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“I should be with her.”

“You need to be here.” I place my hand over hers on her stomach. “And if Arlene could walk into this room right now, she'd tell you the same thing. She'd want you to bring our daughter safely into this world, just like she brought Arian safely into the world.”

Selena's face crumples as another tear slips down her cheek. I brush it away before covering her hand with mine. “And remember, everything you feel, our pup feels too. You share your emotions with her.”

Her hand moves slowly over her stomach. “She's scared?”

“She feels you.” I lean closer. “So let her feel us too. Let her feel how much we love her. Let her know we're right here waiting for her.”

Selena looks down at her stomach and takes a shaky breath. Through our bond, I feel her trying to push some of the fear away as she rubs her hand over our daughter. “We're waiting for you, baby.”

I kiss Selena's forehead. “Both of us.”

Her eyes lift to mine. “They're going to save Arlene?”

I can't promise her that. I won't lie to her. “They're doing everything they can.”

Another contraction hits before she can answer. Selena cries out and crushes my hand as her pain floods our bond, sharp and overwhelming. My Lycan pushes forward, desperate to help her.

Mate.

"I know."

I reach through our bond and pull some of Selena's pain into myself.

It hits me all at once, and my knees slam into the floor. “Oh shit! What the fuck?”

Selena stares down at me, breathing hard. “Rylan?”

I grip the side of the bed as pain tears through my stomach and lower back. “What the fuck is this?”

“A contraction!”

“I know what it is!”

“Then why are you asking?”

“Because what the fuck?”

The pain finally begins to ease, and I drag myself back to my feet, staring at my mate with a whole new level of respect.

Her eyes narrow. “What did you do?”

“Took some of your pain.” I tighten my hand around hers. “We're in this together.”

“Rylan...” Her expression softens as she looks at me.

I kiss her forehead. “I'm right here.”

Her eyes fill with tears. “I'm happy you're here. I wouldn't want to do this without you.”

Emotion tightens my throat as I press my forehead against hers. “There's nowhere else I'd be.”

Pup coming, my Lycan says as another pressure builds through our bond.

"I know."

The doctor moves between Selena's legs. “Luna, your baby is coming quickly. On the next contraction, I need you to push.”