Chapter 11
Pain!
That is all I can feel gripping my body with terror as I wake up clutching at my sides. I let out a scream as a spasm rocks through my body causing me to curl up as best as I can. Something inside me tells me that something is wrong while tears stream down my face.
“Tate!” I scream out, praying that the sleeping wolf beside me wakes up quickly - I don’t know how much I can endure. Feeling my mate jump out of bed and catching his green orbs glow searching for danger, his eyes soon land on my curled up form. I whimper as another streak of pain shoots through me with tears continuing to flow out.
“What’s wrong Baby?” I see the panic stricken look on Tate’s face as he rushes around the bed and to my side, his hand brushing away my hair that sticks face. My body shivers from the cold sweat now coating my skin as I cry out in pain once again.
“I...I don’t know.” I cry out, fear lacing my voice. I close my eyes as yet another spasm rocks through me. I needed help and I need it now. A light flashes across my closed eyes and I turn to see Tate turning on the light to the room and bringing a cellphone to his ear.
“Doc, have a bed ready at the hospital now.” He orders, ending the call just as swiftly as he started it before stuffing the device into his pocket and gently picking me up. He makes a move to leave but stops as something catches his eyes.
“Fuck.” He curses, panic radiating off of him as I turn to look down at the spot I was just in where a spot of dark red blood greets me. Once again fear grips my heart as I clutch at my pregnant stomach. I pray to all the Gods and Goddesses that are listening that my babies will be okay. Tate rushes out the house as fast as he can go and places me into the passenger side of his Jeep, strapping me in and shutting the door. I watch my frantic mate rush around the vehicle with panic stricken eyes and into the driver’s seat not bothering to put on his seat belt as he speeds out of the drive way.
“Hang on Laina.” He pleads as I scream with pain again. I am grateful for being strapped in as Tate increases the car's speed with each scream and moan of pain that exits my lips, quickly avoiding wolves that cross the road and screaming at them to stay out of the way. Fear and despair lace his voice while he assures me that everything will be okay and to just stay awake. His eyes flicker between my body that is curled in on itself and the road, his knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel. The drive feels like an eternity has passed when the Jeep finally screeches to a stop in front of the building I remember to be the pack hospital. Wolves rush out to greet Tate while he rushes to my side and gingerly takes me out of the passenger seat, the smell of blood lingering in the air.
“Let’s get her to an ultra sound.” A man says, pushing a bed towards Tate and allowing my mate to settle me onto the surface. The group of doctors and nurses rush us inside. My eyes become hazy with pain and all I can do is clutch at Tate’s hand. The next thing I know I am in a large white room; a cold gel being squirted onto my stomach while Tate holds me down. Tears escape from my eyes when I notice the nurse readying an ultrasound machine and a sinking feeling of dread weighs down my heart.
“Alpha you need to stay calm and listen to what my team says.” The man states, his eyes looking sternly at Tate while a nurse does her job. My eyes wander over to a screen, the ultrasound image showing a picture of what I know to be my babies even with my blurry eyes.
“She is going to have to go for emergency surgery now if we are to save their lives.” I hear the nurse state grimly. The scent of blood continues to grow as I feel something pierce my arm and noticing the I.V. dripping fluid into me. Soon the medicine takes effect and drowsiness begins to settle in.
“Baby listen to me! Everything will be fine and when you wake up I will be right here waiting for you.” I hear Tate’s voice as his fingers brush away my tears. He kisses my lips gently and nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck. Finally darkness takes me and the pain disappears. I just hope that my babies are okay.
…
Beep
A soft beeping fills the room causing annoyance to bubble inside me. The pain from earlier is finally gone and all I wanted is to sleep.
Beep
There it goes again and I sigh with exasperation realizing that this sound isn’t going to start until someone turns off the stupid machine making said noise.
Beep
Groaning I open my heavy eyes and see a spotless white ceiling above me. The room is dimly lit making it comfortable for me to open my tired eyes without flinching
Beep
My eyes search around the room looking for where the sound comes from. I notice the strange machines only to land on the one machine causing that annoying noise. A stupid heartbeat monitor glares back at me and I wish that someone would shut it off so that I can return to peace and quiet.
“How are you feeling beautiful?” My head turns to a hoarse voice as I catch Tate smiling at me with relief. He looks haggard and tired, dark circles under his eyes while he moves the chair he is sitting on closer to the bed I lay on.
“I feel numb and not as bloated. Why do I feel normal again?” I answer a frown on my lips. My limbs refuse to move for me to rest my hand on my stomach as usual to feel the twins inside me so I go to turn my head, Tate stopping me and forcing me to look into his eyes.
“Before you look, listen to me.” He says sadly his green eyes tearing up as a sad smile plays at his lips. A bad omen sinks into my heart as he kisses my forehead and takes a deep breath.
“The doctor tried to do everything he could. Only one of them made it.” His words are soft and slow and silence follows as they begin to sink into my hazy mind. With eyes widening and tears blurring my vision before they cascade down my face. My heart begins to break when everything settles.
I lost one.
My babies and I lost one.
“Hush Laina, it’s going to be okay.” Tate consoles climbing into the bed with me and wrapping me in his arms. I clutch at his shirt as I bury my face into his chest letting the heart wrenching sobs out. All the praying I did to save my twins did nothing as one had died on me. I felt like a failure of a mother.
“W-What h-happened?” I hiccup out through my sobs pleadingly. I needed to know how one of the twins died.
“The umbilical cord chocked her to death. Somehow she managed to get it wrapped around her neck and her sister tried to help free her on instinct. It’s why you bled so much.” I couldn’t help but feel pride for the sisterly love the two had built inside my womb but my sobs grow knowing that the two would never grow up together. The daydreams I pictured of two little pups chasing each other around the home Tate and I built in the last few day shatter as sadness takes a hold of me. Knowing they will never grow up together breaks everything inside me while sorrow fills my heart and mind. Suddenly the sound of a tiny wail has my sobs stopping and bringing me back to my senses. Tate sighs, brushing away the stray tears on my face and kissing my eyelids before getting up and making his way to the end of the bed where the sounds of the wailing comes from a wooden basinet. Bending over Tate rises with a something wrapped in a pink bundle with a soft smile on his face slightly bouncing while making his way back to me.
“Hush little one. Mommy just woke up and is hurting too. You’ll be in her arms soon.” He coos as the tiny bundle quiets slightly but continues its cries quietly.
“Is she?” I ask hopefully, my eyes following the tiny crying baby in his arms.
“Yes. She is your- I mean – she is our little girl.” He answers with a loving smile as he passes the bundled up baby into my waiting arms. I couldn’t help but stare down at the little pup, her cries silencing as she settles into my embrace. I smiled at her, swiping tears off of her tiny little face and watching her doze off once again.
“Hi sweetie. Welcome to the world.” I whisper, gently kissing her face while Tate climbs into the bed with us. He wraps his arms around me, letting me lean into his chest as we just sit in the quiet room. Well almost quiet room. That stupid heart beat monitor needed to be destroyed.
“Hello Alpha I- oh Luna you’re awake.” A nurse said as she came in with a bottle suited for a newborn in her hand as she stops at the door smiling at the three of us.
“I was going to come feed the little princess but would you like to?” She asked coming to my side of the bed and extending the bottle towards me.
“Actually I wanted to breast feed her if that’s okay.” I state wanting to refuse the formula filled bottle. I watch as the nurse sends a sympathetic smile my way as she takes on of my hand gently and places the bottle into it before backing away a respectful distance.
“Unfortunately Luna because of the drugs that had to be used you will be unable to breast feed. I’m sorry to ruin your plans.” She says quietly. I understand her meaning knowing that some medicine can affect the breast milk of a nursing mother and nod dejectedly at her. I move the bottle in a more comfortable position in my hand bringing the rubber nipple to my baby’s lips and coax her into accepting her. I smile happily as she proceeds to drink knowing that she will need the nutrients to grow.
“You’re a natural!” The nurse states and I smile at her enthusiasm.
“I used to babysit and help out at the pack hospital at my old Pack. I learned how to care for pups and how to coax newborns into drinking from a bottle.” I answer my eyes never leaving the pup in my arms. I could see the nurse visibly relax with my words. I knew she knew I am sixteen and probably had a feeling that with me being so young I wouldn’t know how to raise my child.
“That’s good to know. The doctor will be in tomorrow morning and another nurse will come to bring the next bottle when you need it. I’ll leave the three of you now to enjoy the rest of you evening. Have a good night Alpha Tate and Luna Laina.” The nurse gives a respectful bow before exiting the room. Tate and I stay silent the both of us enjoying the calm night as our baby sips at her bottle. Soon with the bottle empty and the little pup burped Tate takes her away to have her diaper changed before placing her back into her basinet and crawling back into bed with me. Both of us needed sleep after the last few days we’ve had. Snuggling into my mate’s embrace I close my eyes and let my exhausted body gain the rest it needs.
