Page 3 of The Dark War

“What kind of mate would I be if I didn’t?” Kane continued, squeezing my hips, rubbing down my legs, and finally washing my hair. His thick fingers rubbed my scalp, which had me rolling my eyes.

“I can’t wait until the pup is here.” I grabbed hold of my stomach again, feeling the pulling sensation in my lower abdomen. “I’m not a very graceful pregnant lady.” I chuckled. Kane hummed, turning me around.

“You are a beautiful pregnant lady, and you are mine.” His lips grazed my cheek, finally reaching lower to my lips. He kissed me sensually as he dug his fingers through my hair. “With that being said, you have a clinic appointment in the next hour,” Kane brushed his nose with mine.

Kane laced our fingers together, helping me down the stairs. He insisted on carrying me, but I refused because my pride was too important. Secretly, I didn’t want to hear a small grunt from him when he picked me up, but as strong as Kane was, that could have been an irrational fear.

The pack house had been cleaned from top to bottom; beautiful granite polished floors in the more formal rooms of the house, such as the guest living room and dining room. The rest of the pack house was decorated modestly with a homely feel, something I wanted from the very beginning when I first walked into the pack house. I wanted kids to run in and out, screaming with laughter, not fearing their alpha and luna as they ran to the enormous entertainment room and now new playroom and daycare area.

That’s right, a daycare area. Seeing so many of the tiny ones relying on the older pups had me scared to death. Now, unmated females and males who loved children got to hold babies all day and care for little ones in one area of the pack house. It was the best idea ever, and the female warriors were ever grateful for it so they could pursue their dreams and have a family.

“Oh, lookie there, they emerged from the shower at a decent time.” Raine flipped a pancake. I glared at her playfully. She knew good and well I was not about to be doing any lovemaking this big.

“Good morning, Raine,” Kane grumbled as he sat down on the large kitchen island that held an assortment of food. The big buffet breakfast happened at six a.m., and leftovers were set in the kitchen area for those who would like to sleep in if they had a late night.

I found myself down here in the early morning while Kane got up early to train, helping with breakfast and eating before the warriors came in, hoarding food and taking it to their room. Raine slapped another pancake on the plate, pushing it toward me.

“You’re gonna need the carbs if you push that baby out soon,” she warned. “Once you go into labor, they don’t let you eat a thing, fearing you will throw up all over the baby.” My face paled while Kane picked me up, setting me in his lap like I was light as a feather.

“She’s teasing,” he cooed, kissing my ear. “Aren’t you, Raine?” Raine bit her lip, shrugging her shoulders, walking away to clean up her mess. Another pain went across my stomach, causing me to grip Kane’s leg too harshly. He took it like a champ and rubbed the back of my head with his large hand.

“Eat some fruit, then I’ll take you to the clinic. Maybe today is the day.” I shuffled in my seat, trying to get comfortable. Even with a padded butt, I had to distribute the fat properly, or the pup would protest.

“Luna!” A tiny voice from the living room ran into the kitchen. Kit had been with us since we had moved into the pack house. His parents were still preparing to move all their things from the Ever Green pack to stay in Bergarian so they could at least be in the same realm as their son before he went off to private training.

Kit ran into the kitchen, huffing and puffing with his hands on his knees. “I didn’t miss it yet?” He marched up to me, putting his hand on my belly. Kane let out a soft growl, his hand now being slowly removed as he looked into his alpha’s eyes.

“Sorry, Luna.” His head bowed.

“Kane, gosh, leave the boy alone. Kit is my protector, remember?” I winked at Kit, who only shyly smiled. “But no, the pup hasn’t come yet. Any day now.” Another pain rippled; this time harder than the ones before. A cry spilled out louder than I expected; Kane was too worried to move me in case it hurt worse. The pain subsided, but my bladder didn’t like the pain, and I leaked all over myself.

“Oh, goddess.” I almost sobbed. “I peed on you!” Kit’s eyes widened, but Kane’s did not, holding me tight.

“That’s not urine, love.” His lips kissed my forehead. “It means our pup is coming. I can even smell their scent now.” Kane’s voice was strained. I knew that voice. He was worried sick, and I felt it through the bond.

How could I not realize my water just broke?!

“Raine, mind-link the pack doctor!” Kane called out. Leia, not far behind us, grabbed cleaning supplies to clean up. My face reddened in embarrassment. How could this happen to me?

“Love, I feel your worry. I am not angry, and there is nothing to be ashamed of,” his statement cut short as I gritted my teeth, trying not to scream. Groaning painfully, Kane’s pace quickened, but the bouncing only made it worse.

“Walk.” I gritted. “Don’t run,hurts!”

Kane was now swiftly walking down the hallway, and quickly, a crowd came behind us. Mostly doctors and nurses and a few wandering eyes of other pregnant women who had check-ups today.

“So, we think your water broke?” the nurse chirped as she put on gloves.

“Itdidbreak,” I said, my teeth still baring while we walked. My fangs even pulled out, Giana feeling the tension in our body. She was ready to let this baby out so she could run. Giana had only been let out a few times before I had heat, and she had been a hot mess ever since then.

“We will check just in case, all right?” she said. I growled, my head turning to the nurse. “Itdidbreak. Now get me in a room!” My luna voice sounded in the hallway. The entire ward stood still, watching the scene unfold. Kane’s patience, wearing thin, gripped me tighter around my legs and back.

“I can smell it on her. It is amniotic fluid,” Kane’s voice clipped, trying to remain calm. “Is your wolf’s nose defective?” Another nurse ran up to us, pushing the questioning nurse away.

“Alpha, Luna, I’m so sorry. She’s training.” She glared at the young nurse. “I agree. She’s in labor. Let’s get her into the room.” A cry left me again until Kane finally set me on the hospital bed, curling up behind me. As new contractions filled my belly, the soft rubbing of Kane’s hand on my stomach kept me calm and even took some of the pain away.

Chapter Two

Kane

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