hands on her hips. “Like today. Maybe tomorrow, but either way, it will be soon.”

My heart stalls.

“What does that mean for the other babies?” I finally manage to choke out.

“I’m hopeful that we will only be delivering the egg today. Dragon’s eggs are generally born about this time, anyway. If all goes to plan, your baby will continue to incubate in the egg, and the rest will gestate where they’re supposed to be—inside Mom.” Nadia gives my arm a squeeze. “Please don't stress. I have Wraith on standby.”

Fuck me.

I barely have time to process her calling the other two babies “the rest” before my mind catches up.

If she has Wraith nearby… Goddamn. Does she think she’s going to need him to keep Ember’s soul attached to her body?

We are done after this.

No more kids for us.

This shit is insanely stressful.

“No more of that negative line of thinking.” Lorcan gives me a shove right in the pec.

Nadia nods. “I’m actually more concerned for the babies than I am for Ember, at least physically. Like I said, Wraith is around, but I’m staying positive, and you should too.”

I shudder out a heavy breath as my eyes ache. Holy fucking shit. I’ve never experienced this overwhelming feeling of helplessness, and I hate it.

“Nadia,” Emerson calls out. She does her best to keep her tone level, but she’s clearly just as worried as the rest of us.

Ember catches my eyes, and she doesn’t even raise her voice when she says, “Get your asses in here and hold my damn hands.”

Lorcan gives me a shove, but I would have gone to her, anyway. Neither my dragon nor I could deny her anything.

Except more kids.

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