New Beginnings

London

I stared in pure boredom at the bunch of Alphas seated at the oval table in the board room on the left wing. As I watched them tearing at each other's throats about who was supposed to have more territory than the other, I seriously began to regret my decision of each Alpha of the Four Kingdoms being independent of his own affairs, a treaty I signed of not interfering unless in dire situations like a war.

Reece and I exchanged a glance, and he shrugged before returning his attention to the arguing Alphas. It seemed I would have to step in and stop their pointless fights once again.

“Gentlemen,” I called, trying to gain their attention, but when that didn't work, I banged a fist against the table, and that did the trick as they all stopped their bickering to give me full attention.

“Now that I have all your attention, can we wrap this up? I have a pregnant wife that needs me.” I spoke through gritted teeth, my eyes twitching as they all fidgeted in their seats.

“Thank you for your time, Your Majesty,” Jax said, meeting my gaze with his mismatched eyes. I suppressed the scowl that threatened to appear, pinning him with an emotionless stare. To think that I still didn't like him after everything.

“I'm sure we can take it from here,” he reassured with a forced smile.

“Finally!” Fuyu groaned, and I almost chuckled. He despised these meetings even more than I did.

“But-,” one Alpha tried to speak, but Jax silenced him with a glare.

“Good,” I said before standing and walking out without a backward glance. I didn't look forward to these stupid meetings we had once every month, and don't even get me started on the council.

The past eight months have been the best of my life. I couldn't have asked for more. A month into the pregnancy, Blaire and I officially tied the knot. We had her coronation to officially crown her Queen, My Queen, and My Equal.

However, the content smile on my lips turned upside down when I spotted Blaire downstairs with the planners for the upcoming annual Mating Ball. For goddess' sake, this woman was so stubborn. I cursed and rushed downstairs to reach her.

“Why are you down here, love?” Blaire turned wide-eyed, as if she hadn't expected me to catch her downstairs, when I had explicitly told her she should be on bed rest because she had been having back pains and irregular contractions, which the pack doctor says is perfectly normal at this stage of her pregnancy.

The planner quickly bowed and excused herself when she noticed me.

“I was bored, so I thought I could help down here,” Blaire batted her lashes innocently, and I chuckled, wrapping my arm around her shoulder and supporting her very prominent bump with my other hand. How she managed to get downstairs was beyond me, I thought exasperatedly.

“That's enough now; come on.” I ushered her upstairs, ignoring her grumbling protests and taking one step at a time until we reached the top.

When I suggested we move into our own home to start a family, Blaire vehemently objected, only compromising that we would do so after the babies arrived. Instead, I moved us into a different bedroom that didn't require us to walk further into the left wing, as Blaire's feet couldn't handle it.

Pulling the comforter over her, I kissed her forehead before heading to the bathroom to freshen up and change.

***********

Wrapping a towel around my waist, I wiped my hair with a smaller one before standing in front of the bathroom mirror. I cleaned the steam off the mirror with my palm, debating whether or not I needed a shave, but paused when I heard shuffling from the bedroom.

Quickly, I pulled the door open to see Blaire pulling the comforter back and slowly getting down from the bed. I sighed, going over to her and helping her down, and she smiled before gasping.

“What is it?” I asked, panicking. “Are you in pain?” I cupped her bump, and she shook her head, forcing a smile.

“I'm fine; it's just the contractions,” she replied, waving it off and pulling her hair into a messy bun.

“I can call Dr. Anais,” I offered, my brows furrowing with worry, but she shook her head again. I couldn't dare allow Millar near my pregnant mate, so I had requested a female doctor to personally attend to Blaire.

“I just really need to pee,” she mumbled, and I chuckled, nodding and helping her into the bathroom.

“I can take it from here,” she said, going to the toilet and gently lowering herself. Like I said, so stubborn.

“You can go, London,” she chastised, but I wouldn't budge from my position by the bathroom door.

“I can't pee with you staring like a creep,” she grumbled, as if I had never watched her take a dump before.

“You call me when you need me; don't try to do it yourself, please,” I pleaded, and she nodded too quickly. I narrowed my eyes at that, but I closed the door anyway. Sighing, I went into the walk-in closet, pulling on a pair of grey sweats and a white tee.

Picking up a can of hair spray, I stopped mid-air when I thought I heard Blaire's voice.

“London!” Her panic-ridden tone had me dashing into the bathroom to find her looking down at her legs in horror. My eyes followed her gaze to find that her water had broken.

I thought I could handle this since the first day I learned I'd be a father, but nothing prepared me for the torrent of emotions that centred around confusion. Do I call the doctor, or do I comfort my mate?

“Calm the fuck down, London!” Fuyu scolded, exhaling shakily, trying to mask my fear so I could be strong for my mate.

“It's okay, love,” I comforted, taking her arm and leading her back to the bedroom, helping her onto a cushioned seat.

Grabbing my phone, I dialled Dr. Anais's number impatiently until she picked up on the third ring.

“Blaire's water just broke. I don't know what to do; she's in pain. How can I help her?” I rambled, pacing around the room and pulling at the roots of my hair.

“Breathe, Your Highness,” she said, and I could hear shuffling in the background.

“Make her comfortable and get the maids to prepare hot water and towels. I'm almost there,” she added, and I nodded as if she could see me.

Ending the call, I dashed to Blaire's side, my heart squeezing as I saw her eyes scrunch up in pain, beads of sweat gathering on her forehead. I wiped her sweat, smiling to reassure her.

“You can do this, love. You're so strong,” I cooed, helping her into bed and gently brushing back the hair stuck to her forehead due to sweat.

“I'll be back, I promise,” I said, kissing her forehead, to which she nodded.

Dashing outside, I stopped a passing maid who was startled at the urgency of my tone. She bowed and ran off quickly to get things ready. I returned to Blaire, caressing her hair as I showered her with compliments and praise.

Dr. Anais and two nurses burst into the room ten minutes later, three maids rushing in behind them with bowls of hot water and towels.

“I will check how dilated the Luna is,” she quickly informed, cleaning her hands and donning latex gloves. The comforter was pushed back, and Blaire's legs were spread apart. With a surgical scissor, she tore Blaire's underwear off and got to work.

“You are so beautiful,” I whispered, kissing her hand that was tightly gripping mine.

“She's two centimetres dilated,” Dr. Anais announced, and she resumed prepping her tools with the help of the nurses.

Blaire groaned in pain as another contraction hit her, her face turning red as she shut her eyes tightly and exhaled through her mouth. It was maddening to watch her in pain and not be able to do anything about it.

“I'm here, love. I'm never leaving,” I whispered, squeezing her hand as I continued to caress her hair. The excruciating pain continued for the next hour, and I was on the verge of breaking down in a nervous wreck before Dr. Anais announced she was ready for Blaire to push.

You're so strong, baby girl,” I whispered, and she inhaled and exhaled shakily, waiting to push. When Dr. Anais gave the go-ahead, my beautiful mate screamed. I couldn't bear to watch and shut my eyes, holding her hand tightly. However, the piercing cry of a newborn had me snapping my eyes open again.

“It's a girl,” Dr. Anais breathed, with a smile on her face.

“You did it, love,” I grinned, caressing and kissing Blaire's forehead.

With quick precision, the umbilical cord was cut, and our baby was passed to the second nurse, who cleaned and swaddled the screaming baby. There was a moment of reprieve before another contraction hit, sending her into another labour, but this time it was quick.

“It's a boy, Your Majesty,” Dr. Anais announced, and I laughed, holding my wife.

“Thank you so much,” I breathed.

“You're so handsome,” I rambled, my eyes filling up with tears of joy.

The babies were gently placed on Blaire's chest for the mother and children to bond. They quieted down as if they could sense their mama.

“They're so beautiful,” she smiled, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Just like you, love,” I responded, and we shared a laugh.

“I'll call our little boy Neven,” she whispered, staring at our little bundles of joy with love, and I nodded in agreement.

“Perfect,” I whispered, brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead.

“And she will be our little Nova,” Blaire laughed, nodding her head with tears in her eyes.

“Because this is our new beginning,” I murmured, caressing our babies gently. Nova's eyes fluttered open, and I chuckled at the little daddy's girl.

“They're so precious,” Blaire whispered, her voice filled with awe.

“Our little miracles," I murmured, holding my family close as my heart swelled with love and pride.