Page 47 of Snowbound with the Alpha Wolf
Darcy’s jaw dropped. “You?”
“I’ve delivered five babies in my pack.” His gaze locked to Aiden’s, who seemed to struggle with the idea. “Do you trustme?”
A briefnod.
“Good.”
Lovely, capable Darcy shook her head. “You amaze me,Adrian.”
Ordinarily he’d be quite pleased at herpraise, but there was no time. He thought of all the things they’d need for this. Snow billowed outside, a hard wind pushing at the windows in thebedroom.
The baby needed to be kept warm upon birth. He looked at Samantha and Darius. Like in his pack, they were not only the beta couple but best friends to the alpha pair. “Turn up the heat in this bedroom. And then I’ll need warm blankets,disposable sheets, and something to cut thecord.”
“What about something to suction out the baby’s airwaves?” Samanthaasked.
“No. Wiping his face will suffice. Suctioning will only impede his progress on breathing on hisown.”
“Are you sure?” Darius, full of concern butarrogant.
“Yes. Now go.” His voice, low and quiet, carried the lash of command. Darius and Samanthascrambled toobey.
Aiden went to Nia. “C’mon, sweetheart, we can do this. I’ll help you. I’m right here with you, and I’m notleaving.”
Tears shimmered in Nia’s lovely eyes, and she grimaced, holding her stomach. Another contraction? Adrian counted. This was going to be quick. Good thing he was here and knew what to do. Cool, logical thinking overcame him. He forgot about all elseexcept the child he intended to deliver and the couple before him. Aiden, worried, but in control. Nia, scared. Her heartrate soared. He could hear it from where hestood.
He must soothe her and assure her all would bewell.
Giving a reassuring smile at the alpha female, he patted her hand. “It’s going to be fine, Nia. I know this is your first child, but I know what to do. I won’tlet you down.” His gaze included Aiden. “Either of you. Ipromise.”
His gaze shot to Darcy. “I’m going to clean up. Help Aiden get herready.”
In the adjoining bathroom, he scrubbed his hands and arms with the plain soap in the dispenser. Drying his hands, he emerged to find a naked Nia propped up in bed, Aiden behind her, rubbing her belly in long, soothing caresses. Samantha andDarius stood in the corner, the supplies they’d found arranged on thebureau.
He looked at Aiden, who was remarkably pale but calm. “Talk her through the pain. Take deep breaths, Nia,” headvised.
Nia suddenly moaned like an animal. Her facecontorted.
He’d done this five times, and each time was different. Adrian bent down, massaging Nia’s bottom. He saw not the mate of anotheralpha, but a scared and worried female, about to become a mother for the first time. All his training and instincts kicked in as he crooned to Nia. “You’re doing great, Nia. Keeppushing.”
“How can Ihelp?”
Darcy. Quiet, confident. He wanted to trusther.
How could he trust her? She was a creature of the DarkKingdom.
But Nia and Aiden looked at him, and the tensionrose in the room. Darcy hadn’t done anything wrong. Rather, it was his own vow to his people that held him at bay. The Mitchell pack wasn’tinvolved.
Instantly, he knew he needed her presence here. “Go on Nia’s other side. Hold her hand. She can use the assurance of another woman. Keep encouraging her to push when I sayso.”
Darcy sat on the bed, murmuring encouraging sounds thatmade no sense but soundedright.
Nia’s face contorted as she grunted, strained and screamed to deliver her child. Her mate murmured soothing words while Adrian focused on delivering the child, telling Nia topush.
A radio crackled. Darius removed the instrument hanging on his belt. “The midwife’s on her way.” He gave Nia a hopeful look. “I don’t suppose you could hold off on thisfor a few minutes? Maybe think of something else, likebaseball?”
A low growl rumbled from Nia’s chest. Her pretty blue eyes turned amber, her wolf rising. “That’s for men and sex, youdolt!”
Darius drew himself upright. “I’m not a dolt, just trying tohelp.”
