Revolting

Boyd carried his precious burden back through the house to one of the smaller bedrooms. Another woman joined the luna, and in seconds they had ripped the quilt of the bed and replaced it with a plastic sheet to protect the mattress. They quickly tucked a sheet back over top of it, and Boyd lowered Daisy onto the bed.

"Where's William?" Daisy panted when her contraction had eased. Her eyes searched the room. "Heath?"

Boyd felt a little stab in his heart, knowing that his mate was looking for other men. Logically he understood they were close friends, but the protective, possessive side of him wanted to growl at the idea of another male being present during this intimate moment.

Nina was helping Daisy remove her wet leggings. "They are in town with Raine," she said apologetically. "It's their play-date day. Shane has already called them, they are on their way."

Daisy nodded, and then clutched her stomach. "Oh goddess, I need to pee," she huffed. Unfortunately, Daisy had one of the rooms that did NOT have its own bathroom. Nina supported her on one side, and Boyd on the other as she shuffled the short distance down the hallway to the bathroom. She had barely perched herself on the toilet when another contraction hit, and she moaned.

"Those are pretty close together," Nina said with a wrinkled brow. "How long have you been having contractions Daisy?"

When the pain eased, Daisy took a few deep breaths. "Since this morning, I think. I didn't think they were the real thing. I thought it was just more Braxton hicks." Daisy had been having the false contractions for the last few weeks, and had learned not to pay attention to the mild cramps. "They just kept getting harder."

Boyd watched helplessly. Every time a new contraction started, his wolf went crazy. His mate was in pain, his mate was frightened, his mate was suffering, and there was absolutely nothing he could do to help her. Daisy couldn't get comfortable. She was in the bed, and then out of the bed, and then back to the toilet, sitting, standing, squatting. Each contraction seemed to be harder and longer than the one before, and Boyd was afraid his little mate wouldn't survive it. Every moan, every cry, every whimper went straight to his heart.

Whatever was asked of him, Boyd willingly did it. If it was to fetch a glass of ice and ginger ale from the girls in the kitchen, he did it. If it was to wipe Daisy's face with a cool damp cloth, he did it. If it was to hold her hand while she made every attempt to break his fingers, he gladly sacrificed his hand.

William and his mate came in at some point, but Boyd was so focused on Daisy that he hardly noticed them. If they hadn't been a mated pair, he never would have tolerated them being in the room. The blonde man squatted beside the bed, and held Daisy's other hand. He brushed her hair out of her face and murmured comforting and encouraging things in her ear. The other man, the one that Boyd knew to be Hannah's brother, was a little more reserved, and seemed uncomfortable with the process that was unfolding.

It seemed like it was going on forever. Daisy was clearly exhausted, and in a great deal of pain. Her face had grown pale and her hair was wet with sweat. At some point Daisy had removed the rest of her clothes, and was now only covered by a thin sheet. Tears leaked down her face with each new contraction, until it seemed like they were one right on top of the other, with no break in between.

"You are close now Daisy," the luna said in a calm, excited voice. You can start pushing as soon as you feel ready."

Daisy shook her head and curled onto her side. "I can't," she cried, "I can't do it."

"Yes you can, Daisy. You have to. This baby is coming whether you are ready or not." Nina continued to speak encouraging words to her, but Daisy just whimpered and gasped for breath.

"Look," William put his face close to hers. "Your mate is here with you. He can help you Daisy, if you let him." William looked over Daisy's head for confirmation from Boyd. Boyd nodded eagerly. "Come on sweetheart, you can do this. You are so strong."

"Lets sit her up," the luna directed. "Boyd, take your shirt off and sit behind her, let her lean back against you."

William and Nina helped Daisy sit up in bed, and Boyd eased himself behind her body, stretching one leg on either side of her body. Heath stuffed a few pillows behind Boyd to cushion his back against the headboard. Daisy leaned back into him, and immediately he felt her exhaustion roll over him. He wished he could whisper to her. He wished he had a voice that could reassure her. But all he could do was smooth back her damp hair, and will his strength into her spent body. "Come on Daisy," Nina said urgently. "On the next contraction!"

Almost as soon as the words left her mouth, Boyd felt all of Daisy's muscles clench. He supported her back as best he could as she curled forward and grabbed at her knees. He held his breath, feeling his heart pound in time with hers. After a long minute she cried out and collapsed back against him.

"That's it, you are doing great Daisy," Nina murmured.

Again and again, the contraction would hit, and Daisy would dig down deep into the reserves of her strength and energy to push, but Boyd sensed that she was quickly depleting herself. What would happen when she couldn't push any more? There was no pack doctor in this small pack. It was a long drive to the nearest human medical center. There was rumored to be a healer in the next pack, but she wasn't at home. Boyd felt panic rising up, and tried desperately to push it down. If he gave in to the fear, Daisy would feel it.

"Don't give up Daisy, give me one more," the luna demanded.

Daisy braced her hands on Boyd's thighs, her fingers gripping into him with bruising intensity as she sucked in a deep breath and then curled forward for one last, final effort. Her deep moan turned into a scream just as the baby erupted from her body with a gush of fluids and blood. Nina was ready to catch, and immediately brought the baby up Daisy's breast.

"Congratulations," Nina beamed at Daisy, and at each of the men in turn. "It's a big, healthy boy."