Page 84 of Never Tamed
The mantra stands.
When the tunnels widen and the air lightens, I sprint for the opening as fast as I can. There’s no ladder. The pinprick of light from the cloudy sky overhead is like a glimpse of a heaven I can’t reach. I glance left and right frantically.
My ribs constrict.
How the fuck am I going to get us both out without a ladder?
Without options, I shift Flora so she can hook her arms behind my neck and her legs around my waist.
“Don’t let go,” I command.
She whimpers in understanding, and I bend my knees. If I can lift her and carry her without help, I can surely jump and get us both out. Right?
I heave a sigh, bracing, and push. Cold air slaps my face.
The first time I jump, I only graze the top. Thank god it’s not a manhole. The two of us would never be able to fit at the same time. And since I’ve given my wolf almost every ounce of control I’d kept from her, I let her have everything. My eyes burn and with a growl, I jump again.
This time, I clear the landing.
Flora’s arms tighten and cut off my air. I land precariously on the edge of the grate, winter wind tangling my hair immediately.
“That’s it,” I whisper. “We’re okay.”
Spotting the car with the engine still running, I stumble toward it. Flora cries out again, her whole body seizing, and I know we don’t have much time. Her contractions are getting closer and more powerful. This baby is here.
“Hey! Hey!”
I jog forward and lift my arm to signal the delta in the driver’s seat.
He jumps out, running to open the back door. “Get her inside! Hurry.”
He helps take Flora off my back and no sooner does her rear touch the leather than she scoots back. Her shoulders press against the opposite window. The delta moves aside and grabs for water and a first aid kit.
Flora bends her knees and spreads her legs open wide. She’s tugging at her pants to get them off.
“Ren!” she yells.
“Right—” I partially shift my hand, claws extending, and help her rip at the fabric.
Her—well, hereverything—is out in the open, and I can already see a dark patch of hair from the baby crowning.
I suck in my next breath.
Holy shit. Shit. Shit. Shit! Another wave of panic crashes through me and the tips of my fingers tingle where the claws sink in. I’m not good in this kind of situation. Give me a fight, and I’ll be able to pull a win out of my ass.
Motherhood? No. Definitely not.
I’ve barely ever been around kids.
Flora’s dark eyes search for mine. Blonde hair tangles around her face with filth and sweat and her cheeks are flushed.
She reaches for my hand and squeezes it hard enough to shatter bone through the next contraction.
“What do I do? What do I do?” I practically screech.
The delta returns with the first aid kit and only stares helplessly at the omega bearing down.
“What’s going on?” I don’t need to turn to know it’s Torin standing behind me, looking in. Especially when he gasps at what he sees. “You’re fucking kidding me. Now? She can’t—Not now!”
