***
“Stop pacing, Jeremy.” Ryan sighed. “You’re making me dizzy.”
“Are you sure it’s not because of all that magic you used during the faceoff with the warlocks?” Jeremy asked for the umpteenth time. And again Ryan’s answer was the same.
“I don’t know.”
“Maybe after turning Mary into a donkey, the little show-off thinks she’s ready to join the world.” Jeremy snorted. “You’re not ready, you hear me?” Jeremy addressed the stomach of an amused Ryan. “You’re not ready.”
“You said she,” Ryan murmured, staring at his mate with amusement.
“Huh?” Jeremy looked confused.
“You called the baby she.” Ryan laughed softly.
“She, he… who cares,” Jeremy growled low in his throat. ‘Sanders?’ The alpha of alphas snapped on his mind-link with the resident doctor.
‘I was just about to send you a message, Alpha.’ Dr. Sanders responded. ‘We’re all here now.’ He said, referring to himself, Deloris and Mama Cora.
‘We’ll be there soon.’ Jeremy went on a knee beside Ryan who was on his back on the couch. “Hey, shall we?” He drew Ryan into a sitting position.
“I thought you wanted to wait for Philip.” Ryan’s breath came out in short pants.
“He will join us in the hospital when he gets here.”
“How about… oh fuck…” Ryan gasped as a sharp pain visibly jolted him.
“Shit!” Jeremy’s hand shook. “Baby look at me.” He demanded.
“What?” Ryan opened his eyes to look at Jeremy and promptly groaned. “Jer, you look like you’re about to get sick.” He reached out to rub his knuckles against his mate’s cheek. “Relax, it’s passed.”
“I feel so helpless,” Jeremy whispered. “And I hate it.”
“Just seeing you looking all flustered is making my day.” Ryan grinned.
“Ryan…”
“Call your mother.” Ryan sighed as he lay on his back again. “She needs to know what’s going on.”
“She’ll fuss.” Jeremy groaned.
“Your mother is the strongest woman I know, Jeremy,” Ryan said softly as though he were talking to a child. “She will keep both of us sane. In any case, I need her to fuss over me so…” He shrugged. “I’m not moving from this couch till Mum knows what’s going on and is waiting with the others.”
With a groan, Jeremy quickly told his mother what was going on through their mind-link. After telling Gloria to meet them at the hospital, he placed his head on Ryan’s shoulder, took one of Ryan’s hands in his, and waited. The last thing Jeremy wanted was to push Ryan.
“Ready when you are,” Jeremy murmured as he entwined their fingers.
Ryan neither spoke nor moved for a long moment. His occasional groans of pain made Jeremy even more agitated but the alpha of alphas said nothing. He waited. Until Ryan broke the silence.
“Jeremy?” Ryan’s quiet tone made Jeremy raise his head to look down at him.
“Yes, Ryan.”
“You know I’ll probably… I’ll be… exposed to people when I’m… I mean I’ll probably have to go naked at a point during…”
Jeremy leaned down and drew his clearly worried mate into his arms. He knew what Ryan was talking about. That was one thing Jeremy hadn’t been able to accomplish… getting his mate to feel comfortable with his nakedness. Ryan was so sensitive about his dicks Jeremy wasn’t surprised at all that he was worried about the possibility of other people seeing him naked.
“If Sanders is going to perform a Cesarean section as I’m sure he would, then no one is going to see anything,” Jeremy assured his mate quietly. “I’m going to be by your side throughout. And I’ll make sure no one sees it. Promise.”
“Good. I’m ready to go now.”
***
“Hey, Prof.” Philip grinned when he entered one of the three executive rooms of their pack hospital where Ryan was supposed to be resting. It was spacious but very cozy and had all the classy decor, devices, and amenities that made a hospital room a luxurious one.
“Philip.” Ryan smiled as he stretched out a hand to Philip. “How’s Troy doing?”
“He’s great.” Philip took the offered hand and pulled Ryan up into his arms. “You look tired.”
“Been having some pains.” Ryan sighed. “It’s better now though, thanks to whatever Deloris did. It’s still there, but not as bad.”
“Why didn’t Sanders give you something for it?” Philip frowned as he sat on the bed beside Ryan.
“You know doctors.” Ryan snorted. “He wanted to run some tests first. But he did give me something to make me sleep.”
“You’ll be fine. I trust Sanders.”
“So… how did Troy find his journey to the clouds?” Ryan yawned. “Hopefully hearing about how much he enjoyed himself will take my mind off this shitty feeling.”
“I can say for a fact that he loved every minute of it.” Philip chuckled. “But why don’t I bring him to tell you himself?” He gave a naughty grinned.
“I’d love that.” Ryan laughed.
“Good. Get some sleep for now.”
“Council?” Ryan’s eyes were already closed.
“Yet to meet them,” Philip responded smoothly.
“All the best,” Ryan mumbled. “Bring Troy over when you’re coming back.”
“I will.” Philip leaned down to kiss Ryan on the cheek before getting to his feet. Ryan was already breathing evenly. He was asleep.
Philip left the room and headed down the corridor to the office where Jeremy and the others were. He’d been told they were in a meeting but because he wanted to see Ryan, he’d done that first. Philip opened the door to the office and instantly felt the tension in the room. Its occupants… Gloria, Mama Cora, Dr. Sanders, Deloris, and Jeremy looked grim. Everyone was seated except for Jeremy who kept shifting his weight from one foot to the other in obvious agitation. What surprised Philip, however, was the intensity of vulnerability he felt from Jeremy. That was so unlike Jeremy, Philip thought in alarm.
“What’s going on?” The alpha asked, glancing from one face to the other.
“Jeremy wants me to transfer all of Ryan’s pain to him during the cesarean section Doc is about to perform,” Deloris said tensely.
“But it’s not yet full-term….” Philip stared at Dr. Sanders, almost as if he hadn’t heard about his friend’s weird request.
“Well, it’s not supposed to be but after running the tests, let’s just say that kid’s good to go… come… you know what I mean.” Dr. Sanders couldn’t mask the look of wonder in his eyes.
“How about scans?” Philip asked. “Does it show a grown baby?” Werewolves didn’t usually bother with the usual scans that humans were made to undergo throughout their term.
“Although the image is blurred, it appears grown.” Dr. Sanders muttered.
“What do you mean the image is blurred?” Philip frowned.
“We’ve tried five different ultrasound scans, Alpha.” The doctor explained. “It’s obvious there’s a fetus but the image is not clear.”
“Image is not clear…” Philip repeated, unable to mask his confusion.
“Did you hear the part about transferring pain, Alpha Philip?” Deloris rasped.
“Sure. Why not?” Philip shrugged. “You’ve gotta stand by your mate. I would do the same if I were in Jer’s shoes.”
“What?” Deloris’ eyes widened.
“This is childbirth.” Mama Cora looked as though Philip had suddenly sprouted horns. “The carrier of the child must bear every pain. That’s just how it is.” The old woman looked totally appalled by the request. “I’m sorry but what Alpha Jeremy is suggesting is sacrilegious.” Her face was so red it was almost as if she’d rubbed some red paint on her face.