Chapter 226 - Epilogue

Chapter 226 - Epilogue
Amaia's POV
"Goddess Luna, are you alright?" Barrett exclaimed as he leaped to his feet. "What's...?" His voice trailed off when he saw the fluids on the floor.
I felt a rush of panic as I followed Barrett's gaze, realizing the gravity of the situation.
"I... I think I need help," I stammered, my heartbeat quickening as I struggled to process what had just happened. "I think it's time, Barrett," I cried out in pain. "Get me to the infirmary. The pup is coming!"
Barrett's eyes widened in shock, and without hesitation, he grabbed my arm, urgency driving his every move. "Hold on, I've got you," he said, his voice steadying as he helped me to my feet, determination etched on his face.
Barrett's eyes glazed over, and a moment later Hugo came running down the stairs.
"Where's the...?" He yelled as he reached us, his expression a mix of concern and confusion.
"The fire?" I asked, looking at him. "You are looking at her."
"Goddess, Luna—" he muttered as his gaze swept over me, seeing the puddle on the floor and the pain crossing my face.
"Get the car!" I yelled when both of them didn't move.
We still needed to drive to the pack hospital—the closest one being Black Matter—because the new packhouse's emergency wing wasn't equipped yet.
"Hold on, Luna," Hugo called out, his voice steady. "We're going to get you there. Just focus on breathing."
Hugo rushed off to get the car; Barrett helped me toward the stairs.
Before I could say anything, he lifted me in his arms and carried me down bridal style. He reached the last step just as Hugo came around the corner with the truck.
"Let's go!" Hugo shouted, flinging open the back door.
I felt a surge of anxiety but also a strange comfort in Barrett's grip as he deposited me gently into the seat.
Time was slipping away, and I could only hope we would reach the hospital in time.
"Step on the gas!" Barrett order. "The pup is coming!"
The trip to the infirmary felt like a lifetime. The contacts were coming in waves. As we sped down the winding road, each bump jolted my nerves, but Barrett's steady focus kept me grounded.
I could hear Hugo's frantic voice in the background on the phone with the doctor.
"Breathe with me," Barrett said, and I couldn't help but laugh through the pain. He was naturally with it. His calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the chaos swirling around us.
I focused on his voice, letting it guide me as we raced toward the hope of help, feeling a flicker of determination spark within me.
"Guess he is the only one with the most experience," Rieka chirped. "We should ask him how many pups he has fathered over the years."
"Seriously, Rieka," I snarled at her. "Can you focus for just a moment?" I snapped, my frustration bubbling over. The urgency of our situation demanded attention, and I couldn't afford any distractions, especially not from her incessant chatter.
"What?" She asked innocently.
"This isn't the time to do small talk! Argh!" I moaned, seeing little black spots swimming in my vision. I clenched my teeth, trying to breathe through the pain as I struggled to keep my focus.
"We're almost there!" Hugo announced. "Two minutes tops."
The tires moaned around a sharp turn, but Hugo managed to keep the truck moving without any incident. I could feel the tension in my body mount with each passing second. Just a little longer, I thought, willing myself to hold on until we reached the infirmary.
The tires screeched to a stop.
Barrett jumped out first, opening the passenger door, and lifted me into his arms. He started up the stairs, where the nurse and doctor already waited with a wheelchair.
I caught a glimpse of Hugo still in the truck, his face a mask of concern. The bright lights of the infirmary flickered overhead, and I felt a mixture of relief and anxiety wash over me.
"Where is Roland?" I asked, searching the doctor's gaze.
"I have no idea, Luna!" The doctor replied. "His mindlink is close! We can't reach him!"
"Find him!" Barrett roared, making the members whimper and submit to the higher power. "Find our Alpha now!"
Pack members rushed in different directions, while Barrett carried me off to the infirmary.
I tried mindlinking Roland myself, but he had shut his mindlink.
"Where the hell is he?" I sobbed as Barrett sat me down on the bed. "He was supposed to get the pups and return."
Barrett turned to Hugo, who just entered, and gave him a nod, and he quickly rushed out of the infirmary.
"Where...! Urgh!" I cried out.
The doctor moved around us, doing his checks. He suddenly stopped, his eyes going wide.
"The pup is crowning," he yelled out. "We need to get him out...."
"No!" I cried out. "Not without Roland by my side!"
"Luna," the doctor said. "If we don't get him out now, he will suffocate and die!"
Fear washed over me. I can't have another pup die! I would never forgive myself.
The urgency in his voice pierced through my panic, and I felt the weight of the moment pressing down on me. With a deep breath, I reluctantly nodded, knowing that the life of my pup depended on swift action, even if it meant facing this terrifying moment alone.
I looked at Barrett as my body shook in fear. He grabbed my hand and held it.
"It's going to be okay, Luna!" Barrett tried to reassure me.
"But Roland is going to miss the birth!" I cried out.
"He'll understand!" he soothed.
"Ready?" The nurse asked.
"Yes," I said, feeling another contraction coming.
As I focused on my breathing, I felt the warmth of Barrett's grip, grounding me amidst the chaos.
With each wave of pain, I reminded myself that this was for my pup, and I steeled my resolve to face whatever came next.
"One, two, three, push!" The doctor exclaimed.
The door suddenly burst open—Roland. He looked bewildered as he searched for me in the sterile room.
Barrett immediately stepped aside and left the room.
"Goddess, I'm sorry!" he muttered, kissing my head.
"You came!" I cried. "It's all that matters."
"Ready?" the doctor asked. "Push!"
A few minutes later the sound of a newborn pup's first cry filled the room. I sobbed and laughed at the same time.
"It's a boy!" The doctor announced. "A healthy little boy!"
Roland quickly followed the doctor and cut the umbilical cord, and a moment later they rested the pup on my chest.
Tears of joy streamed down my face as I gazed at the tiny creature, his soft skin brushing against mine.
Roland beamed beside me, his eyes filled with pride and love, as we took in the miracle we had created together.
"Welcome to the world, little guy," Roland mused as we watched the pup suck on its little fingers.
"He's beautiful," I muttered in awe. "He looks exactly like you."
"He should," Roland said. "He's my pup."
My gaze shifted to Roland, seeing his eyes full of tears.
"You've made me proud," he said. "You have risen from the ashes, my fallen Luna...."


THE END