Twelve months later. Faith pov.
Kyle sat on the hospital bed behind me, his legs tucked up either side of my own and I gripped his hands tightly as I leaned back into his chest for support. My breathing was laboured and I was in incredible pain
“Come on Faith push.” the doctor encouraged me.
I was tired and I hurt all over. Sweat dripped from my forehead and my mouth still tasted like vomit from the last contraction when I puked.
I gritted my teeth and pushed with all my might.
“That's it Faith, hold it, hold it.” the doctor coached me.
But I couldn't hold it any longer. I let go of the breath I was holding and I slumped back on Kyle.
“I can't. It hurts too much. I can't do it. Let's try again today” I complained, hoping that they would understand that I couldn't do this.
“Come on baby. It's like we say in training. No pain, no gain.” why did Kyle wait until now to reveal how stupid he was? I was in active labour, it was too late for me to pick brains over beauty now. This was not like training.
“Yes, you can Faith, now when the next contraction comes. I want you to grip on and push for dear life. Are you ready.?” I know he was just doing his job but man I hate the doctor right now.
“No listen to me I'm not ready.” I pant.
Yes, we are. Don't embarrass us. I felt Sapphire lend me her strength.
“Well get ready 'cause here comes the next one.” the doctor says firmly.
Naturally, I gripped Kyle's hands and I pushed as hard as I could. I screamed and shook as I pushed with everything I had in me.
“That's it Faith I see the head. Next contraction I want you to give it your all.”
Once again I slumped back into Kyle. Oh, thank goodness the head is out.
“Ow baby,” Kyle complained as he shook his hand out.
He could not be serious right now.
I turned slowly so that he could get the full effect of my glare. Looked him in the eyes and said.
“No pain, No gain Alpha..” as sarcastically as I could.
“Don't know what I'm going to gain from a broken hand,” he said so quietly I almost missed it.
“I'm sure you will figure it out,” I replied sickly sweetly.
“I feel like I need to push, should I push,” I ask feeling silly.
“Yes Luna, push,” I screamed and screamed as I pushed with all my might. Quickly the room was filled with small cries.
“Congratulations Luna, you did it.” the doctor announced joyfully.
“Oh my goddess I'm a dad.” Kyle cheered.
But my heart clenched. Kyle was sure the curse was broken, but I wasn't.
The doctor placed this little pinkish purple baby boy into my waiting arms. He had hair that looked dark because of all the gunk but that I could tell was actually much lighter, more like Kyle's hair.
I snuggled my baby to my chest and he stopped crying.
“He loves his mom already.” Kyle was smitten already.
“Doctor can you leave the room please.” I choked out.
If a dark curse was going to take my baby then there was nothing anyone could do at this point. And I didn't need an audience for the worse time of my life.
The doctor stripped his gloves us. Bowed respectfully and said
“Of course Luna.” and left us in the room.
“I promise you, Faith. I never felt the curse return.” Kyle gripped me tightly as if he didn't believe the words himself.
Then all I felt was, love, warmth and compassion surrounding me and in front of my very eyes a person or should I say a goddess appeared. I never thought I would meet her.
“ Congratulations on the birth of your special child Faith.” her voice was like the most beautiful melody I had ever heard in my life. It was almost unreal.
“Are you here to take him?” I sobbed.
“No. I'm here to save him.” she walked over and placed a delicate hand on his forehead. His skin glowed under her touch.
“Wait what are you doing to him.” I tried to pull him away from her as I feared for my baby too much to think rationally. But she didn't allow me.
“I have blessed this baby,” she said sweetly. “I have blessed him eternal life. Nothing or no one will ever be able to take you, Faith. And one day should he decide he wants to return to the spirit world, I shall come to collect him and we will cross over together like old friends.”
“But why?” I didn't want to question her but I wanted to understand.
“I have seen all that you have been through Faith, and I have admired your strength greatly. You have long impressed me with your ability to rise above and let go of hate. You are a very special wolf, you deserve to be rewarded, besides I could not stand by and watch you go through this. And if you ever wish to have another, I will return to you, what you have lost.” She couldn't mean? Did she just say?
“Do you mean?” I couldn't bring myself to ask.
“That I will return your first pup to you should you ever choose to have another,” she confirmed
“So the curse is broken?” I felt silly but I couldn't help but ask, my mind couldn't wrap
Itself around what was happening. I had never heard of the moon goddess actually appearing to anyone before.
“The curse is broken.” The moon goddess smiled at me sweetly and then she was gone again.
“Did you hear that Kyle?” I turned to look for my mate, but he just sat there in stunned silence.
“Kyle,” I call his name again.
“Sorry, sorry, I just, was I dreaming or did that just happen?” He was dumbfounded. Truthfully so was I. I can not believe it. The moon goddess herself came to me. And that my pup was going to be okay.
“He’s going to be okay.” I cried happily. . . I have never felt relief so monumental.
“I told you.” Kyle smiled. But I could feel his emotions, he hadn’t been as sure as he would have liked to have me believe and he to felt shaky and scared and relieved all at the same time, just like I did.
“Are you ready to invite our families in?” Kyle asked. Now that we knew he was going to be okay we both felt excited for everyone to meet him.
“Okay.” I let out a shaky breath.
A few minutes later, the doors opened and in walked our family.
“We didn’t even know you had gone into labour.” My mother scolded me with wet eyes.
I felt terrible, I knew how much she wanted to be here with me for this moment, but I was so sure that I was going to lose this perfect little boy and I didn’t want anyone to see me in that state. I didn’t want to feel like I had to be strong in front of everyone.
“Would you like to meet your grandson?” I titled my son in my arms so he was facing them.
As expected everyone oohed and ahhed and cooed in some way as they clamoured around me to get a better look at him.
“He’s perfect.” My dad smiled proudly as he shook Kyle's hand and then placed a loving kiss on my forehead.
“What’s his name?” Amy asked.
“Well, I wanted to honour both of our families. The baby gets Kyle's last name Vasey, and Huntress is a bit of a weird first name so I changed it a little, but his name is Hunter.” I explained.
My parents looked so happy and proud.
“That’s a perfect name.” My mother wiped her eyes and held her hands out.
I know she wanted to hold him, it was extremely hard for me to hand him over but reluctantly I let her take him.
As if he could sense my unease Hunter began to cry and I took him right back. It made my heart feel full when he stopped crying as I snuggled him.
“So he’s a momma’s boy.” Kyle laughed playfully.
“Of course he is,” I say proudly.
Four days later.
“Are you ready to go?” Kyle held onto our son in one hand and our hospital bag in his other. I looked around the hospital room that for the last three nights had been my home. Finally a good memory of this place I thought.
“Yes, now hand me, my baby.” I held my hands out for my son. I never understood what it meant when people said having a child was like having your heart living outside your chest, but I sure did now. I loved him so much.
“I love you, hunter,” I whispered as not to wake him as I placed a kiss on his cute little forehead.
“ I can't believe we get to keep him forever.” I smiled sweetly up at Kyle.
“Come on, let's go introduce him to the pack. Everyone is dying to see him.”
Kyle watched our son adoringly.
I’m glad to see how happy he is because I was trying again for the next one as soon as I got home. I never stopped loving my first pup, and the moon goddess had promised I could have them back, and I was determined to give them the life they deserved.
The whole pack house was waiting for us as we entered the dining hall. Kyle was holding a celebratory breakfast for the whole pack this morning so we could introduce our son before settling him in at home. The room was so heavily decorated with ribbons and balloons that it looked like the colour blue had violently thrown up in here, but the food smelled so delicious it made my mouth water.
Every member of the pack had turned up to meet the next Alpha.
“Congratulations Faith.” Felicity was the first to greet us as we entered the room.
Her hands cradled her bump.
“This will be you soon.” I smiled at her. She was only a few weeks behind me and I couldn’t wait to see what she was having.
“Did it hurt?” Felicity asked. She was nervous about labour, I don’t blame her.
“Immensely. But it was all worth it.” I said not wanting to lie to her.
I handed Hunter back to Kyle, I couldn’t trust myself not to snap at everyone who wanted to take a look at my son, and it was an important tradition introducing a new Alpha to their pack.
Kyle walked Hunter around the room, while I stayed and let the others come to me.
One by one pack members came and congratulated us. Most offered a small gift and while I appreciated their generosity I began to wonder where I was going to keep it all.
“You look happy,” David commented as he came to join Felicity and me.
Happy was an understatement. Everything was finally as it was supposed to be.
.