Chapter 122 Chapter 122 – Stubbornness

Chapter 122 Chapter 122 – Stubbornness
Lilly's POV

I pulled Lex closer, his face inches from mine. He moved in to kiss me, but I murmured the words I’d been so afraid to say: “My water just broke.”

Lex froze, eyes wide, startled. “What did you just say?”

“Lex,” I insisted, pulling his face down to mine, “I’m having the pups NOW!”

His eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, he stood like a statue in the center of the room, as if the world had stopped spinning.

Luna Emily and Ria were at my side in an instant, as if summoned by instinct. They gently took my arms and led me off the dance floor, their presence a balm to my mounting panic.

“Did he go into shock?” I asked, glancing at Lex, who stood rooted to the spot as guests stared in confusion and whispered among themselves.

“Zack will attend to him,” Ria assured me with a gentle squeeze of my hand.

A wheelchair and a doctor were waiting discreetly outside the ballroom, anticipation and anxiety mixing in the air.

“Congratulations, Luna Lilly,” the doctor said with a reassuring smile.

“Thank—”

My thoughts were cut off by the most excruciating pain yet. I let out a scream, my body wracked with tremors.

“We’d better hurry,” the doctor said. “Seems like these pups are ready to meet the world.”

The trip to the infirmary felt endless. Pain rippled through my body at breakneck speed, each contraction more intense than the last. Every bump in the hallway felt magnified, urgency mounting.

“When did Luna start feeling uncomfortable?” the doctor asked quietly.

“This morning,” I answered through gritted teeth. “But I haven’t thought much of it—I’ve been uncomfortable for weeks now.”

The doctor wheeled me into the infirmary, barking orders at the nurses, and rolled me into a private room.

“Goddess, it hurts!” I gasped as another contraction hit. My vision blurred, and for a moment, all I could do was cling to the edge of the bed.

Luna Emily entered quietly and came to my side, rubbing my hand in comfort, grounding me in reality.

The medical team helped me onto the bed. The doctor checked my dilation.

“You’re almost ready, Luna,” he said.

A contraction hit hard, and I arched my back, crying out, every muscle straining.

“Where the hell is Lex?” I snarled, fear and frustration boiling over.

“I… I’ll go call him, Luna,” the doctor stammered, dashing from the room.

“Breathe with me,” Emily coached, and I followed her lead, focusing on the rhythm of her voice. A moment later, my parents rushed in. My mother sprinted to my side, clutching my hand, her presence bringing me strength.

“You’re doing great, sweetie,” she said, wiping sweat from my brow.

“Where is Lex?” I managed between contractions, worry gnawing at me.

“I’m here!” Lex burst in. Emily stepped aside, giving him space, and gestured for Mila to leave with her.

“What took you so long!?” I growled, the pain making me irritable.

“I’m sorry,” he stammered, looking embarrassed. “I… I froze.”

“You went into shock when I needed you most?” I snapped, glaring at him, but gratitude flickered beneath my irritation.

“Yeah,” he admitted sheepishly. “I guess—”

Another wave of pain hit, and a nurse rushed in, eyes wide. “Doctor, she’s crowning!” she called, grabbing blue gloves.

The doctor rushed back, pulled on gloves, and moved closer. “I want you to push with the next contraction.”

When the contraction hit, I pushed as hard as I could. My world shrank to the beating of my heart, the pain, and Lex’s hand gripping mine. A moment later, the first pup’s cry filled the room.

“It’s a boy!” the doctor announced, handing the pup off to a nurse.

Lex tried to follow, but I pulled him back. “You did this to me!” I growled. “You stay right here until it’s over!”

He swallowed hard, nodded, and gripped my hand tighter, eyes shining with awe and worry.

The second pup came quickly, his lungs powerful. The cry sent shivers down my spine.

“It’s a boy,” the doctor said. “Big and strong—like his mother.”

The nurse whisked him away.

I was exhausted—my body ached everywhere, my breathing ragged, but I refused to give up.

“One more,” the doctor announced. Lex’s eyes locked on mine, disbelief and wonder mixing in his gaze.

“Three? Triplets?” he asked, shocked. He’d only known I was having multiples, not three. I’d kept it a surprise, just to see the look on his face.

Before I could answer, another contraction hit, and an angry, tired cry ripped from my lips.

The doctor went quiet, and I knew something was wrong. The room seemed to hold its breath.

“What’s happening, doctor?” Lex demanded, fear sharpening his tone.

“Complications,” he replied. “Normal for multiple births.”

“What kind of complications?” I asked, terror rising inside me, squeezing my heart.

“I’m sorry, Luna,” he said quietly. “But—”

My heart plummeted. Tears welled in my eyes. The third pup was stillborn. Was it my fault? Did I wait too long?

“Hand me the pup,” Luna Emily said, entering the room with quiet authority.

“Luna, she’s—” the doctor began.

“There’s nothing you can do—”

Emily didn’t back down. She held out her arms, waiting. “Do as she tells you,” Lex ordered, voice trembling.

“But Alpha, with all due respect—”

“You’re wasting time!” I roared. “Do as you’re told or, so help me Goddess, I’ll have your head!”

The doctor flinched and quickly, carefully, gave the pup to Emily.

She brushed her finger gently over its face and stepped toward the window.

The blood moon was at its peak, bathing the room in crimson light, casting everything in surreal, otherworldly color.

Emily held the pup in the moon’s rays and began chanting something familiar, ancient words echoing with hope.

“She’s saving her,” I whispered, hope rekindling. Lex turned to me, about to ask what I meant, but at that moment the pup wailed, the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard.

Emily smiled, returning to me. She handed me the pup with pride.

“She has your eyes,” she said softly.

“And your stubbornness,” Lex added, a tearful smile breaking through as we gazed at our miracle.