YOUNG MATTHEW

SEVERAL MONTHS LATER

MAURICE'S POV

Stacy is in labour!

She's about to deliver our prince!

My heart is beating fast as I sprint towards the Pack clinic.

I can feel the pain that she's feeling at the moment, but I know that the pain she's feeling is far much worse than the pain that the mate bond is transmitting.

The clinic finally comes in sight and I hurriedly open the door and tracing her scent, I'm able to arrive in her room in just a few seconds.

She's covered in sweat, her face red, her hair disheveled, yet she still manages to steal my breath away the moment I see her.

I run towards her side and I hold her hand, making Maria and my mom to step back.

“She'll be delivering any time soon now, Maurice.” Maria says in excitement, yet nervousness can be traced in her voice.

“The midwife is on her way and I'm sure she'll be here soon.” My mom adds, her hands clasping and blowing them out of restlessness.

I realise that I'm feeling extremely excited too, but at the moment I'm panicking for my mate. She's whimpering in pain as she holds onto my hand tightly.

I place kisses on top of her hand and her forehead to let her know that I'm right beside her, that I'm not going anywhere.

“Stacy, you can do it, okay?” I whisper into her ears and she nods. For the first time, she opens her eyes, and those grey pair of eyes look back at me. She's full of pain, yet she looks so strong.

“It hurts, Maurice, oh gosh!” She says as she winces in pain yet again.

I hold tighter onto her, hoping to transmit my strength to her.

“The midwife is here!” Someone from outside screams and soon enough, I see an elderly lady who I recognise to be Agnes rushing inside.

She quickly prepares all the tools that she's going to need and both Maria and my mom are helping her.

A few minutes later, Stacy is screaming in exhaustive pain and agony and all I can do is to comfort her and try to get her through till the next push.

She screams when she's instructed to push, a shrill sound piercing through all of our ears, but I can feel that the whole Pack is hoping for Luna Stacy's safe delivery.

It's in moments like these when the Pack bond is specifically strong and you can even sense it in the air.

“More strength Stacy! I can see his head!” My mom urges her.

I look at my mom then to Stacy. I wipe the sweat away and hold her hand tighter, planting kisses on her forehead when she takes a small rest in between.

“Push Luna!” Agnes instructs and Stacy does as instructed.

My heart is racing. I have a mixture of emotions and it is between joy and agitation.

I'm waiting in anticipation and here it comes.... The room is filled with the loud cry of a newly born infant making his presence known for the first time in this world.

You may not believe me, but I swear the world stops for a moment when the baby cries.

My heart gets caught in my throat and suddenly I'm dumb.

It feels like the first time I met Stacy, when our eyes met during that rainy night at her worthless Pack. Her innocent grey eyes, her tattered dress...her helpless and weak soul!

Finally, it is Stacy who brings me back to my senses, as always. I haven't noticed that tears have started flowing from my eyes and I haven't noticed that she is now carrying our son.

He's so small....so tiny!

He's so fragile and I know that I have to protect him at all costs.

He's still crying, his voice, although small, is heard throughout the whole room and I start to laugh like a crazy person.

“Stacy, he's here. You did it, honey.” I manage to say as I crouch towards them and observe the baby boy that my beautiful mate is holding in her arms.

Stacy is panting after all the labour that she has been through, but as she carries the baby, her face lights up as if she has already forgotten the pain that she has just gone through.

“Maurice, he's so handsome.” She says, her voice filled with amazement at the life she's currently holding.

I put my arms around her as we both observe our son.

Stacy gently shushes him and pulls him closer to her. “There honey, there, it's okay. It's me, mommy.” She says as she ignores the tears that flow through and she looks at me. “And here is your daddy.”

My face lights up more when she mentions me. “Hey there, little buddy.” I manage to say without stuttering.

Stacy's voice must have soothed him because he slowly stops crying.

“So, what was his name again?” Maria asks from beside us, teary eyed herself.

Stacy and I look at each other and instinctively, we both smile.

“Matthew will be his name.” I answer, grinning from ear to ear. I'm finally happy... I am a proud father to a strong bouncing baby boy! Wow!