Page 30 of Saving His Omega
Gods, he was suddenly exhausted. There was no time for him to indulge himself. Once Garth and the others were back on the road, he could return home, take his mate in his arms, and sleep without worry.
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“How long has he been having contractions?”
“I don’t know because he didn’t say anything until they got bad enough for him to cry out.”
Carol and the healer were talking over his head, literally. Tripp reclined on the birthing bed while they stood beside it, watching him writhe in agony. There was no comfort to be had from them because he wouldn’t allow anyone to touch him. All he wanted was his mate’s arms around him as their pup insisted on coming into the world at this horribly inconvenient time. If he couldn’t have Graham, he didn’t want anyone.
The healer sat down next to him. “When did the contractions start, dear?”
Tripp took in a few deep, steadying breaths while he had the chance. “Right after Graham left.” That was mostly true. “Just as”, “right after”, it was a matter of minutes, so who cared about the accuracy?
Graham would.Yes, he had to face that fact. If his mate had known he was starting labor, he wouldn’t have left. Tripp was sure of it. Graham’s sense of duty was too strong and…well, the man he’d come to know and love was so caring, it was impossible to imagine his doing anything else. And that was something that Tripp couldn’t afford to have happen. Blake’s life was at stake. Finding him and bringing him back before their sire got to him was more important that having the comfort of his mate at this time.
He flicked his gaze at Cora. “The pup is coming early. Will she be okay?” The thought of losing his daughter filled him with an indescribable fear. She might have been conceived with a horrible sire, but she was also his. He wanted her more than he had anything before, and better yet, Graham wanted her. They would be a family, a happy one. It was almost too good to be true, so he couldn’t help expecting something terrible to happen.
Cora patted his hand and pulled out her listening device. “She’s only a little early. Don’t worry, she’s developed enough to be fine. Here, let’s check how she’s doing.”
The whooshing sound of the pup’s heart eased his worry.
“See? She’s strong.”
Tripp nodded and fought the urge to keep the device pressed against his belly when the healer moved away. It was his one source of comfort, especially as the next contraction rose. He pressed against the mound of pillows behind him and gritted his teeth to keep from crying out. It was his reaction to the pain that made the others think he was whelping soon. He had to hold it all back until Graham returned. Likewise, his wolf knew to keep quiet. There was no point in calling out to his mate if he weren’t able to help. And he didn’t need a distraction. Saving Blake was the primary consideration at the moment.
The vice-like crush of the contraction made it impossible for him to remain quiet. He let out a long, keening cry that hurt his own ears, while he gripped the sheet beneath him as if it were the only thing keeping him from flying off the bed. His wolf whined, although he was protected from the burden of the birthing pain so long as Tripp remained human. He’d thought to shift in the hopes that it would help or slow the process down. Cora had advised against it. His body needed to conserve energy and whelping as a human was the safest way. The pup, after all, would come out in her human skin and not fur. He just had to suck it all up.
The crest of the pain came, then eased back. He groaned and flopped into the pillows, hoping for a longer respite even though he knew that wasn’t how this whole thing worked.
Cora and Carol peered down at him once more.
The healer nodded once. “They’re coming quicker and lasting longer. The pup will be greeting the world soon.”
“No! She has to wait for her sire to come back.” He knew he was being ridiculous, but he desperately wanted his mate.
“I’m sorry, I don’t think he’s going to make it in time.” Wren delivered the hard news as he walked in. He came over to sit on the side of the bed. “Draco texted and the good news is that they’re all coming home.”
Tripp bolted upright. “Blake too?”
Wren grinned. “Yup. I don’t know what Graham said to your former pack members, but they let your brother go and there was no fight.”
Tripp collapsed against the pillows. “Thank the Gods. Everything is going to be all right now.”
Wren clasped his hand. “Yes, it is, but as fast as they’re hurrying back, I don’t think they’ll make it in time for the whelping.”
Tripp blinked back tears. “You don’t know that.” He ran his free hand over his belly. “It could be hours yet.”
Cora joined them, a sympathetic look on her face. “I don’t think so, dear. Let’s at least get you prepared by taking your clothes off and laying down some towels.” She hesitated. “I can give you something for the pain, as well.”
“No, thanks.”
He tried not to sound petulant. It wasn’t anyone’s fault that he was whelping without his mate. If he’d told the truth from the start, Graham would be there. Besides, the idea of his mate helping him through this was something he only thought possible because Wren had told him Elijah had been with him every step of the way. Certainly Victor wouldn’t have bothered himself with such a servient event. There was little point in missing something he shouldn’t have expected anyway.
He squeezed Wren’s hand. “You’ll stay with me?” Having another omega with him would make him feel better.
“Of course. I’ll be here every second and try to just picture showing her off to your mate and brother when they arrive.”
Tripp nodded with enthusiasm because it would be a wonderful moment. He couldn’t help wishing, however, that his mate sped up while the pup slowed down. It was a fantasy, but as the next contraction rose, he held onto the hope.
