Chapter 182

Olivia

It was supposed to be a celebration, a gathering of friends and family. The party had been my idea, a last hurrah before the twins arrived. But as I stepped outside for some fresh air, a cramp surged through me, leaving me clutching the bottom rung of the treehouse ladder.

“Olivia?” Nathan’s voice held a note of panic. He rushed to my side, his warm hand on my lower back. “What’s wrong?”

The cramp subsided as quickly as it came. I forced a shaky smile.

“It’s nothing,” I replied, feeling the need to reassure him—and myself. “I’m just tired and a bit sore. You know, typical third-trimester stuff.”

He eyed me with a skeptical look flashing through his blue-green eyes but nodded nonetheless. “I thought you looked a little pale earlier,” he said gently, looping his arm around my waist. “Let me help you up to your room. You need to rest.”

I sighed, glancing back towards the lively gathering inside. “But the party, Nathan. I need to tend to our guests.”

He chuckled, his deep blue eyes dancing with amusement. “Liv, you’ve been the perfect host all night. Trust me, people will understand.”

I hesitated for a moment, torn between duty and the undeniable fatigue weighing down my body. But before I could decide, another cramp hit me. It was sharper this time, causing me to double over with a gasp.

Nathan’s amusement vanished. “That’s it. We’re going inside.”

“I’m fine!” I protested weakly. But he wasn’t listening. He pulled out a chair and gently forced me to sit. “Stay here. I’ll get Angela.”

As he rushed inside, I called out to the one thing that was always supposed to be a source of strength and comfort to me: my wolf. The presence that was never there when I truly needed it, unlike other normal werewolves.

“Why?” I murmured, frustrated tears pricking my eyes. “Why do you only come when I kiss Nathan? And even then, you’ve been so distant lately.”

The emptiness inside me, the void where my wolf should have been, remained silent, adding to my sense of isolation.

“I need you,” I whispered, bitterness lacing my words. “Yet you’re not here. You’ve never been here.”

Still no response. When had I ever begun to expect responses, anyway?

The resentment for the dormant spell that kept my wolf away grew. I was supposed to talk to the witch, to see if there was any way that my wolf could be restored before my babies came. But it seemed as though the universe had other plans, because I was almost entirely certain that the babies were coming tonight, no matter how hard I tried to deny it.

I was pulled from my thoughts by the distinct sound of hurried footsteps. Nathan and Angela approached, worry etched on their faces. Now, more than ever, I was grateful to have such a close friend who also happened to be a registered nurse.

“Olivia?” Angela knelt by my side, pressing her cool hand to my forehead.

“I’m fine,” I said, shaking my head and trying to sit up. “It passed. It was just a cramp.”

Angela’s eyes narrowed. “Just a cramp?” she asked. “Olivia, you’re already covered in sweat. How many of these ‘cramps’ have you had in the past ten minutes?”

“Two,” I replied.

Just then, another cramp tore through me, stronger than the last. “Make that three,” I murmured.

And then, as though the universe was deciding to make everything happen all at one, I felt a warm gush of liquid between my legs. My eyes widened with a combination of shock and embarrassment as the liquid soaked my skirt and dripped onto the pavement.

My water had broken.

Angela’s face grew serious. “Nathan, help her up,” she said. “Get her inside, somewhere comfortable. I’ll handle the guests.”

“I’m fine, really,” I lied to myself, struggling to stand. “It’s just…”

“Olivia.” Angela whipped back around, pointing her finger at me with a stern look in her eyes. “I know you’re scared, but you’re in denial. Stop trying to pretend like you’re not in labor, and just let us help you.”

Angela’s words left me feeling like a scolded child. I nodded quickly, watching as she scurried back into the house.

“Come on, Liv,” Nathan said gently, wrapping his arms around me. “I’m right here.”

“I’m scared,” I whispered.

Nathan nodded, his face solemn. “I know, Liv,” he murmured. “But you’re strong. It’ll be okay.”

With his strong arms supporting me, Nathan and I slowly made our way inside. The atmosphere shifted as we entered. Conversations halted. Eyes turned our way. Concern replaced merriment.

Angela cleared her throat, capturing everyone’s attention. “The babies are coming. I need everyone to leave now.”

There was a general murmur of surprise, but most began gathering their things. Except for one old lady, Mrs. Granger. With a huff, she clucked her tongue and began doling out advice.

“You need to boil water!” she declared. “And get some clean towels. Oh, and lay her down flat. Not on the couch. On the floor!”

As the old woman spoke, she hobbled over to where I was standing, pointing her knobby old finger at me. “And you’re going to have to do this without an epidural or any of your fancy ‘pain medications’, dearie,” she chided. “You’ll have to do things the old fashioned way, with blood, sweat, and tears—”

Angela fixed her with a stern gaze, putting herself between us just as I felt myself begin to panic even more. I hadn’t anticipated having to go through the pain of giving birth to not one child, but two, without an epidural.

“Thank you for your input, Mrs. Granger,” Angela said, “but I’ve got it under control. Please leave.”

But the elderly woman was undeterred. “I’ve seen more births in my time than you, young lady. You need—”

“Levi! Clint!” Angela called out, her voice abrasive and shocking enough to leave even old Mrs. Granger reeling.

Just then, Levi and Clint, who had been hovering nearby, took this as their cue. Each taking one of Mrs. Granger’s arms, they gently but firmly began escorting her out.

“Get her on the couch,” Angela said, turning back to face us. She paused then, looking at me, and squeezed my hand gently. “And you’ll be fine. It’ll be over before you know it, okay?”

“W-Wait,” I said as Angela rushed out the door to her car. “W-We’re not doing it here, are we? Nathan?”

Nathan, meanwhile, had laid me down on the couch, pillows propped under my head. He said nothing, even as I begged him to tell me that we would go to the hospital.

As the last of the guests filtered out, Angela was by my side, her medical bag in hand.

She examined me with practiced ease, but I could see the concern in her eyes. “Olivia,” she began, her voice steady but tinged with urgency, “the babies are coming now. We’re going to have to do a home birth.”

A chill ran down my spine. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. It wasn’t part of the plan.

But then again, when had anything gone according to plan?