Page 69 of Own to Obtain

“Look at her!” he thundered. “I can’t move her while she’s in so much pain!”

“She’s stronger than you think, Kardos,” Rozalia remarked. “The baby isn’t going to come immediately, there is plenty of time to take her.”

“I’m not moving her.”

Rozalia rolled her eyes at Shaya and put her hands on her hips. “Fine. But do you think you could maybe lay her on the bed instead of balancing her on your knee while she is about to give birth?”

Kardos scowled deeply at the older woman, but gently lifted Shaya and lay her down, immediately kneeling beside her and unknowingly blocking Rozalia’s efforts to get to her. The older woman barked at him, which only resulted in moving his thick body a tiny inch to let her squeeze through.

Shaya giggled at the withering looks between them, delighted by their clear, comfortable nature with each other. They’d been like this throughout her entire pregnancy and she found it hilarious and oddly calming. They were both so concerned for her that she couldn’t truly believe anything would go wrong.

Kardos had been right about the wealth of knowledge in the Southern Lands. Some of the women here suffered the most difficult pregnancies and for most the weather for the main challenge. They’d been so eager to support Shaya through her own, sharing potion recipes, sleeping positions, food recommendation, and even sexual positions that helped; she couldn’t believe she’d ever been worried. Shaya had never been part of such a supportive group of women before and had been shocked with the frequency and boldness with which they discussed their own intimate experiences and lives. They never made her feel silly or young or inexperienced by the things she asked or said, and she was able to get an abundance of advice so she knew what to expect.

It still didn’t make the pain any easier, and as Rozalia fussed on one side of her, she stroked her Alpha’s beard as he loomed over the other side of her, his gorgeous tense eyes telling her he was worried.

“Everything will be fine,” she assured him.

“Of course it will,” he said irritably. “I just don’t like seeing you in pain, Shaya. I’ve never liked it.”

She brushed her fingers over his mouth. “The birthing mothers have a wager on how you will deal with this labor. The one with the largest amount is that you’ll faint.”

Kardos scowled while Rozalia laughed heartily. “I should lock them all up,” he muttered.

“I wished I’d known that,” Rozalia said as she pressed a temperature stone against Shaya’s neck. “I would have put in a wager.”

“I should lock you up too,” Kardos remarked.

“Look at me, Kardos,” Shaya said with difficulty as the next contraction arrived. As his eyes returned to her, she breathed deeply. “If I have my oceans, I’ll be all right.”

The labor felt like it lasted an eternity. As part of the custom, family members were encouraged to visit the mother during a long labor, and much to Shaya’s surprise, Kardos’ father, Kelyos, arrived.

“I told Kardos a while ago that I am looking forward to having grandchildren,” he said as he took her hand and sat beside the bed. “I wish Kiona and I had had more children.”

The room was suddenly quiet. Kardos’ father had visited them numerous times since being replaced as high chief, but it was the first time he’d ever mentioned Kardos’ mother.

“Why didn’t you?” Shaya asked.

He shrugged, his face full of regret. “I was very focused on gaining the seat when Kardos was born. I thought we had all the time to grow our family while I was high chief.”

Shaya squeezed his hand to show her support. He had told her privately that it was his biggest regrets that he’d not been around for Kardos’ upbringing and that he hadn’t insisted on his paired mate and son moving to the temple with him. But he was glad at least that Kardos had become high chief. He’d made a big fuss to settle them into the temple, but he was really only ever there to see Kardos.

“I made that mistake also, Father,” Kardos said solemnly. “It is difficult to resist the calling.”

“You have all the time now to help us with ours,” Shaya said. “You will be our first pick to look after them when we have Isles duties to tend to.”

“I think I will have competition for that,” the older man said wryly. “Many Tribe Nyek members are gathered outside the temple. I don’t think the rest of the tribes have even realized you’re in labor yet—but somehow, they know. I think they’re hoping to be allowed to come in a see you.”

Kardos chuckled. “They are her family too.”

“I’m sure the other tribes will argue the same,” his father said.

“And the birthing mothers,” Rozalia added.

They laughed.

“Yes, but they’re something special about Tribe Nyek, isn’t there?” Shaya said slowly.

All three Tribe Nyek members before her looked at each other smiling. “Yes,” they said in unison.

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