Page 1 of Abundant Moon
Prologue
DECEMBER 6, GLADSTONEinfirmary, 2:30 a.m.
“Now, Erin. We’re losing him!”
“But what about...”
“Bag him! I’ve got the patient.”
Erin opened a plain, brown paper bag and held it over the distressed man’s nose and mouth.
“Just breathe into the bag, Cody. You’re going to be fine, and so is your mate.”
Amid the crinkling of crisp paper, Abigail laid back to rest until the next contraction hit. She gave Cody an affectionate smile, more concerned by his anxiety than her own discomfort. Donna gave her a reassuring wink and nod before turning to her mate.
“She’s doing very well, Cody. A few more contractions and it will all be over.”
On cue, Abigail groaned as the next one gripped her midsection. She’d wanted to deliver in wolf form in their own home, but Cody was so nervous about the whole thing she agreed to give birth as a human and under the direct eye of Doctor Follett. Even at that, her poor mate simply couldn’t relax and started to hyperventilate.
As explained well in advance by the good doctor, shifter women were spared the agonizing hours and pain of human childbirth with quick, easy deliveries. Complications were rare, and almost unheard of if they gave birth in wolf form. Unless medically necessary, Donna supported whatever decision the couple made and did her best to make the event as pleasant as possible.
A soft knock on the birthing room door interrupted the process; Jonah’s scent having already announced his arrival. Noting a serious case of bed-head, Erin let him in with a wry smile and he went immediately to comfort Cody. Jonah said nothing as he slipped in behind the poor man, hands resting on tight shoulders. Omega scent washed away the tension, allowing Cody to relax and resume normal breathing. He lowered the paper bag and handed it back to Erin.
“Thank you. Sorry about that, I...”
Erin smiled.
“No worries. I’m told it happens all the time. Why don’t you hold Abigail’s hand and help her through the last of it. The baby’s almost here!”
Cody stood, leaning over the comfortable bed to place a soft kiss on his mate’s forehead. Hand in hand, the next few minutes flew by until Abigail’s body gave the final push. At 2:46 a.m., Perry Lee Erwin made a squalling entrance into the world. With Cody hovering nearby, Donna severed the cord, checked him over, recorded his weight, and wrapped him in a soft white blanket. Meanwhile, Erin took care of the placenta and waited while Abigail shifted to wolf form and back again, removing virtually all evidence of the birthing process.
Perry lay quietly in his mother’s arms, taking in the scents of both parents and the reassuring presence of an Omega. Abigail exposed a nipple and the wispy-haired Beta pup latched on greedily. Cody beamed with pride; all the stress forgotten as he relished his role as a first-time father and leaned down to kiss his mate.
“He looks a lot like you, babe – lucky kid. I love you!”
With a small gesture, Donna herded Erin and Jonah out of the room, giving the family a few minutes alone. Exhausted, Jonah paused at the main entrance before going home. Relieved laughter gave him away and both Donna and Erin joined him.
“I’ve never witnessed a human birth before. I’m glad you called for me.”
Donna gave him a brief hug.
“Thank you for coming so quickly. I know you’ve been working overtime and haven’t been getting enough sleep. For a while there, I feared Cody might need more attention than his mate! You do good work, and you’re more than welcome to attend any births in the future. We still have Katrine, Mandy, and Robyn between now and March.”
Jonah rolled his eyes at the reminder.
“I know! There must have been something in the water around here. Rumor has it the two ofyouare doing some family planning.”
Both mother and daughter blushed and smiled. Donna shook her finger at the cheeky Omega.
“You can tell the wagging tongues I will neither confirm nor deny their gossip. Now, off you go before I decide to give you a prostate exam.”
Flustered, Jonah swept out the door amidst the women’s laughter, making his way home through the snow and back to bed.
