Chapter 267 Congratulations

Chapter 267 Congratulations


Elara’s POV

The celebration didn’t end.
It shattered.
One second the arena roared with excitement, the energy of the crowd still riding high from the run, and the next everything shifted so fast it almost felt unreal. Selene’s scream cut through the noise first, sharp enough to snap every head in her direction, and before anyone could even process that, Alessia followed.
Labor. Both of them.
At the same time.
“Well,” I muttered under my breath as instinct took over, “that’s one way to steal the spotlight.”
Cassian and Atlas didn’t hesitate. They stayed back without question, their attention already shifting outward, securing the arena and keeping the tournament moving. It wasn’t even a discussion.
It never was.
Inside, though? That was our job.
Kael moved first, scooping Alessia up into his arms with a speed that would have been impressive if not for the fact that he looked like he might pass out at any second. Elias wasn’t far behind, lifting Selene carefully but urgently, his entire focus locked on her like nothing else in the world existed.
“Move,” I said sharply, already turning toward the palace. “Now.”
We didn’t waste a second.
As we rushed inside, I reached out through the mindlink, my thoughts snapping into place as I called for the only three people who mattered right now.
‘Barry. Henry. Elizabeth. Get the room ready. They’re coming in now. Both of them.’
No delay. No questions. Just immediate acknowledgment.
By the time we reached the birthing suite, everything was already set in motion.
The room itself was large, intentionally so. Wide enough to hold multiple beds, multiple healers, and still leave enough space to move without tripping over one another. Two beds had already been prepared side by side, clean linens pulled tight, trays of supplies laid out in careful order.
We weren’t doing this twice.
We were doing it once.
Together.
Kael and Elias set them down carefully, each man hovering for half a second longer than necessary before stepping back just enough to let the doctors in.
Henry moved straight to Selene, his expression calm but focused as he began checking her progress. Barry crossed to Alessia at the same time, already giving instructions as his hands worked quickly and efficiently.
Elizabeth?
She moved between them like a storm wrapped in calm, grabbing what was needed before it was even asked for.
I stepped further into the room, my eyes moving back and forth between both beds, tracking everything at once. Timing. Breathing. Movement. Every detail mattered.
And then the door opened.
Brianna walked in like she had just arrived at a casual gathering instead of walking into a full-blown double labor.
“Do we have babies yet?” she asked, glancing between both beds like she was checking on dinner.
I blinked once. Then shook my head. “Not yet,” I said, though a small smile tugged at my lips despite everything. “But we’re close.”
“Good,” she said, folding her arms loosely as she observed. “I didn’t want to miss it.”
“Of course you didn’t,” I muttered.
Trixie was already at Selene’s side, holding her hand and guiding her through each breath with a calm authority that made it clear she had done this before. Elias stayed on Selene’s other side, his grip firm, his expression locked somewhere between awe and absolute panic.
“Breathe,” Trixie coached. “Slow and steady. You’ve got this.”
Selene nodded through the pain, gripping tighter as another wave built.
I turned toward Alessia, stepping to her side and taking her hand, mirroring what Trixie was doing without needing to think about it. “Hey,” I said, squeezing her fingers gently. “Stay with me. You’re doing good.”
Alessia let out a strained breath, her grip tightening instantly. “This part sucks,” she managed.
I huffed softly. “Yeah, nobody’s ever argued that.”
Kael hovered nearby, and honestly? He looked worse than she did.
Pale. Stiff. Slightly swaying like his body hadn’t decided if it was going to stand or collapse.
Brianna noticed it too. “Are you alright, Kael?” she asked, stepping up beside him and placing a hand on his shoulder. “You look like you’re about to be the next patient.”
He shook his head once.
Didn’t say a word.
That was not reassuring.
“Don’t you dare pass out,” I said without looking at him. “I am not catching you.”
“I’m fine,” he muttered.
“You look like you’re negotiating with death,” Brianna added.
“I said I’m fine.” He mumbled under his breath. 
“Sure you are,” she said, completely unconvinced.
Another contraction hit Alessia, and her entire body tensed as she squeezed my hand harder.
“That’s it,” I said, leaning in slightly. “Focus. Breathe through it.”
Across the room, Selene cried out again, her voice cracking as Henry spoke calmly over her. “You’re doing great,” he said. “Stay with me.”
Everything started moving faster.
Barry suddenly looked up, his focus sharpening as he glanced at Alessia. “Alright,” he said firmly. “Next contraction, I need you to push.”
Alessia nodded, her breathing uneven but determined. “Okay… okay…”
We waited.
The seconds stretched.
Then it hit.
“Now,” Barry instructed.
Alessia pushed, her grip nearly crushing my hand as the room seemed to hold its breath with her.
“Good,” he encouraged. “That’s it, keep going…”
And then relief. 
A cry filled the room.
Barry’s expression softened as he looked up. “Congratulations, momma,” he said gently. “You have a boy.”
A breath I didn’t realize I was holding left me all at once, a smile breaking across my face as I glanced down at Alessia. “You did it,” I said softly.
But the moment didn’t settle. Because right beside us Selene screamed.
My head snapped toward her as Henry shifted, his focus locking in as everything around him seemed to narrow.
One final push.
One final breath.
And then another cry.
Lighter. But just as powerful.
Henry looked up, a small smile forming. “Congratulations, Selene,” he said. “It’s a girl.”