Chapter 77

Chapter 77
Lucien’s POV

My world froze in that moment.

Felicia’s hand shot down to her stomach, her eyes wide with confusion, fear, and something that looked far too much like pain.

Then I saw it.

A dark stain, small at first, began to bloom beneath her dress.

Blood.

Blood coming from between her legs.

“My goddess…” I whispered, already moving toward her.

Her body wobbled slightly as if her knees were threatening to give out. My arms were under her before she could collapse, supporting her trembling frame. The scent of blood hit my nose harder now, raw, sharp, and terrifying.

“CALL THE PACK’S DOCTOR,NOW!” I roared, my voice echoing throughout the hallway like a thunderclap.

Kael darted off without hesitation, sprinting through the corridor like his life depended on it.

My mother, Luna Celestine, gasped and rushed forward. Her hands hovered over Felicia, unsure of where to touch or how to help.

“Is it time?” she asked breathlessly. “Is she going into labor?”

“I—I don’t know!” I admitted, my voice thick with fear I didn’t even know I could feel. “I don’t even know how far along she is.”

Felicia whimpered softly, her eyes barely able to stay open. Her forehead was damp with sweat, her skin paling by the second.

“I don’t… feel right,” she whispered, pressing her hand to her belly.

“You’re going to be okay,” I whispered, brushing her hair away from her face, trying to believe my own words. “Just stay with me, Felicia. Please.”

Darren stood off to the side, stiff and unusually quiet. For once, he didn’t have a smart remark or a bitter glare. He looked… genuinely concerned. That unnerved me more than anything.

“I’ll go prep the healer’s wing,” he muttered, disappearing before I could ask why he suddenly cared.

Kael returned within moments, the doctor trailing close behind him, carrying a leather satchel with urgent precision.

The doctor, an older wolf with sharp eyes and even sharper instincts, dropped to his knees beside us.

“Lay her down, gently,” he ordered, already pulling tools and cloth from his bag.

“She’s bleeding a lot,” I told him. “I don’t know how long. It just started.”

He nodded but didn’t respond, too focused. His hands moved fast, checking her pulse, then feeling her stomach.

“This isn’t normal,” he said under his breath, his tone clipped. “How far along is she?”

“I don’t know the exact month,” I admitted again, frustrated at my own helplessness.

“She’s not due yet, Alpha,” the doctor replied, his frown deepening. “She shouldn’t be going into labor this early. Something’s wrong.”

Felicia whimpered again, louder this time, and her whole body tensed like she was trying to fight the pain but losing.

“Lucien…” she moaned, clutching my arm. “Don’t… leave me.”

“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere,” I whispered fiercely, kissing her forehead. “Just breathe, okay? You’re strong. You’ll get through this.”

The doctor motioned for one of the guards to bring warm water and more cloth. My mother crouched beside Felicia, rubbing her arm, whispering something soothing in her ear.

Kael looked like he wanted to help but didn’t know how. He lingered at the edge of the room like a shadow—his eyes flicking between Felicia and me, his jaw clenched.

“I should have been paying more attention,” I muttered under my breath, guilt gnawing at my insides. “She said she wasn’t feeling right this morning, and I thought it was just..”

“Don’t blame yourself,” my mother said gently. “She’s safe now. You’re here. That’s all that matters.”

But it didn’t feel like enough.

“She’s going into premature labor,” the doctor finally said. “We need to move her to the infirmary, now. If the baby comes too early, we’ll need all available resources.”

I stood up, lifting Felicia into my arms.

Her head lolled against my chest, and I felt her blood soaking into my shirt.

This can’t be happening. Not now.

Not when things were just beginning to fall into place.

“Make way!” I shouted as I carried her through the corridor.

The guards opened the doors to the healer’s wing, and the doctor was already ahead of us, prepping the space. Candles were lit, herbs were burning in pots, and soft cloth had been laid out on a birthing table.

I placed her down carefully, brushing her hair again. Her breathing was shallow, too shallow.

“Stay awake, Felicia,” I said, gripping her hand. “You have to stay awake for me. For the baby.”

“I’m trying,” she gasped, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes.

The doctor ordered my mother and Kael to bring clean towels and herbs for pain. I stood frozen beside Felicia, my heart slamming in my chest like a war drum.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen.

I’d imagined the moment our pup came into the world, calm, joyous, safe.

Not… like this.

Felicia screamed as another wave of pain hit her, arching off the table before the doctor and my mother steadied her.

“She’s dilating fast,” the doctor said grimly. “Much faster than she should be. Something’s forcing this birth.”

My wolf growled inside me, restless and panicked. Something… forcing it?

Could this be magic?

A curse?

“Check for a spell,” I barked. “Something’s wrong. She’s not supposed to be giving birth this soon!”

The doctor blinked, then nodded slowly. “I’ll need the help of a seer. Maybe…”

Suddenly, Felicia let out a blood-curdling scream that made my heart rip in half.

The room was spinning with panic, noise, heat.

And then,

A moment of silence.

Her body slumped against the table. Still breathing… but unconscious.

And then…

A sharp cry pierced the air.

Tiny. Raw. Fragile.

My breath caught in my throat.

“The baby,” the doctor whispered, lifting the small, bloody form in his hands. “It’s a girl.”

I staggered backward, barely able to believe what I was seeing.

My daughter.

My mind rang. 

Girl as how?