Chapter 57 Race Against The Time
Lulu
The heat in my stomach didn’t ease after Sandra channelled her healing energy into me. If anything, it got worse. The contractions came faster, tighter. I bit my lip, swallowing the cry that almost tore out of my throat.
“It can’t be stabilised here,” Sandra said quickly, her face tight with strain. “The after-effect of the Pyromancer’s magic is still active in Lulu’s body. My healing energy is only buying us time.”
Caspian stood in front of me, his jaw clenched. The Pyromancer’s blood still stained his arm. Thin smoke drifted through the air, leftovers from the fire he’d just put out. The forest around us was scorched, the ground slick with water he’d pulled from the earth.
“Evacuate. Now,” he ordered the Gammas. “Front and rear formation.”
I looked up at him. “Caspian… I don’t think I can handle being shaken around like this.”
Another contraction slammed into me. My breath hitched. My body locked up. My hand clutched his arm on instinct.
\[I’ll carry you. Choose my form.\]
His voice came through the mind link — calm, but tight with pressure.
I swallowed. “Human. I need your hands to hold me steady.”
He nodded. Without hesitation, he scooped me up. His arms were solid beneath my back and knees. The pain made my head throb, but I forced my eyes open. I didn’t want to pass out.
“How far to the nearest village?” Gamma Oliver asked.
“Oakhaven,” Caspian replied. “Western route. Thirty minutes if nothing slows us down.”
“That’s too long,” Sandra cut in. “The contractions are regular. We’re running out of time.”
Caspian didn’t answer. He just moved. Faster. His strides were long and steady. Every leap jolted my body. I bit down hard on my lip to stop myself screaming. My chest burned. The heat crawled up my throat, into my head.
\[Breathe. Follow my rhythm.\]
He slowed his breathing so I could match it.
I tried. In. Out. In.
Another contraction hit. The heat in my stomach turned into crushing pressure. My vision blurred. I nearly blacked out.
“Don’t close your eyes,” Sandra called from behind. “Talk to me. Say my name.”
“Sandra,” I whispered. My voice was wrecked.
“Good. Look at me. You’re safe. Your baby is still holding on.”
I swallowed hard. “It… it feels hot inside. Like something’s moving.”
Sandra glanced at Caspian. “The baby’s absorbing the leftover fire energy to survive. It’s making Lulu’s body temperature spike.”
Caspian let out a low growl. I felt his anger surge through the bond. The heat in me flared. Cold sweat soaked my back.
\[I’ll bring your temperature down.\]
His water energy flowed through his touch — not icy, just cool pressure wrapping around my skin. My breathing eased a little.
We pushed through the burnt trees. The smell of smoke was thick. In the distance, oil lamps glowed — a small village of low wooden houses.
“We’ve reached Oakhaven,” Gamma Oliver called.
As we crossed the village boundary, a few elderly shifters stepped out of their homes. Their faces went pale. Some backed away at the sight of blood on the soldiers. Caspian’s aura pressed down on them without him meaning to. I felt their fear.
Caspian drew a breath and reined it in. “We’re from Sapphire Water. My mate is in labour and needs a birthing hut. Now.”
An old woman stepped forward. White hair, sharp eyes. “Follow me. Quickly.”
They led us to a small wooden hut on the edge of the village. Inside was a simple bed, basins of water, clean cloths, dried herbs. No modern equipment. My heart hammered.
“I’m not ready,” I said. “This place—”
“You don’t have a choice,” Sandra said, firm but gentle. “Put her on the bed.”
Caspian lowered me carefully. Another contraction tore through me. I cried out despite myself. My fingers clawed into the sheets. The heat in my stomach flared brutally. Sweat poured down my face.
Sandra checked me quickly. “You’re dilating fast. But the baby’s heartbeat is unstable.”
I turned to Caspian. “I need to shift. My body will be stronger.”
His face tightened. “No. The risk to the baby’s too high.”
If I didn’t shift, I might run out of strength. I fought to keep my head clear.
Sandra looked between us. “If Lulu fully shifts, the pressure on her womb could increase. But if she doesn’t, her body might not cope with the heat and contractions.”
The next contraction ripped a scream from me. The heat surged inside me. My chest felt tight, like I couldn’t get enough air.
Caspian pressed his forehead to mine.
\[Listen to me. I’ll hold your temperature down. Stay human. I’ll channel water through the bond. Don’t let go of my hand.\]
I nodded weakly. “Don’t leave.”
“I’m here.”
He focused, his energy flowing stronger now. Cool pressure wrapped around me again. The fire in my stomach dipped slightly. My breathing steadied, though the pain stayed brutal. I squeezed his hand until my fingers went numb.
“Now, Lulu,” Sandra said. “When the contraction comes, push.”
I gathered what strength I had left. The contraction hit. I pushed. My body shook. My head went light. I nearly fainted.
“The baby’s heartbeat is dropping,” Sandra said fast. “Lulu, focus. Look at me. Breathe. Push again.”
I shut my eyes, then forced them open. I locked onto Caspian’s face. “Don’t let go of me.”
\[I won’t.\]
His water energy didn’t falter.
I pushed again. My throat burned. Tears streamed down my face. The heat surged back. I was so close to giving up.
“Just a bit more,” Sandra urged. “Don’t stop.”
I dragged in a breath. The contraction hit. I pushed. There was a massive pressure — then a brief, shocking relief.
A cry cut through the silence.
The baby was born.
His cry was sharp and strong. I panted, my body shaking. My chest felt empty and heavy at the same time. I opened my eyes as Sandra lifted him, cleaning him quickly. At the back of his neck, a birthmark shaped like flames burned bright against his skin.
“He’s alive,” Sandra said. “A boy.”
I let out a long, broken breath. The world seemed to pause. My tears spilled silently. Caspian exhaled hard, the darkness around him collapsing in an instant. He touched my cheek like I might shatter.
“You’re safe,” he said hoarsely. “Both of you are safe.”
Sandra laid the baby on my chest. His skin was warm. I felt the tiny beat of his heart. I barely dared to breathe, afraid I’d hurt him. His crying softened when I touched his back.
“He’s hot,” I whispered.
“The leftover fire energy is still there,” Sandra said. “But he’s stable. We’ll keep his temperature under control.”
I stared at the flame-shaped mark on his neck. My chest tightened. “I’m scared they’ll hunt him.”
Caspian nodded. “I’ll kill anyone who comes near him.”
I looked at him. “I don’t want my child growing up on the run.”
His gaze dropped. “I won’t let the world touch him.”
We fell quiet. The baby shifted softly against my chest. My breathing finally steadied. My body was wrecked, but the heat in my stomach faded.
A moment later, Gamma Oliver came in, his face tense. “Alpha… the Pyromancers’ bodies in the forest are gone. No tracks. No blood left where they fell.”
The room felt colder.
I hugged my baby tighter.
“That means they’re not dead,” Sandra said quietly.
Caspian growled low, then forced his aura back down. “Or someone took them. Either way, the threat isn’t over.”
I swallowed. “They know my baby is different.”
Caspian met my eyes. “Listen to me, Lulu. I’m your Alpha. I won’t let them take your life for the second time.”
I closed my eyes, holding my son close. The fear hadn’t gone.
But my baby was breathing against my chest.
We were still alive.
If Caspian refuses to give up, then I will keep living too, no matter the expiry date stamped on this heart of mine.