Azalea

I couldn’t feel the baby. Only pain and panic. Was Missy okay? Did Liam and Maddox reach her in time? What about the fighting? Was anyone hurt?

“Azalea, I need to know when your contractions started,” Doctor Ron called calmly.

“Liam,” I whimpered. “Liam, I can’t feel the baby.” I opened my eyes and looked into his face. He was filthy and naked from the fighting. Blood stained him, but I didn’t know if it was mine or someone else’s. One eye was brilliantly blue, the other almost black; Gavin was sharing control.

“It’s okay,” Liam said soothingly. “The doctor is here, and we’ll help you both.” His large hand pushed the hair away from my face, which was slick with cold sweat.

“Where’s Missy?” I asked desperately.

“She’s safe, Little Luna. She’s with her mate,” Liam said, his face taut with controlled panic.

“Save the baby, Liam. You have to save the baby,” I pleaded.

“You’re both going home,” he assured me. I looked at Doctor Ron, who approached with scissors in hand. He was on the other side of the makeshift table Liam had laid me on.

“You have to save the baby. The baby is more important,” I implored.

“I’ll do everything I can, Luna,” he said as another wave of pain washed over me. A woman I didn’t recognize stepped beside Liam.

“I need to start an IV,” she said. She moved closer to my head. Another person began draping cloth across my chest, obscuring my body and Doctor Ron.

“What’s going on?” Liam growled as the draping rose above his head.

“Nephew, her best chance is an immediate cesarean. I need to cut her open. Cross that draping, and by Damien’s orders, you will be removed!” Doctor Ron yelled. I felt a prick, then warmth. Heaviness settled over me, but I couldn’t feel anything.

Tears streamed down my face. Terror consumed me. I didn’t want to die, but I was more afraid my baby wouldn’t survive. I closed my eyes and swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Luna, stay awake,” the woman near Liam said. I opened my eyes as Liam gently stroked my hair. He leaned down, resting his forehead against mine.

“Stay with me, baby,” he whispered. “Don’t leave me.”

“Liam,” I breathed.

Missy

“Mom,” I cried softly. Liam disappeared into the tent with Lea in his arms, followed by Doctor Ron. Doctor Ron quickly examined me while Maddox told him Liam was coming with Lea. Just as Doctor Ron was clearing me to leave, someone informed Maddox that Liam was near. Doctor Ron rushed out, and a nurse gave me some clothes. I quickly changed while Maddox shielded me with a blanket. As soon as I was dressed, we left the tent and saw Liam running toward us; Lea looked limp in his arms. I held the tent door open.

As I released the door, Maddox embraced me. The emotion and stress of the past week crashed over me. I refused to be weak, but the thought of Lea or the baby dying was unbearable.

“He did this. He helped them,” I sobbed, my head against Maddox’s. My hands covered his as he held me tightly. “He gave them information!”

“I know,” Maddox said softly, a hardness in his voice.

“He got my brothers captured and us attacked!” I cried.

“He can’t hurt you now,” Maddox said.

“Why? Why would he help them? My father could have helped him!”

“He will never touch you again,” Maddox promised.

“My mother! How could he do this? He was the only one who understood!” I was a ranting mess, releasing the pent-up emotions from my captivity. Everything I couldn’t say before poured out. “What did I do? Weren’t my parents enough? Now my family too?”

Maddox loosened his grip, turning me to face him. His hands cupped my face. “Vlad will never hurt you or anyone again, Missy.”

“She can’t die, Maddox. I can’t lose another mother. She doesn’t deserve this. She’s the best mom!”

“The doctor will do everything he can to help her and the baby, Missy.”

“Junior and Leo can’t lose their mother! They’re just kids. And Liam. He would die without her. She’s our glue, Maddox. She holds us all together!”

“I know, sweetheart. I know.” He wasn’t patronizing or angry; he was just letting me vent. I felt like I was going to burst. Everything inside felt like a storm, and only my mother could calm it.

Maddox pulled me close, my head on his chest. He embraced me tightly, and I did the same. His lips kissed my head gently. “Let it all out,” he whispered.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. The scent of cedarwood and citrus filled my senses. A calming wave washed over me. Pleasant tingles spread across my arms as I hugged his bare torso. The storm broke, and everything felt right.

“Mate,” Holland cooed.

I pulled away sharply. “Maddox,” I said incredulously, staring at him wide-eyed. His hand touched my cheek, and I felt the tingles, the mate bond.

“I told you,” he said before kissing me. The kiss was deep and passionate. I closed my eyes and leaned into his embrace. My wolf rejoiced. Maddox was my mate. He'd rescued me; he’d saved me from the vampires.

He broke the kiss for a moment. I looked into his brown eyes, dazed, then snapped back to reality. I threw myself into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. I kissed him again hungrily. Maddox was my mate!

He kissed me back with equal passion, his hands tracing my body. I didn't want to think, worry, or breathe. I wanted him. My body craved him.

Before we suffocated, Maddox pulled away. “I want to mate you now, sweetheart. But there’s a battle raging nearby.” I nodded, trying to control myself. “Do you accept me as your mate?” he asked, a cocky smile on his face.

“Shut up and kiss me,” I said, mirroring his grin.

Liam

“Stay with me, Little Luna,” I chanted, stroking her head, trying to keep her eyes on me. Her eyes fluttered, and she grew paler.

“What’s taking so long?” I asked, tearing my gaze away for a second. There was no reply, only movement beyond the draping. I returned to Azalea, whose face had relaxed. “How are you feeling, baby?”

“I can’t feel anything,” she murmured.

“Uncle,” I called, terror rising.

“Baby’s out!” he called. I heard frantic instructions. There was no baby cry, unlike with Leo and Junior.

“Is she okay?” Azalea asked weakly.

“We’ll know soon. I’m sure she’s fine,” I said, lacking conviction.

“The pup, the pup, the pup,” Gavin repeated. He wouldn’t calm until we saw our pup.

Someone stepped around the curtain, holding a bundle. “Congratulations, Alpha, Luna. Meet your baby girl.”

My heart stopped. A tiny face peeked from the blankets. Her eyes were closed; she seemed to be sleeping soundly. The nurse carefully gave my daughter to me.

“She needs to be hospitalized. We need to run tests, but you can hold her now,” the woman said. I turned to Azalea; her eyes struggled to focus on the baby.

I brought the baby close to her face. “She’s perfect, just like her mother,” I whispered. Azalea smiled faintly.

“She’s okay,” she whispered.

“You did it, Little Luna. You did it,” I said.

Her eyes fluttered closed. I waited for them to open, but they didn’t. Frantic movement ensued, followed by a monotonous beep. When had they hooked her up to a monitor?

The woman who’d given me my daughter pushed me back. “What’s going on? Azalea, open your eyes!” I cried.

“Liam, Azalea is in distress,” my uncle said calmly. “We need to stabilize her and get her back to the pack. We can only do so much here.”

Missy appeared beside me, Maddox behind her. “Give me the baby, Dad,” she said, holding out her arms. I looked at my precious daughter. My body was torn. I wanted to keep her safe, but Azalea needed me.

“Stay with Mom. We’ll take the baby. You being here will help her,” Missy said. I nodded and handed her the baby. She held her sister tightly and left the tent, giving space to the medical team.

I stood there, unsure what to do.

“Nephew, end this battle. Get everyone out. I need help getting your mate back. Get your Beta and the other Alphas,” my uncle commanded. His leadership was undeniable.

“Don’t let her die,” I growled. I stormed from the tent. Missy and Maddox were outside, huddled around the baby. I ran back to the battlefield.

“Those bloodsucking bastards will pay for taking our mate!” Gavin roared. I agreed. I let him take control as I shifted mid-stride and sprinted back to the estate. The battle was waning.

I tried linking Damien but received no response. Gavin targeted the destroyed front doors. The taste of blood filled our mouths as Gavin tore through the remaining vampires. Many wolves lay wounded or dead, but far more vampires lay beside them.

I cleared the stairs, skidding to a halt at the doorway. Langston and three wolves carried a large body.

“Liam,” Langston called. “It’s Damien.” My heart pounded. “We need to get him to the medical team!” Langston yelled. I nodded. They lifted Damien onto my back. I howled; the other Alphas mirrored it—end this now.

The vampires, not as stupid as we thought, tried to escape. Langston and the others led the way. We moved quickly, but not fast enough. I listened to Damien’s ragged breathing and heartbeat. I prayed he hadn't been bitten or killed.

The other Alphas flanked us as we charged toward the medical tent. I noticed a clearing filled with wounded wolves. There were so many. Maddox ran to us.

“Alpha,” he said urgently.

“Damien needs help now!” I linked him. He nodded and dashed to the tent, calling to my uncle. A man emerged, blood covering his front.

“He’s the Beta of Blood Eclipse. Our Alpha just brought him here,” Maddox said as they approached. Everyone shifted to human form to lift Damien. The doctor had him laid down. He examined him quietly. I shifted back and was given shorts.

Finally, he looked up. “Alpha, I think he may have been bitten.”