Chapter 71 Pain

Chapter 71 Pain
Ava POV
I slept peacefully, curled up against Cain’s warm chest. His arm rested over my waist, heavy and comforting, and his breathing was steady. The room was quiet and dark, the only sound the soft crackle coming from the fireplace. I felt safe. I felt protected. My hand rested over my stomach like it always did these days. I was carrying his child, a child I already loved more than anything. I drifted deeper into sleep, sinking into the warmth around me.
But then the pain came.
It struck so suddenly that it stole the breath straight out of my lungs. A sharp, stabbing pain tore through my tummy like fire burning from the inside. I jerked awake with a loud gasp, my eyes snapping open. For a moment I couldn’t even speak. I could only feel the pain rise, stronger, sharper, unbearable.
Then I screamed.
“Cain!” My voice broke as the pain hit again, stronger than before. “Cain!”
Cain shot up beside me, fully awake in a second. “Ava? What happened?” he asked, his voice rough. 
I clutched my tummy with both hands, curling in on myself. “It hurts,” I cried out. “Cain—it hurts so much!”
He moved fast, pulling back the blankets, his hands shaking slightly. He tried to touch my stomach, but I screamed again, unable to hold it in. The pain exploded through me, making my entire body tremble.
“Ava—look at me,” he said, panicked. “Tell me where it hurts.”
“My stomach—Cain, something is wrong—” I cried out again before I could finish. Tears ran down my face. I felt dizzy and sick, my whole body hot and cold at the same time.
Then it happened.
Warm liquid rushed beneath me. I looked down and saw blood flowing from under my garment. Bright red. Wet. Spreading fast.
My heart stopped.
“No,” I whispered. “No, no, no…”
Cain froze for half a second, shock on his face, then he reacted. “Ava!” he shouted. “You’re bleeding—”
“My baby!” I screamed. “Cain—my baby!”
He didn’t waste a second. He scooped me into his arms, holding me as if I weighed nothing. I cried into his chest, my hands gripping him tightly as more blood soaked through my clothes.
“Hold on,” he breathed, his voice shaking. “Ava, hold on. I’m taking you to the pack hospital. Just stay with me.”
I screamed when the pain tore through me again, but Cain held me tighter and moved even faster. He kicked open our bedroom door, sprinting down the hallway. Warriors standing guard looked shocked, but none dared to question him. Everyone moved out of the way the moment they saw the blood.
Cain didn’t stop running.
“Open the doors!” he roared as we reached the pack hospital.
The midwives inside bowed instantly when they saw him.
“Alpha—”
“She’s bleeding!” Cain said sharply. “Help her! Now!”
They rushed forward, taking me from his arms and placing me on a bed. One midwife raised my garment. Her eyes widened at the amount of blood.
“Prepare the instruments,” she ordered the others. “Hurry.”
Cain was beside me immediately. He held my hand tightly in both of his. His jaw clenched so hard that the muscles jumped along the sides. His eyes were red, full of fear and anger.
“Ava, keep your eyes on me,” he whispered. “I’m right here.”
I wanted to stay calm. I wanted to be strong. But the pain was too much. I screamed again as the midwives worked around me.
“Please,” I begged through my tears. “Save my baby.”
One midwife pressed down gently on my stomach. I cried out in agony, my body jerking from the pain. She exchanged a look with the older midwife. A sad one.
After several long minutes that felt like a lifetime, the older midwife took a step back and bowed her head.
“Alpha…” she said softly. “I’m sorry.”
Cain stiffened. “What are you saying?”
“Ava…” the midwife said gently, looking at me. “You have lost the baby.”
The room went silent.
My breath left my body. I stared at her, my heart twisting painfully in my chest.
“No…” My voice cracked. “No… please don’t say that… please…”
“I’m truly sorry,” she repeated.
I felt something inside me break. A loud sob tore out of my throat. I covered my face with my hands and cried, shaking uncontrollably. My baby… the life I had dreamed about… gone.
Cain’s breathing grew heavy. His eyes darkened with rage and pain.
“Leave,” he ordered the midwife, his voice low and dangerous.
She bowed quickly and walked out, followed by the others.
As soon as they left, Cain sat on the bed and pulled me into his arms. I cried against his chest, unable to stop. He held me tightly, his hand rubbing my back.
“Ava…” he whispered, voice thick. “I’m here. I’m so sorry.”
My tears soaked his shirt. All I could think about was the small life that had been growing inside me. Gone before I even got to hold them.
The door burst open.
“Ava!” Raven cried as she rushed inside.
Her eyes widened when she saw me covered in blood, crying helplessly in Cain’s arms. Tears immediately filled her eyes, and she ran to my side.
“Oh no…” she whispered. “Ava… I’m so sorry…”
I grabbed her hand desperately. “Where… where is your baby?” I sobbed. “Raven, where is your baby?”
Raven’s face crumpled. “Ryan is looking after the baby,” she whispered. 
I cried again, the pain inside worse than anything my body had felt. Raven hugged me from the side, both of us crying.
“I’m sorry, Ava,” she kept saying. “I’m so sorry.”
After a while, my crying slowed into small, weak sobs. I felt empty. Lost. My hands rested over my stomach, but there was nothing there anymore. I swallowed hard, trying to breathe.
Cain stayed right beside me, not letting go.
Then he spoke, his voice calm but firm.
“Ava,” he said. “What did you eat or drink before this happened?”
I wiped my face slowly, still weak. “I… I ate the steak the servant brought,” I said. “The one she served during dinner.”
Raven nodded slowly. “It’s the same steak I had,” she said, frowning. “But I didn’t feel anything. Ava, what did you take before that?”
I blinked, trying to remember.
Then it hit me.
“The drink…” I whispered. “The one Emma offered me.”
Cain’s entire body went still.