Author: Sasha Summers
Category: Paranormal
Go to read content：https://readnovelfree.com/p/36954_4
The contraction was obvious. Muscles clenched. Her stomach lurched. Skin paled. Heart racing. Ragged Breathing. Sweat. Fear.
“No fear,” Ellen whispered. “You are strong. Be strong.”
Jessa nodded, closing her eyes, and breathed. “Can I walk?”
“Of course.” She helped Jessa up. “Walking will help move things along. Stop when you need to.”
They made a few laps around the room before Finn and Hollis, in deep conversation, joined them. Whatever they were discussing, it wasn’t good. Both moved with a rigid agitation, both wore the same grave expressions, and both of them needed to calm the fuck down—now.
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“You’ll both need to eat a good breakfast today,” she began, drawing their full attention. “Breakfast you’ll make yourselves. Once you’ve cleaned that up, you’ll need to set aside whatever has you both scowling to focus on more important things.”
Finn’s brows rose, a mix of amusement and irritation on his face.
But Hollis understood immediately. “How far apart?” he asked.
She waved her hand, dismissing his immediate need to calculate and quantify. “Close enough.”
“You’re okay?” Finn whispered, drawing his mate into his arms with such tenderness Ellen had to look away.
She’d learned how to lock away frivolous wants like tenderness and affection. After being kept as Cyrus’s personal plaything, she was lucky to be treated with civility—versus outright aggression. When Jessa was kidnapped, Ellen had protected the woman out of instinct. The same instinct that surged within her now.
Jessa nodded, looking far too uncertain.
Life had taught her to be direct and, when necessary, brutally honest. It went against her disposition to be cheerful. Worse, to attempt to inspire or rally. But, dammit, Jessa had to believe she could do this. Fear, now, was a waste of energy she’d need. Whether or not Hollis and Finn believed didn’t matter as long as they acted like they did. Ellen had no doubt.
She smiled, feeling a fool, and spoke with what she hoped was enthusiasm. “She is strong. Before the sun goes down, you will be a father again.” Her gaze darted to Hollis, seeking support. Instead he regarded her with open shock. Her smile gave way to a frown.
Ass.
“When did it start?” Hollis asked, his gaze falling from hers.
“This morning.” Jessa leaned into Finn, her hands tightening on his arms as her stomach drew taut once more. “It’s been getting stronger.”
“Now would be a good time to talk to Olivia about watching Oscar.” Hollis was talking to Finn. “We can’t leave him with Tess.”
Ellen agreed but kept her opinions to herself. Olivia was a new wolf and new to this pack, but she was loyal. Beyond her pairing with Finn’s number two, she’d carved a space for herself and enjoyed every aspect of connecting with her wolf. She understood the gift it was to be a wolf—unlike Hollis and his preoccupation with some attempted cure.
Finn lingered.
“I’ll stay with your mate,” Ellen offered. “It might be best to go to your room? So we don’t wake up the little pup?”
Jessa nodded, hooking her arm with Ellen’s and then leaning against her. “Good idea. Maybe he’ll sleep through it.”
“I’ll be quick.” Finn nodded, practically running from the room.
“You need help?” Hollis trailed behind them, closing the nursery door as everyone left.
“You’re the one with the checklist, Doctor. My plans are to keep her comfortable, but I seem to remember a far more in-depth plan from you?” Teasing him was a wonderful tension reliever.
“Be nice.” Jessa squeezed her hand, coming to a stop in the hallway as another contraction rolled over her. “Please,” she ground out.
“Breathe,” she whispered. “It will all be worth it when you’re holding your baby.” A sudden lump formed in her throat. Wrapped in barbed wire. Making it hard to breathe. It was always there, that pain. Controlling it was sometimes a problem.
…
He wanted to believe that the nerves and looming sense of anticipation were from this. Jessa’s labor was a big deal. But, dammit, he and Ellen had prepared. If there was a problem, something Ellen adamantly refused to consider, they’d come up with a contingency plan for every possible complication. Together, they’d do everything in their power to make sure Jessa and the baby were safe and healthy.
But the more time clicked along, the stronger the sense of foreboding became.