Page 56 of Ascendant Moon
Scooter interrupted a conversation with the mayor to whisper in Lou’s ear, and the man was suddenly paralyzed with indecision. When the emergency was explained, the honorable mayor hurried to the podium to make an announcement while Scooter pulled Lou towards the door.
“Mister Harmon extends his apology for leaving early, but his wife is in labor. Enjoy the refreshments, folks, and don’t forget to vote in November!”
While the media snapped photos, the crowd clapped and waved, clearing a path as the deputies made their way towards the exit. Outside, Scooter took the keys and shoved Lou into the passenger side. Emergency lights flashing, he pulled out of the lot and made tracks for home while Lou’s growling started up again.
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Donna’s head snapped up as the sound and scent of her mate reached the bedroom. Lou ran up the stairs and gently wrapped her in his arms. Once she relaxed, Erin gave him some instructions.
"Mom needs to shift soon or she’ll end up delivering in human form. Why don’t you join her?”
Lou didn’t argue or fuss as Erin stepped out into the hall, giving them a moment of privacy. They undressed and Lou reassured his mate.
“I love you, and can’t wait to meet our pups. I’ll be right here.”
Donna cupped his face with both hands and kissed him while she still could.
“I’m glad you’re home. Erin knows what to do and so do I. It smells like Jonah and Evie are here, and that will help both of us. Time to shift, sweetheart.”
Lou helped Donna to the floor and they shifted in unison. She licked his face and yipped a signal to those waiting in the hallway. As the couple settled in the nest, in came Jonah and Evie wagging their tails, while Erin, Micah, and Kaylee found spots on the bed. It shouldn’t be long now.
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The packlands buzzed with excitement now that the long-awaited day had arrived. While births were commonplace, each one represented a new beginning and hope for the future. Matings and pups were the cornerstone of shifter society, and everyone took an active interest. Evan and Ben showed the boys pictures from their birth, explaining what Donna’s wolf would be doing soon. Even their Alpha twins wanted to hear how it all worked, soaking up the information and asking good questions.
Donna’s situation was somewhat rare for any pack, given her age, and that Lou was her second mate. Her packmates were ecstatic when she conceived, waiting six long months to see the result of Luna’s special intervention. Everyone knew she carried twins, but the good doctor had declined to ask Jack or Evan to tell her anything more. She wanted to treasure the mystery and be delighted along with everyone else when the time came. People had their own guesses as to what the pups would be, though it really made no difference because they would be loved no matter how things turned out.
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Less than an hour after Lou arrived, Donna passed the mucus plug and active labor began. The contractions were uncomfortable, though not painful, and Donna felt the need to move—pacing back and forth near the nest. Lou walked with her, pausing to lick her face and ears or sniff her hind quarters. Though natural wolves gave birth alone, shifter females preferred to have their mate nearby. Unrelated males were not normally welcome during the birthing process, though Omegas were always the exception.
Jonah had parked himself out of the way, watching quietly while filling the room with his scent. Evie, on the other hand, jumped up on the bed with Micah, Erin, and Kaylee so she could see better. Little Kaylee had no idea what was going on around her, but kicked excitedly when the little wolf licked her hand or scented her. Now that it was past her bedtime, Evie couldn’t stop a series of wide, toothy yawns, though she’d made Erin and Jonah promise to wake her in case she fell asleep.
It wasn’t long before Donna began to whine, legs shaking, as she paced the edge of the nest. Lou’s wolf recognized what was happening, and he remained close, but gave his mate space to move about. Within a few minutes Donna squatted to deliver the first pup, severing the cord with her teeth, dispatching the afterbirth, and licking the little one clean. The newborn’s scent announced to one and all that she’d delivered a Beta male, just like his daddy. Erin recorded the time of birth, took a few photos, and sent a quick text to Ben and Evan with the news.
Happy yips and human smiles greeted the new addition from afar while Donna curled around her babe to keep him warm and allow him to nurse. Lou approached cautiously to sniff his offspring and lick Donna’s face, lifting his muzzle for a short howl of victory. He’d never expected to find a mate or become afather, and now Luna had gifted him with both. There was more to come, of course, as Donna still needed to deliver the second pup, andalmosteveryone settled down to wait.
Excited and curious, Evie forgot what she’d been told about keeping her distance, and the little Omega jumped down from the bed to slowly walk toward mother and son for a closer examination. Predictably, both Donna and Lou growled a warning, and Evie stopped abruptly about three feet away. Head cocked, she sat on her haunches to watch the squirmy pup and sniff the air for clues—all while surrounding the new family with her calming scent. Jonah called her back with a sharp yip, and Evie resumed her former position on the bed to keep watch for the newcomer’s littermate.
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About an hour later
Something was wrong, and the room filled with angsty pheromones.
Donna had gone through the same process three times now, but the little one wouldn’t budge. Stressed and panting, she returned to her Beta pup to wait for another try at delivering his sibling. Lou growled and paced, worried about his mate and their child, but had no idea what to do. As the others looked on helplessly, Lou recalled Luna’s intervention in Donna’s pregnancy and wondered if…
Startling everyone, Lou suddenly shifted and strode to the nearest window. He pulled the drapes aside and yanked the blinds up and out of the way, allowing in a bright shaft of moonlight. Erin seemed to understand and hurried to shut off the lamps. Lou then snatched a clean blanket from the nest,spreading it over the patch of brilliance on the floor. Kneeling by his beloved, he explained what he intended to do.
“I think Luna’s light will help, so I’m going to move you and the pup.”
Donna yipped in assent, willing to try anything at this point. First, he gently lifted his mate to her new position and then returned to transfer his sleeping son. Donna stretched, exposing most of her abdomen to the moonlight. Satisfied for now, Lou shifted and curled around behind his beloved to wait.
Donna immediately felt an energized tingling surrounding and penetrating her body—much like when she had conceived. Minutes slowly passed as she soaked up Luna’s power, feeling stronger and more confident as the next contractions began. No longer afraid, Donna panted lightly as she stood to push. Moments later, the Delta male pup emerged and she set about cleaning him off as the shock of his scent reached everyone in the room. Donna and Lou were now the proud and surprised parents of a True Elder.
Chapter 29
The next morning, Saturday, September 11th
