Alphas of Summer: A collection of shifter romances

by Lia Davis

  Anna breathed through it and checked her watch. “That was twenty minutes. Now, before you freak out, we need to time the next few to see if they remain steady,” she said everything evenly and matter-of-factly to keep him calm. He looked like he was about to have an anxiety attack.

  When she had three consecutive twenty-minute pains, he knew they were doomed. His wolf, who was normally a powerful, undefeatable warrior, slunk off to whine in the corner of his mind. Chicken shit.

  Cade took a few calming breaths, unable to think straight. “We need to be ready for this, in case the storm doesn’t let up.” He paced down the hall and back. “All right, give me a minute. I remember reading several stories where they had an emergency birth.”

  When the next contraction started, she checked her watch and timed it. They were still steady at twenty minutes.

  After she had written the time and length down, she checked on Cade. He was much too quiet. “Babe? You okay? You're very pale.”

  “How do women survive childbirth and not die?” He panted holding his stomach.

  Anna covered her mouth and tried not to laugh. She really did, but he looked mortified and had no idea what his future held. “Sweetheart that was small potatoes compared to what it's going to be like in a couple hours. Maybe you should sit for the next one?”

  “I need to get some things together first. Let's see,” he tapped his chin, “I'll boil water and sanitize the scissors for cutting the cord.”

  He was talking to himself in an effort to remain calm more than anything else. While the water heated, he began making a small warming bed. It was really nothing more than a plastic storage container lined with towels. He clipped a lamp on the edge to act as a heat source when the electricity came online.

  Anna watched him as he systematically made a list of things he would need and then went in search of adequate substitutes.

  When the next contraction hit, he sucked in a shocked breath and gripped the edge of the kitchen counter like it was a lifeline. Scrubbing his fingers through his hair, he straightened. The contraction had eased, and he was able to breathe again.

  Panting, he glanced her way, worry etching his handsome face. “How we doing, cher?”

  “Good, they haven’t gotten closer, so we still have a while yet.”

  He scowled as he read his list again. “I don't have an umbilical cord clamp.” Hands on hips, he looked around the kitchen. “I wonder it the twist tie from the loaf of bread would work?”

  Terrified, he would do something wrong, he reached for his phone to call the doctor. “Dammit! I have the doctor’s emergency number in my cell phone, but I have no battery left.”

  “You'll just have to be my knight in shining armor. Don't worry. Babies are tougher than you think. We'll get through this. Besides, think of the stories you will have to tell.”

  Suddenly Cade shouted excitedly. “My dad! I can talk to him telepathically.”

  Anna looked at him skeptically. “Isaac knows how to birth a baby?”

  “No. But Mom is with him, and she has delivered tons of them.”

  Dad? Can you hear me?

  She watched as he concentrated. It looked like the distance was a problem.

  Cade?

  Thank Goddess! I need your help.

  What’s wrong?

  Anna is in labor, and we're trapped on the island by a storm, I need Mom to coach me through this, and you're going to have to be our relay.

  Where's your phone?

  Dead. The power went out, and the battery died.

  Okay, hold on.

  A few minutes later Isaac said, your mother is calling a midwife who lives two miles upstream from the island. If the storm lets up, she will get to you in a flash.

  Cade let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

  That's great. Could you ask her if I could use a twist tie from the bread to clamp the cord? I'm not sure I have anything else available that will create a tight enough squeeze.

  A minute passed. Yes, that should work.

  Great, I think I have everything else. But I really wish Mom were here.

  We're heading back in a few minutes, just putting luggage in the car now. We will get to you as soon as we can.

  Tell Mom she is twenty minutes apart.

  Okay, let me know when you need more information and keep us informed as the pains get closer together.

  Thanks, Dad. You're a lifesaver.

  You're welcome, son. We'll call the family and let everyone know. Take care of Anna and that precious baby. We’ll be there as fast as we can.

  Cade glanced at Anna and caught her staring at him. “Mom said I can use the twist tie if I have to and she is calling a local midwife who is only two miles away. If the storm breaks, she will get to us quickly.” He paused and gave her a heart-stopping smile.

  Needing to touch her, he joined her on the couch. Breathing deeply, he inhaled her warm toast and honey scent as it swirled around him. Just her unique smell could make it difficult to think straight. Placing his palm gently on her belly, he spread his fingers wide. Keeping that hand in place, he curled his other hand around the nape of her neck, pressing and rubbing in a slow massage. “We’ll get through whatever comes. Take some nice deep breaths and relax, cher. I got this.”

  Anna grinned at her mate as he went back to preparing his birthing supplies. His coloring looked better, and he was feeling confident again. For a while there, she’d been afraid he would pass out, and she would have to deliver on her own. She heaved to her other hip trying another position on the couch. Her efforts were a waste of energy. There was no such thing as a comfortable position when in labor.

  Carefully, Anna hid her smile. She could feel Cade’s emotions, and he was teetering back and forth between excitement and terror. She should be more worried than she was. But even stranded on an island, in labor, couldn’t frighten her when she had Cade by her side. Together they could do anything. She knew they would be fine.

  Silently, he gave himself a pep talk. You can do this. Your mate is counting on you. You need to be strong for her.

  He needed to stay focused and follow the tips and instructions he’d learned. Logically, he knew, barring a breech baby, they would be fine. He just needed his shaking knees to understand that.

  The past six hours had been the longest, most painful of his life.

  Closing her eyes, another wave rolled over her abdomen, tightening and pressing hard. She took the long, slow breaths, she learned in class, trying to stay on top of the contraction.

  Cade was struggling to keep a cool head. How was he going to deliver his baby if the pain debilitated him? Once again, he pushed down his concerns. They didn’t have a Dr. Marjorie here, and there was no way for help to get to them. At least not yet. He was all she had, and he’d be damned if he would let her down.

  He gave them both a minute to rest before he stood to help her to her feet. “Come on, let’s get you settled in the bed.”

  “Would you get me a glass full of crushed ice?”

  “Sure, babe, once you’re comfortable.” He crushed a bunch of ice cubes, then paused. Head down, breathing deeply, he steeled himself for the possibility of delivering their baby. He refused to give in to fear and panic. His girls needed him to be strong, and he would die before letting them down.

  Thankfully, he made it to the bedroom and onto the bed before another contraction hit. He didn’t have time to crush more ice if he spilled the cup.

  He felt the telltale tightening that preceded the pain. Gripping the sheet, he tried to breathe through it like Anna did. When it ended, they both moaned, lying like limp noodles on the bed. Beads of sweat seeped into her eyes, and her hair looked like she’d just walked from the shower. She had never been more beautiful.

  He wrapped a hand around her arm and slid lower until he could entwine their fingers. He rubbed gentle circles on her inner wrist, calming and soothing her.

  The next pain behaved differently, it swelled and then swep
t from front to back, growing in strength and length. Throughout it all he continued his slow massage on her inner wrist, lending her what little comfort he could.

  If he weren’t already wrapped around her little finger, he certainly would be now. “I’ll be back in a minute, cher. I need to get the birthing supplies and set it up in here.”

  He had already lined the mattress with plastic and put fresh sheets over that, but he needed the other things he had gathered.

  Suddenly, he remembered something the book said. Based on the change in contractions, she was in transition. It was the most difficult phase but thankfully didn’t last long. The book mentioned this was when women generally wanted to do bodily harm to their husbands. Maybe he should search the area around the bed for weapons.

  A couple of hours ago, they had started closing their eyes and trying to catch a minute or two of sleep between pains. When he came back into the room dawn was breaking outside their window, and a faint light illuminated the room. Now if the storm would break, he would be a happy man.

  Just as he lowered himself next to her, she had another contraction. After it passed, Anna took a cleansing breath and tried to scoot to the edge of the bed.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “I need to pee.” Her bladder was screaming for relief or at least that's what it felt like. Cade helped her to her feet and instantly a rush of warm wetness ran down her legs and pooled around their feet. They both froze, staring at the puddle as time stood still.

  “Now you can begin to worry,” Anna said with a shaky voice.

  “Is that what I think it is? Tell me you waited too long to go to the bathroom,” he pleaded.

  She swatted him hard and scowled. “I would never pee on the floor! My water just broke.”

  “I read about that,” Cade mumbled as he began to pace. “Okay, as soon as the storm clears, I'll hustle you to the hospital.”

  “That would be nice, but unless this storm lets up really soon, we're screwed. I know from experience, once my water breaks, there's no going back and we don’t have a lot of time.”

  Cade needed to see if his mother was close to getting home and out to the island.

  Dad?

  I’m here Cade, how’s Anna?

  We’re in real trouble, tell me you and Mom will be here soon.

  We are still a good hour away and then need to get to the island.

  I don’t know if she can hold out that long. Her water just broke.

  Shit!

  Cade was stunned speechless by his father’s use of foul language.

  Hang on, son. I’m putting the pedal to the metal. Your mother is calling Debbie again to see if she can get to you.

  Thanks, Dad. We will see you soon.

  The contractions were five minutes apart. Cade was hanging in there, but barely. The pain had gotten fierce, but blessedly it ended quickly. Even though he was suffering more than he had ever imagined, he still held her through each pain, trying his hardest to help her relax and offer what comfort he could.

  He groaned as they breathed through yet another pain, counting out loud: one-one thousand…two-one thousand…three-one thousand…and on…until it passed.

  Sucking in a shaky breath, he slumped wearily. Then he pulled himself together and wrung out the cloth he kept in a bucket of water next to the bed. Gently, he wiped sweat from Anna’s brow first and then his own.

  Thirty minutes later, Anna whispered as calmly as possible. “I think it's time. I'm feeling the need to push.”

  Cade stared at her terrified, unable to move or speak. A knock at the door brought him back to his senses. THANK GODDESS! Help had arrived and just in the nick of time. Cade leapt from the bed and ran for the door.

  Just as he reached the threshold of the bedroom, Anna’s lovely face twisted in agony. Sucking in what little breath he could, he forced his legs to move forward. As he jerked open the door, he came face to face with a middle-aged woman holding an old-fashioned doctor’s bag, waiting patiently.

  He didn't even say hello or thank her for coming. “She said she needs to push. Hurry!”

  Nonplussed the woman stepped inside, set her bag on the dining room table, and opened it. “I'll join you shortly.”

  Cade grabbed her bag startling the foolish woman. He stepped closer and got in her space. “You didn’t seem to hear me—I need you to help Anna. NOW.”

  This midwife his mother sent must have a death wish. Her brows rose and then she smiled, actually smiled at him.

  “Let me guess. This is your first?”

  His fingers itched to snap her neck. Luckily, before he could do anything so stupid, pain doubled him over. Pain so excruciating, it sent him to his knees. “Goddess have mercy…” he whimpered, as sweat plastered his T-shirt to his.

  “Try breathing, it helps with the pain,” the midwife suggested in the most unhelpful way.

  Cade glared at her and used her bag to push himself up from the floor. “Do you know who and what I am?”

  Calmly she answered. “Yes, I know who you are.”

  “Then you know I could rip you to shreds in a moment. I suggest you leave your amusement at the door and do your job. NOW!”

  The woman sucked in a shocked breath. “Yes, Mr. Le Beau.” Without another word, she hustled to the bedroom.

  By the time Cade made it back to Anna’s side, another contraction was building. Her eyes widened, and she reached for his hand. As she had all night, she inhaled deeply, then slowly blew out the breath.

  An identical pain slashed through him. Holding his stomach, he squirmed onto his side next to her.

  Anna leaned back and closed her eyes. Her exhaustion beat at him. As he watched over his mate, the midwife snapped on rubber gloves and gave Anna an exam. “You’re right. She’s ready to push. I feel the baby crowning.”

  He gaped at her audacity. Of course, he was right. Did she think he had been joking?

  Now that he had someone to help them through the delivery, he had time to think. In all of his years, he had never imagined he would be experiencing childbirth—literally! Suffering through every pain his mate did. How the hell did women do this? And why the hell would they ever choose to repeat the experience and have more than one child? Hadn’t anyone warned Anna about the pain? You couldn’t tell him women didn’t compare stories about what they went through. He sure as hell would be telling every male in earshot! Wait…she knew, she already had two children. Women are nuts.

  When Anna opened her eyes again, the midwife smiled warmly at her. “I’m Debbie. I’ll be delivering your baby this morning, Mrs. Le Beau.”

  “Hello, Debbie. Thank you for coming.”

  Cade simply inclined his head. He still wasn’t keen on the woman.

  “Would you like to watch as your baby is born, Mr. Le Beau?”

  Cade moved to the end of the bed and took a look between Anna’s legs.

  When he looked up at Anna, his expression must have made it look like it was the nastiest thing he had ever seen.

  “What’s wrong?” panic edged her voice.

  He scrubbed his fingers through his hair. “Nothing is wrong...I just wasn’t prepared for... that.”

  Debbie didn’t even look up as she pulled things from her bag. “The swelling you see is completely normal. It will be pretty again before you know it.”

  “I’m going to reposition you, Mrs. Le Beau. Can you manage to get on your hands and knees facing the wall? Try to brace yourself with your hands on the headboard. We don’t have a proper hospital bed, so I’m going to put you on your knees, gravity will help with the birth in this position. Many doctors and midwives know if you put a mother on her back, she has to work much harder to deliver the baby.” Anna grabbed hold, ready for the next contraction. Her fingers turned white with the vice grip she had as the pain hit, and she bore down.

  Fixing her eyes on her mate, she fought down a scream as the next contraction hit.

  “Shit! It feels like I'm being split in t
wo,” Cade moaned.

  Cade kept one hand on his mate at all times. Skin contact was imperative. He did his best to witness his daughter’s birth as each contraction tore through him.

  “You’re doing great, Mrs. Le Beau.”

  In between pants, she managed, “Call me, Anna. Aaahhh!” Anna cried through gritted teeth as another contraction held her in its grip.

  “The baby’s crowning, I can see the top of her head. With the next contraction, give me a good push.”

  “Aaahhh!” Anna and Cade groaned as one. Securing a solid hold on the headboard she bore down and gave it all she had.

  “You’re doing great, mon amour. You’re almost done,” he chanted, hardly knowing what he said.

  “With this next contraction, I want you to push. Push hard. And when I get to ten, stop pushing. Ready? Push…push!”

  “That's it, Anna. Push! Keep pushing... And let it go,” Debbie coached her.

  Cade groaned as another contraction swamped them. He was exhausted. He couldn’t imagine how Anna kept going.

  His wobbly knees barely holding him upright, he got up from the end of the bed and staggered the few feet to softly kiss her lips. He poured all his love into her through their bond. “You're amazing, mon amour. You take my breath away.”

  Softly, she smiled at him and said, “You are too.”

  “This is it, folks. One more push! Give me a hard one all the way through the pain.”

  She scrunched up her face and pushed, bearing down with everything she had. One…two…three…four, Debbie’s voice sounded far away as she struggled to continue through her utter exhaustion.

  Debbie finally called “ten,” and Anna leaned her head against the headboard, too tired to hold it up.

  “Okay, the baby’s head is out. Just breathe for me, shallow breaths, and don’t push until I ask you to.”

  Cade leaned in and whispered, “Breathe, mon amour. You're swaying and look like your going to pass out.”

  Anna clenched her teeth and concentrated on not pushing. A moan of relief echoed between her and Cade as the contraction passed. But it was a short-lived break as another hit before she could take a breath.

  “One more push and you should be done. Ready? PUSH!” Debbie commanded.