Bella\u00a0<\/p>\n
The house was quiet as I sat in my home office with the soft light of the lamp falling over the papers spread across my desk, reading through a contract I had gone over at least three times already. My eyes followed the words, but my mind was not fully there because it kept drifting down the hallway toward our bedroom, toward Bella.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her pregnancy was at full term. The baby could pop out any moment. It was just a matter of time she went into labor. I had already called Julie from the pack\u2013lands because I didn\u2019t want a human doctor to see my Lycan baby.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She was asleep peacefully in the bedroom. I told myself not to overthink it. Julie had said everything looked fine. Still, I found myself checking the time again, rubbing my palm over my face, and breathing out slowly to calm the restless edge inside me. I had gone twice to check on her. Just when I sat again, it happened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bond tightened suddenly. It was sharp and urgent, like a thread pulled too hard. Pain that was not mine surged through me, strong enough to make my chest seize. I was on my feet before my mind caught up, the chair scraping loudly against the floor as I rushed out of the office.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t stop to turn off the lights. I didn\u2019t grab my phone. I just moved, my heart pounding hard as I reached the bedroom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bella was awake, sitting upright on the bed with her hands gripping the mattress. Her face was pale, and she was breathing slowly, carefully, like she was measuring each breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s starting,\u201d she said softly when she saw me. \u201cI think this is the first contraction.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
ont of her and\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fear and excitement collided inside me together. I went to her immediately, kneeli placing my hands over hers, even though my fingers were shaking. I saw that the bedsheet was soaked. Her water had burst.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you okay?\u201d I asked, my voice rougher. \u201cTell me what you feel.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She nodded, trying to smile. \u201cIt hurts, but it\u2019s okay. It comes and goes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to go to the hospital now!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another wave hit her, and I felt useless standing there, unable to do anything but witness her pain. When it passed, I helped her stand, my arm wrapped firmly around her waist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m right here,\u201d I kept saying, more for myself than for her. \u201cI\u2019ve got you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I helped her change slowly, checking the hospital bag even though I knew everything was already inside. My movements felt clumsy. I called Cindy through mind\u2013link, and asked her to stay with pups until we were back. Then I connected with Brandon mentally.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018Bella is in labor. Tell our wolves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes Alpha!\u201d Brandon replied quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
10:42 Fri, Jan 16\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 145\u00a0<\/p>\n
I called the hospital and then called Julie. She answered immediately, and told me she was already on her\u00a0<\/p>\n
way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
73\u00a0<\/p>\n
The drive to the hospital felt endless and too short at the same time. I kept my eyes locked on the road, driving safely but with purpose. My Lycan paced inside me, urging me to get there faster as I reminded him, I couldn\u2019t make mistakes. Bella held onto the door and breathed through each contraction, and every sound she made felt like it tore straight through me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When we arrived, nurses were already waiting. They took Bella in quickly, and I stayed close, refusing to let them separate us for even a second. Julie arrived not long after. She explained what was happening, what to expect, and what Bella needed to do. Bella listened, nodding, even as pain tightened her features.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The hours that followed blurred together.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bella was far stronger than I had ever imagined. Labor stretched on, long and exhausting, and every contraction made my heart clench. I stood beside her the entire time, holding her hand, wiping her forehead, brushing her hair back when it stuck to her face. I kept talking to her, telling her she was doing well, telling her how proud I was of her, telling her that we were close.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inside, I was barely holding myself together.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Every cry of hers, every gasp, every tremor in her body made my Lycan push forward in frustration. I wanted to take her pain away. I wanted to tear something apart just to release the helplessness building inside me. Instead, I stayed where I was trying to ground myself through her touch, reminding myself that the baby was coming.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After what felt like forever, Julie straightened slightly. She was positioned in between Bella\u2019s legs. She looked at Bella with a focused smile. \u201cAlright,\u201d she said. \u201cOne more push. Just one.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bella looked at me then, her eyes filled with exhaustion and determination. I squeezed la leaned close to her face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can do this,\u201d I said, my voice low and steady. \u201cI\u2019m right here. Breathe with me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
ightly and\u00a0<\/p>\n
She nodded and gathered everything she had left. The room seemed to hold its breath as she pushed, and then-\u00a0<\/p>\n
A cry filled the air.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was loud, strong.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I froze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, I couldn\u2019t move, couldn\u2019t breathe, couldn\u2019t even think. The sound hit me hard, and my vision blurred as tears welled up without warning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Julie smiled broadly. \u201cIt\u2019s a boy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes went to Bella, who had sagged with some relief.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The nurse moved quickly, cleaning him, checking him, and then turning toward me. When she placed him in\u00a0<\/p>\n
10:43 Fri, Jan 16\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 145\u00a0<\/p>\n
my arms, my hands trembled so badly I was afraid I might drop him. He was warm and sold and real, his small body moving with surprising strength. It was the first time I was holding my newborn pup. He was larger and stronger than an average human pup.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stared down at him, my chest tight with emotions. Then I lifted a finger and brushed it gently over his soft, dark hair. He quieted slightly at the touch, his cry fading into small sounds as he settled. My throat closed, and I swallowed hard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKael,\u201d I whispered, the name leaving me naturally, like it had always been waiting. \u201cKael Moore.*\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bond snapped into place instantly, fierce and overwhelming. I felt him, my son, as clearly as I felt Bella. The recognition brought me to my knees.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked over at Bella. She was exhausted, her face pale but peaceful, her eyes shining with emotion as she watched us. I moved closer so she could see him clearly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d I said, my voice breaking. \u201cThank you for giving me the precious gift of my life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned down and kissed her gently, full of reverence and love.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just for a moment then Kael opened his eyes. They were the same deep green as Bella\u2019s, and my breath caught when I saw them. His hair was dark, like mine, and the sight filled me with fierce pride.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Julie laughed softly. \u201cCongratulations,\u201d she said warmly. \u201cHe\u2019s perfect.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stepped out soon after, already moving with purpose. I heard her voice carry down the hallway as she announced that the Lycan King\u2019s heir had arrived. Cheers and excitement followed amongst the wolves who had gathered in the hall below.\u00a0<\/p>\n
afe had\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sat beside Bella, holding Kael carefully, my heart finally calm, knowing that everything changed forever\u2013and that I wouldn\u2019t trade this moment for anything in the world. I kissed Bella\u2019s forehead and said, \u201cI have to go down to show him to my people.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bella nodded with a beatific smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
i\u00a0<\/p>\n
AD\u00a0<\/p>\n
Comment\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland\u2019s breathtaking cold.<\/p>\n
When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown 145 Bella\u00a0 The house was quiet as I sat in my […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-new-world-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23110","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23110"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23110\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23129,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23110\/revisions\/23129"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}